Cosa facciamo:
New Profile Movimento per la civil-izzazione della Società Israeliana
(trad. a cura di Tactical Media Crew)

<Conferenza>

<Carta di New Profile>

What we do: The New Profile Movement The Movement to Civil-ize Israel Reg. No 58-034-612-0 'What if I don't go?' he asked, trying to avoid her eyes. She did not know what to tell him. He was not longer the baby she used to hold in her arms. She could no longer tell him that by the time he had to enlist there would be no more war. She could not imagine him in uniform. She did not want to see him fighting wars which she was convinced were preventable. She felt lonely, confused and she wondered whether other mothers were facing the same questions. I. General Description New Profile is a young but visible organization, the outgrowth of the belief that there is a need to question the influence the deep roots of militarism on Israeli society. The movement, comprising feminist women, men and youth, is grassroots and voluntary. Our name, New Profile, reflects the long-range aim of our organization: to change the Profile of Israeli society from a militarized society of war and might, to an actively peacemaking community in which the rights of all people are respected and promoted equally, and the military occupation of others? lands ends. Military service and military institutions have functioned as major structural principals in Israel society. The questions that demand investigation are: (a) how does the predominance of military-based hierarchies constrict and impair equality and true participatory democracy in our society; (b) how do these hierarchies tend to encourage violence and discrimination; (c) whether real peace in our region is achievable without changing the mind-sets and patterns involved in militarization. To forward our aims, we engage in the following projects. 1. Rethinking Conscription 2. Advocacy for Demilitarization 3. Educating for Demilitarization 4. Study Groups and Adult Curriculum Development 5. Partnership in the Women?s Coalition for a Just Peace 2. Project Descriptions 1. Re-thinking Conscription Goal of the Project: To provide a support system to those who resist induction into the army, whether based on political, religious or moral belief. Although Israel has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1993), which recognizes the right of conscientious objection, in practice the Israeli government and military does not recognize this right and routinely jails those who invoke it. We welcomed the September 1999 Amnesty International report on conscientious objection in Israel, which calls the Israeli government to ?recognize the right to refuse military service on the grounds of conscience?, as guaranteed in article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). New Profile is working for the implementation of this covenant, as ratified by Israel in 1993. Among other activities, we are presently studying conscription laws in other countries as a basis for proposing change in our laws as well as alternatives to basic service. To date there has been no legal option for secular men who refuse to serve in the Israel Defense Forces on the grounds of conscience. Those who object to conscription, if exempted from military service at all, are exempted usually on the basis of ?mental or emotional? unfitness, which is designated by the military code name ?Profile 21,? a label that stigmatizes and which often has long-term consequences for those who bear it. Secular women tend also to be penalized for conscientious objection, but with less severe consequences. New Profile is working to present legislation to broader revision of conscription law, with the aim of combating the deep-set discriminatory practices based on the relations between the military and civil society. Our movement strives towards changing the present conscription laws so as to respect young people?s freedom of conscience. We support the right to resist induction into the army, and initiate campaigns of moral support for youth, both male and female, and their families, who have chosen to resist induction into the army regardless if the choice is based on political, religious or moral beliefs. In this context we continue to initiate a support system for individual resisters, including reservists, and their families. We direct individuals to various channels of legal support, and help find funding for that support, organize demonstrations for jailed resisters, generate media exposure, petition military authorities through continuous letter writing campaigns and appeal to Knesset Members and other officials. One example of such a support case is that of Pacifist and Conscientious Objector Yinnon Hiller, (19), who for the past three years has unsuccessfully petitioned the army for a legal release from service on the grounds of his beliefs. New Profile assisted Yinnon and his family in finding a lawyer willing to represent him and initiated a fundraising campaign to help with the legal fees. Recently Yinnon appealed to the High Court for the right to be released from military service on the grounds of his belief in pacifism. He is currently waiting to be summoned to a hearing. This is an unprecedented test case. Should he be released, he will have opened new opportunities for other young people with similar beliefs. If he fails, he will face indefinite imprisonment. 2. Advocacy for Demilitarization Goal of the Project: This project seeks to disseminate information about the effects of militarism, to firmly place new perspectives on the public agenda and to influence prevalent views about the relation between Israeli society and the military. The project was first activated in October 1998 as a New Profile study day for 150 participants. Nowadays, the effort is channeled through study days, parlor meetings and public information campaigns, as an ongoing attempt to change public opinion about militarized gender roles and the dominant role of the military in Israeli society. The educational component of this project draws upon and connects its other sections, forming a project-hub. Members of New Profile rotate the responsibility of organizing different efforts. They take upon themselves to organize and facilitate various evenings and study days that will provide the public with an opportunity not just to hear discussion on feminism and militarism, but also to provide an occasion to ask question debate and learn. In April 2000, one such meeting was held and was attended by about 80 people. The topic of the evening was ?The Military and Israeli Society?. Another parlor meeting was held in November 2000, on