Jonathan Ben-Artzi, a mathematician at Cambridge University, is a
young Israeli who refused to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, and
was imprisoned for over a year for doing so. Ben-Artzi echoes the views
of many Israeli peace activists – a view almost totally missing from the
discourse in this country. He laments the fact that, in his view, the
country has indeed become an “apartheid state,” and supports the
boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) – positions that are
considered way beyond the pale in the U.S.
Although brave, Ben-Artzi's story is not terribly
remarkable. Refuseniks, as they're known in Israel, are few in number
but not unheard of. What makes Ben-Artzi's experience especially
noteworthy is that his uncle is Israel's right-wing Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu.
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