Yana Gorelik, the 30-year-old visiting Canadian who arrived for a family wedding has found herself behind military bars. Yana, who is also Israeli, was arrested and thrown into military prison for being an IDF deserter, the result of not addressing her status with the IDF when she and her family moved to Canada when she was 17.
Yana was arrested for being AWOL for 4,170 days, arriving here for a five-day visit for the wedding of a cousin, a visit that has become a nightmare. She explains that since her arrest she has been held in Prison 4 under harsh conditions, in sweltering heat without summer garments, and not even permitted to receive solution for her contact lenses. The military prosecutor is seeking a five-month prison term and it appears that at the very least, she will remain behind bars until her hearing on Tuesday 24 Elul 5772.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
It is very sad and cruel for someone to be treated this way especially when they are no longer living here.
Modern societies are based on rules and laws that must be followed in all countries. Every one in Israel knows that all 16.5 year old Israelis, male and female, receives by mail an “army induction form” that MUST be completed even if your filling for religious exemptions.
For those that machmir about “milchemet mitzvah” will be called back several times before being drafted at 18 or or after 12th grade. It is all possible and highly recommend to postpone the induction for a one to two years for extra Yeshiva learning.
For those Israelis who are living abroad and have not served should contact the Israeli embassy be arriving here to avoid unnecessary situations.