Matan Helman

File photo of Matan Helman (Photo by Edo Ramon/Mesarvot)

‘With my head held high’: Conscientious objector freed after 110 days in prison

The Israeli army had sentenced Helman to six separate prison sentences for his refusal to be conscripted into the military and, in his words, ‘take part in the occupation and Israel’s policies of oppression vis-a-vis the Palestinians.’ Conscientious objector Matan Helman was discharged from the Israeli army on Thursday after six stints in prison adding…

By Orly Noy April 27, 2018

Mattan Helman was supposed to serve in the Nahal Brigrade in the occupied territories. Instead, he will refuse to enlist as a conscientious objector, a decision that will land him in jail.

My great-grandfather saved Jews during the Holocaust. Now I’m in jail for refusing to enlist in the IDF

Helman says his family’s history of resistance to oppression inspired his decision to refuse to enlist in the Israeli army. By Matan Helman Two Israeli draft refusers were sent to jail last Tuesday. Ayelet Brachfeld, 18, from Tel Aviv, and Matan Helman, 20, from Kibbutz HaOgen. Helman, who has already served 90 days in military prison,…

By +972 Magazine April 13, 2018

MK Aida Touma-Suleiman and draft refuser Saar Yahalom at the protest outside the induction base on Sunday. (Courtesy of Mesarvot)

Draft refusers prepare for jail: ‘We are part of a movement for change’

Saar Yahalom and Matan Helman will serve time in prison for refusing to enlist in the army because of the occupation. Dozens of supporters joined two Israeli conscientious objectors as they heaed to the IDF induction base Sunday to declare their refusal to join the Israeli army. Saar Yahalom, 18, from Be’erotayim, and Matan Helman,…

By Yali (Yael) Marom February 11, 2018

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Israeli activists demonstrate on Purim in support of Israeli conscientious objectors, March 24, 2016. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Dozens of Israeli teens: ‘We refuse to enlist out of a commitment to peace’

‘Testimonies of former soldiers teach us that the reality of occupation does not allow one to make a difference from within. The power to change reality does not lay with the single soldier — but with the system as a whole.’ Sixty-three Israeli teenagers have published an open letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday,…

By Haggai Matar December 29, 2017