Submitted by Ali Abunimah
In a short video produced by Jillian Kestler d’Amours for the Alternative Information Center, Gur explained – at the gate of the military camp where she is serving her sentence – why she has chosen to resist conscription:
I’m in prison because Israel is committing crimes. Israel has been committing crimes since Israel was established… It committed crimes since 1948, when the Nakba occurred. People were banned away from coming here, which is a crime that Israel is still committing, not allowing them to come back… Israel is committing crimes when its occupying and killing people, not allowing them to have any kind of human rights, it takes land and water resources. It’s committing crimes in the siege of Gaza. Concluding all of that, it makes sense that I would not want to serve this country.
“I don’t want to be silent”
In an interview with The Electronic Intifada last month when she first announced her intention to refuse, Gur explained the importance of doing so publicly, rather than just seeking to avoid conscription quietly as many other Israelis do:
Noam Gur: Ten years ago, there was a huge movement of refuseniks and in the last two or three years, it’s kind of disappeared. I’m the only refusenik this year, so for me it was trying to let people know that it still exists, first of all.
Second of all, I don’t want to be silent. I feel like [since] high school, we’ve always been silent. We always let our criticism be known only in small circles. The world doesn’t know, Palestinians don’t know. I don’t know if it will change anything, but I can only try. I feel better with myself knowing that I tried to make even the smallest change.
Noam Gur “in solitary confinement”
Noam Gur tweeted all the way into the military base where she’d begin her imprisonment.
@GNoam
Noam Guess what we are doing? Right, waiting! http://t.co/z1JxExYq
Apr 17 via Twitter for Android Favorite Retweet Reply
However, a supporter continues to tweet updates using Gur’s account. They latest update was that Gur had refused to wear a uniform and thus had been placed in solitary confinement:
@GNoam
Noam Refuser @GNoam in prison, refusing military uniforms & so in solitary confinement. #refusing2occupy.4 support letters shministim@gmail.com
Apr 17 via TweetCaster for BlackBerry Favorite Retweet Reply
Written FOR
Desertpeace 
grosenberg said,
April 21, 2012 at 18:59
Wow ~ inspiring
Will Jones said,
April 21, 2012 at 19:16
Child of G-d is she. Mossad ought not to have abetted Amalek/Rockefeller/Bush’s 9/11 abomination.
Please wake up State of Israel, only G-d is righteous. Humble yourselves before the L-rd: Bring to justice those who shed the blood of innocents on 9/11.
Grace said,
April 21, 2012 at 19:45
Awesome. American teens pay attention to these kids. They know what they’re doing and why.
Israel | The Aussie Digger : Home of all Australian Veterans ex Service and Serving members said,
April 21, 2012 at 22:49
[…] PROFILES IN COURAGE ~~ ISRAELI TEENS REFUSE TO SERVE IN ARMY […]
Steve Johnson said,
April 21, 2012 at 23:57
The Shminitism *(refusing to serve IDF ) shows us all there are still remnants of humanity and human rights amongst israels populace and NOT ALL israelis are anti human monsters.
(As surprising as that is)
Sven said,
April 22, 2012 at 11:00
I am very critical to Israels “democracy” and the Shoa they bring over the Palestinians, but when you critique you should also praise. I am proud to hear, that there are “kids” in Israel who don’t care about natinalism but for what is right ! Noam Gur if you would stand for all of Israel the world would change it’s opinion about your country.
My News Summary – 22 Apr 2012 « Posts by Barrie said,
April 22, 2012 at 12:34
[…] PROFILES IN COURAGE ~~ ISRAELI TEENS REFUSE TO SERVE IN ARMY […]
Paul said,
April 23, 2012 at 06:19
Jews for Palestine!
Jews for Justice!