Over 100 female soldiers refuse conscription with IOF: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
11 Apr 2024 16:06
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Since October 7, female Israeli soldiers have evaded conscription at the control observation base near the border with Gaza.

Israeli female soldiers pose for a photo in front of destroyed buildings in Gaza, Feb. 19, 2024. (AP)

Israeli TV7 revealed that tens of female Israeli soldiers refused to join the Israeli occupation forces for observation training with the "border control observation unit" at the military base near the border between Gaza and the '48 occupied territories.

In further detail, the news channel reported that out of 346 soldiers, almost half initially refused to be taken to the training base. The Israeli military claimed earlier on Thursday that the number stood at 116 conscripts, totaling around 30% of all drafted female soldiers.

Consequently, the IOF will be transporting them to the detention facility in the "Tel Hashomer" base or assigning them to different positions and tasks.

This marks the third round of drafting since October 7, which sees extensive numbers of refusals to serve, according to TV7.

The unit's soldiers monitor surveillance cameras along the border between Gaza and the '48 occupied territories and send forces to locations of potential incidents taking place.

The unit has multiple command centers in different military sites along the border, and the vast majority of those serving in the unit are female soldiers.

Female Israeli soldiers refusing service thrown in jail

Ynet reported earlier this year that Israeli women were evading conscription under claims of health and psychological problems or conditions.

Interestingly, Ynet said several of the female conscripts who refused service were taken into "custody or incarcerated."

One of the detained female soldiers described the ongoing events as "shame and disgrace." The soldier in question attempted to exempt herself from service by applying paperwork claiming that she suffers from several mental illnesses, including "anxiety" and "attention disorder".

The conscript told her family, "Since October 7, I have not been able to function at all. Unfortunately, the army has not bothered to look at my documents for the past month and currently, they are not listening to me at all and are not willing to let me meet a military officer and are simply throwing me in jail."

Israeli military authorities claim that such incidents fall under "routine refusal percentages," with a staggering 20% of female "Border Control" soldiers refusing to be transferred to observation outposts.

However, the Israeli news website said the IOF now consider the need for female observers a "critical emergency". The Israeli military command has decided for the "first time" that the position would be staffed by members of the Israeli military's reserve force and would not be constricted to regular staff.