the topic of ?Understanding Current Processes in Israeli Militarism?. A third parlor meeting is planned for Spring 2001, which will explore the topic of the Holocaust and the use of the Holocaust as study material in high schools to promote motivation for induction into the army at the age of 18. This type of opportunity to meet with the Israeli public, allows New Profile to include possibilities for fundraising and expanding its membership. The meetings are held in a feministic atmosphere where there is a chance for the audience to ask questions and participate not only after the speaker and/or panel have finished speaking, but also allows for comments and discussion between speakers. New Profile has reached out to Members of the Knesset, public figures and organizations for their support. Most recently we presented to Meretz Party Knesset members Prof. Naomi Hazan and Zahava Galon a report of the military?s rejection of recent attempts of young men and women to receive an exemption from army service. Consequently, the two MK?s introduced a law that would change conscription laws and allow for a national service program. Although the law did not pass, New Profile?s report was essential in providing background information and collaboration. 3. Educating for Demilitarization. Goal of the Project: To educate the Israeli public and advocate against militarism and its effects on society. We have come to understand that re-educating the public not only means changing way of educational thought within the educational system itself, but also requires a major public campaign that will show a direct correlation between militarism, acceptable concepts of masculinity in Israeli society, and a limited normative public conception of female gender identity. We feel it essential to change the long-standing and current Israeli public perception of masculinity in Israeli society, and by extension, broaden the acceptable range of femininity as well. Gender constructs in Israel are rigid. The ideal man is defined in large measures by military advancement, which often leads to key positions in the public sphere, including the public/ private sector. The prevalence of key positions of this gender construct, among other things, leaves women out of the picture almost by definition. Thus, women have to struggle against a deep-seated prejudice against their competence for public office and/or leadership. One prominent example is the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. Of the 120 appointed members from all the elected parties, only 14 are women. From a feminist point of view, it is imperative to directly confront this warped and socially limiting normative public conception of gender identity. Militarism affects not only gender constricts, but also adversely affects the economic and social status of different minority groups, e.g., Moslems, Christians, most Druze, Bedouins, religious Jewish women (who do not participate in the National Service), and the physically disabled. An on-going working group, that has been active for two years, has been examining the deep-seated militarism embedded in Israeli education, both formal and informal, including parental practices. The group generates public awareness and alternative content focusing on education for peace, conflict resolution and non-militarized, non-sexist and non-racist education. The group works at heightening awareness amongst school officials, teachers and parents when different school activities such as subject matter, field trips or school projects focus on aspects of militarism, sexism or racism. The group acts by meeting with individual representatives of school faculty and parents. On the regional level, members of New Profile meet with representatives of educational steering committees and departments, and presents an alternative to the school curriculum in question. At present, the group is planning an international convention to be held May 29-31, 2001 together with the Hebrew University School of Education and the Seminar Hakibbutzim Teachers? College on the subject of The Militarization of Education. The goal of this conference is to bring about an academic-activist discussion that examines the militaristic aspects in education in general and specifically in Israeli society. A detailed project description of the conference can be found as an attachment to this report. 4. Study Groups and Adult Curriculum Development Goal of the Project: To Create a network of Feminist Study Groups New Profile recognizes the fact that women are the major educators and teachers with the home and the educational system. We believe that only by education, starting at the very basic levels can there truly be social change. Most of the founding members of New Profile met three years ago while attending one of two study groups on the subject of ?Women and a Militarized Society?. Since then, the two study groups have come together and continue to meet on a regular monthly basis as one group. Formerly facilitated by a founding member, it has now moved into phases of peer facilitation, using feminist consciousness raising models as well as academic texts and media reports as tools for enhancing understanding of women?s status and role in a militarized society. New Profile has set goals to open other similar study groups all over Israel. Resource materials for the study group, focusing on ?Women in a Militarized Society?, are being developed on an ongoing basis by a team of experienced educators and curriculum developers. To date the team has compiled an extensive set of materials from which it plans to continue to collect and eventually print as a comprehensive resource book. 5. Partnership in the Women?s Coalition for a Just Peace Goal of the project: Partaking in Affirmative Action in Protest to the Hostile Aggression of the Israeli Military Forces and the Israeli Police Force. When founded, New Profile members felt that the emphasis of their activism should be directed towards working within the confines of the Israel Jewish society. However, since the outbreak of the current Intifada in September 2000, we have felt compelled to take an active part along with other peace and human rights organizations in protesting the actions of the Israeli military forces and the Israeli Police force. While originally initiating condolence calls to the 13 Israeli Palestinian families who lost loved ones, New Profile has continued to be active in organizing joint demonstrations and actions with other Jewish and Palestinian women. Through the conviction, hard work and the cooperation of these women, New Profile formed a partnership with eight other feminist, activist peace groups. The partnership is called the Women?s Coalition for a Just Peace. 