On the same day that the Pope made
an impassioned call for an end to the occupation and for peace between the
existing State of Israel and the to-be-created State of Palestine, Uriel Ferera
returned to Military Prison Six, after a few days of freedom spent with his
family in Be'er Sheva. From the experience of many previous refusers, it will likely
take a lot of time and struggle, many terms of incarceration followed by a few
days off and a new detention period, before the military authorities become convinced
that Uriel Ferrara is really and truly unwilling to be a soldier in an army of
occupation. (Omar Saad had already undergone this procedure seven times, and
the army is not yet ready to let go...)
In his room (sign reads: "Down with the Occupation")
Here's what Uriel Ferrara wrote and
distributed through Facebook:
My name is Uriel Ferera, on April 27,
2014 I was sent to 20 days’ detention in Military Jail 6, because I refused to
serve in and be part of an occupying army, an army whose acts are anti-democratic,
violating human and civil rights. I was released on Friday, May 16. When I got
home I felt a huge change, the difference between being imprisoned and being
free. At last I could express all the sadness that I had been bottling up in
confinement. Sadness for being locked up - not locked up because I'm a
murderer, rapist or any kind of criminal, but rather locked up because I opposed
all the anti-democratic acts of the army in the Territories and did not want to
be a part of this activity.
They tried to break me, putting me
for a day and a half in the Isloation Ward. Then I was moved to a ward which
houses prisoners incarcerated for criminal acts or for long-lasting desertion
from service. All I had asked for was to an alternative civil service instead
of military service, even for three years, but the army did not care. They
imprisoned me for my views, because I oppose all the injustice they are doing
to the Palestinians.
When I was placed in a cell with
other prisoners I got on with them quite well. I found that most of them had
deserted because of economic problems. I spent the time reading and studying the
Torah (Jewish Scriptures), and together
with two fellow prisoners I solved Suduku and crossword puzzles. Most inmates have
had no matriculation and do not read books, so their boredom is unbearable. I
got to teach mathematics to one prisoner, and many have asked me questions
about Judaism and Torah and wanted to strengthen their religious knowledge.
I was in cell No. 4, there were ten prisoners,
double-decker metal bunk beds with springs, the cell has a surveillance camera. The floor
in Cell 4 is broken and therefore, when it is washed with water, lots of water
remain below the floor and it causes decay, and we have to smell all this rot .
There were also worms in the shower.
Most inmates smoke a lot, so the
prison officials know that this is their weak spot. If someone displeases them,
they forbid him to go to the canteen and buy cigarettes. They knew that I don’t
smoke and therefore they denied me phone calls, at first for eight days and
then extended by three more days . In short, they hit each of us where it hurt most.
When phone call was allowed at all
it was limited to four minutes. I did get time to pray, three prayers every day. In the last week they
did not give me the letters which my mother and a lot of other people sent via
fax. They asserted that the letters contained forbidden Information which must
not be allowed into the cells. They also denied me the right to talk to my lawyer,
which is very serious .
Soon I need to report to the Induction
Center from where I will go off to my second incarceration. I thank you all for
the support, for all the letters you sent me, even if the prison did not pass
them on to me.
Release Omar Sa’ad and all conscientious
objectors and all political prisoners!
End the occupation, Free Palestine!
Goodbye en route to second term
It is not sure that letters of support and messages will actually get to Uriel Ferera. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to send them, if only to make clear to the military authorities that he is not alone.
Could be sent by fax to +972-(0)4-9540580
or by plain old-fashioned mail to:
Uriel Ferera
Military ID 8004295
Military Prison 6
Military Postal Code 01860
IDF
Israel
