Israel: Information on Shlomit; whether it is a form of alternative military service in Israel
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 27 March 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ISR41379.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Israel: Information on Shlomit; whether it is a form of alternative military service in Israel, 27 March 2003, ISR41379.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4db323.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the Website of the International Association for National Youth Service, Israel created the National Civilian Service in 1970 to provide religiously observant Jewish women who are exempted from military conscription the opportunity to volunteer for civilian service (June 2000).
A study titled Impact of Service of National Youth Service Volunteers in Israel by Dr. Reuven Gal of the Israel's Carmel Institute for Social Studies, published on the Global Service Institute's Website, describes Shlomit as "is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1993" (Gal July 2002). The majority of volunteers in Shlomit are ultra-orthodox Jewish women but other volunteers include Jewish and Arab men and women, both religious and secular, who have been excused from military service and who have chosen to volunteer for civilian service for one to two years (ibid.).
Amnesty International, in an urgent action bulletin, states that Israel does not have alternative military service and that those conscripts who are unwilling to serve on the basis of conscientious objection are imprisoned (Amnesty International 31 Jan. 2003). Nevertheless, the report states that,"other conscripts are routinely granted deferral or exemption from performing military service on religious grounds" (ibid.).
For additional information on military service in Israel please see ISR36779.E of 17 April 2001, ISR 39446.F of 28 June 2002 and other earlier Responses.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Amnesty International. 31 January 2003. Urgent Israel: Fengslet for Militaernekting.
Gal, Reuven, Carmel Institute for Social Studies. July 2002. Impact of Service of National
Youth Service Volunteers in Israel. (Global Service Institute)
18 Mar. 2003]
International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS). June 2000. "Israel."
In Country Updates. Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
WNC
Internet sites including:
Peace News
United Nations
War Resisters' International
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