3. Additional Activities Building a Website Goal of the Project: To Promote Contact and Exchange of information with relevant Organizations and Individuals New Profile, while keeping astride with the rest of the Western world and computer technology, has recently purchased a domain name. We are in the process of building a website. We feel that this type of media will enable us to maintain contact with Israeli and world society and will offer a platform where questions regarding peace, draft resistance, nonviolence, equality, democracy, equality and educating the public can be raised, discussed, examined and promoted. The site is being constructed jointly by two members of New Profile, while other members are assisting them. 4. Future Projects Name of the Project: Establishing Permanent Fax and Telephone Lines and a Mailing System Since New Profile is a totally volunteer organization, we do not have an office. All of our members work out of their homes using personal telephone lines and email to make contact with other members and interested parties within and without Israel. We realize that by not using regular channels of communication, we miss reaching a large part of our potential membership. In Israel, non-profit organizations have to pay full fees for sending mail and for phone calls. We understand that it is not possible to always rely on the good graces of active members and that it is imperative that we establish a system that is much more efficient. Name of the Project: Creating a Peace Education Platform on a Regional Basis During the recent Intifada, members of New Profile began to perceive a very deep fear and misunderstanding of the plight of the Palestinians amongst the Israeli public. These feelings seemed to be wide spread. We felt that within the educational system little was being done to calm these fears and to build bridges of understanding and coexistence between the Israelis and their Palestinian neighbors. Members living in the regional district of Emek Hefer, which is situated north on the Tel Aviv area, are endeavoring to establish a Forum for Peace Education and Equality. This forum will be open to the parents, educators, school administrators, public officials and children. The idea is to start creating dialog, which will present as many sides as possible to the issues at hand and will allow for future discussions and projects. We intend to work on all levels starting from the administrative and all the way to preschool educators and parents. Presently we have the approval of the regional council to establish guidelines for the first presentation of our proposed program to be introduced to school administrators and educators. We have been in contact with the Institute of Peace and Democracy in Givat Haviva. We plan to invite their trained facilitators to assist us in the learning process. Name of Project: Portable Exhibition While planning our upcoming conference on the subject of The Militarization of Education, we started to conceptualize an exhibition. The idea developed as we began to realize the important role visual effects play in education. We realized that there is a need to use didactic tools that will provide another learning implement when meeting the public. This will predominantly give individuals an opportunity to ponder first hand, everyday concepts and texts in education and civilizing. The exhibition is portable. It is composed of a number of components that can be shown separately, as different spaces or all at once. The exhibition will be have written titles is two languages, Hebrew and English. This enables us to present the exhibit to our multilingual guests during the conference. We will further be able to continue to promote awareness by presenting the exhibit in Israeli schools and other institutions. We will as well be able to present it in other communities outside of Israel such as Jewish Community Centers and synagogues. Name of the project: Initiating New Study Groups While keeping in mind our strong emphasis on education, New Profile would like to introduce new feminist study groups that will be self-facilitated and deal with Feminism, Militarism and Political Identity. In addition, we hope to renew the weekly study group held by CO youth and facilitated by former Conscientious Objectors. 5. Organizational Structure New Profile has no elected board. All participation in activities is voluntary, including that of the Treasurer, the sole titled responsibility. Other positions and all committee work are structured around non-hierarchic pairs or groups. There are no membership fees. Members donate what the can when they can. A team works on fundraising, assisted by other members who create connections and gather information. General meetings are held once a month on a regular basis. Their location rotates among the members, each meeting being held in the home of a different member. Members also rotate taking down minutes that are later typed out and circulated by e-mail. Such rotation is one practical means of sharing power and decentralizing authority. Topics are chosen for the meeting agenda in several ways. 1) Follow-up of agenda topics from prior meetings including committee meetings and workshops. 2) Presentation of topics by individual members. 3) Examination of current and upcoming events. New members and individuals considering membership are welcome to join our meetings. Workshops focus on providing a platform for learning and discussion for New Profile members and guests on different issues. They are held as internal study days and focus on a specific topic. The demand for a study day usually arises when an issue that was raised at a monthly meeting demands more research in order to understand it better. Guest speakers are often invited to present to present their area of expertise. New Profile recently held a study day that presented as many facets as possible should we decide to promote a ?Non-conscription Campaign?. Aside from members who investigated different aspects, guest speakers with an expertise in one or more issues relating to the subject were invited to present their findings. 6. Additional Information Contact Persons: Ruth Hiller Sharon Galant Kibbutz Haogen 42880 09-8983296 053-374501 09-9570292 054-955054 graylady@haogen.org.il sharongalant@hotmail.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 48005 Tel Aviv, 61480 Bank Account for Donations: HaPoalim Bank Branch 769 Trumpeldor Street Ramat HaSharon

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