Noam Gur and Alon Gurman are keeping a diary of the week leading up to their refusal to serve in the Israeli military and their likely imprisonment. For their first entry, click here.
Thursday, 13th April, 2012
Alon Gurman (Photo: Activestills)
Today was a day of extreme dichotomy. Starting out with a few old friends contacting me to express their support and wish me luck, I go on to spend the rest of my morning dealing with hate-spammers on our Facebook event for the demonstration on our day of imprisonment. I have quite a bit of experience with this type of harassment, that usually incorporates cursing and racism and renders our event page useless. Eventually we overcome the spammers and the day goes on. Next, I am nervous for the very first time in regard to my imprisonment. I am filled with fear of the unknown, but I remind myself that many have been through much worse and have come out just fine. I relax again. I am suddenly filled with a slightly different anxiety. I feel as if I have already been through quite a bit and am quite glad thinking about being freed eventually.
I’ve also been dealing with criticism regarding my contribution to society, or at times – the state. Noam and myself haven’t addressed the subject publicly as we chose to focus our message on the oppression of Palestinians by Israel and its military. First, I’ll state with no apologies that I have no affinity to nations or states, and do not wish to contribute to such. Second, in relation to the “civil service” (a voluntary program for people who did not serve in the military) – I have considered taking part in such, but not out of obligation or need to fill a void of contribution to society left empty by my refusal. I take part in voluntary work, but do not feel the need to apologize for not serving and substitute my service for anything. My refusal is a contribution to society, and in my eyes – serving the Israeli military is not. -Alon
My refusal is a contribution to society
absolutely Alon.
Not only to Israeli/Palestinian society, but to humanity as a whole.
Very well said, Alon. There is nothing wrong with volunteer work, but the concept of “national service” (as voluntary, non-military, alternative service is called in Israel) is, in itself, part of the hegemony of the “hevrah meguyeset” (“drafted society”) that you and Noam and others are trying to contest. Furthermore, asking you about “national service” is a passive-aggressive way of insinuating that you are selfishly rather than idealistically motivated. Don’t let the hate-spammers get you down. Thank you (and Noam) for your diaries, focus on your eventual freedom, and remember that you are not alone.
Noam Gur and Alon Gurman: I admire your courage and determination. I hope you are spared any kind of serious harm. And regardless of whether or not your actions have any impact on the hateful and immoral Zionist project that is the religion-supremacist Jewish state, I hope you are never led to doubt the right-ness and morality of your convictions. Peace to you both!