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Last update - 09:45 15/09/2008
Web site for IDF draft dodgers faces criminal probe
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Menachem Mazuz 

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz recently ordered the police to open a criminal investigation against the New Profile organization - the first time a criminal probe has ever been launched against a group that encourages draft dodging.

The probe, launched in response to a request from the Israel Defense Forces, constitutes an intensification of the army's war on draft dodging. It was prompted by concern over the growing extent of this phenomenon. Military Advocate General Brig. Gen. Avichai Mendelblit asked Mazuz to order the probe in February, and earlier this month, Mazuz acceded to his request.

New Profile's Web site defines the group's purpose as supplying "detailed and reliable information about the procedures that enable one to obtain an exemption from military service," as well as "moral support" for those seeking such an exemption.
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Under Israeli law, "incitement to draft dodging" is a crime in itself, though no group has ever before been investigated for this offense. In addition, however, New Profile is suspected of helping people secure exemptions fraudulently. "The severity of [New Profile's] incitement to draft evasion, which includes convincing [people] to obtain exemptions from service, necessitates opening up an investigation," Deputy Attorney General Shai Nitzan wrote in a statement informing Mendelblit of Mazuz's decision.

The main reason for the probe's launch is apparently the fact that New Profile's web site tells people what to say to IDF mental health officers to create the impression that they are psychologically unfit for service. In a document entitled "The goal: 21," it details various ways of getting army evaluators to assign the applicant a profile of 21, which is the IDF code for unfit to serve. Many teens say that such advice has helped them in obtaining draft exemptions.

Last summer, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi declared war on draft evasion, in response to data showing that in 2007, almost 28 percent of all draft-age males would not be drafted. Since then, the IDF has tried various tactics: media campaigns aimed at increasing motivation to serve, closer cooperation with high schools and municipalities, and barring artists who did not serve from performing for the troops.

The IDF's Personnel Directorate claims that these efforts, coupled with a stricter attitude on the part of the army's mental health officers, have begun to bear fruit: This year, the proportion of draft-age males who obtained mental-health exemptions fell to 5.1 percent, from 5.5 percent last year, and the number of soldiers who obtained mental-health exemptions during their service also dropped.

Army sources expressed satisfaction with Mazuz's decision. "Thorough legal treatment of this movement is very important to deter evaders and those who urge them to evade," explained one.

IDF Spokesman Avi Benayahu termed the decision "another important step" in the war on draft dodging. This war, he added, "must be a joint effort by the IDF, the state authorities and Israeli society in general."

Yuval Azoulay adds: Sergei Sandler, one of New Profile's leaders, said in response: "Our activity is completely legal. We give information to young people about to be drafted about the various procedures open to them, which the army obviously has an interest in hiding. The decision to open an investigation against New Profile contains an element of persecution. Every such decision is ultimately a political decision aimed at shutting our mouths and protecting a certain kind of social order. But if they want to investigate, let them. Our activity is legal; we don't encourage fraud; and we're proud of our activity."



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      1.   Mazuz is a joke 04:09  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 15/09/08
      2.   New Profile background that haaretz tries to hide 04:19  |  Arie 15/09/08
      3.   So Mazuz has time for draft dodgers but he can`t indict Olmert 06:11  |  Shepherd 15/09/08
      4.   draft dodgers 06:54  |  Shmuelshachor 15/09/08
      5.   Professional draft dodgers... 07:35  |  Esther 15/09/08
      6.   Draft Dodgers another Arab Trick ..... 07:54  |  Dolly 15/09/08
      7.   arie # 2 - Palestinian Heros just a sham...... 08:07  |  Dagma 15/09/08
      8.   What about the Charedi Yeshivot ? They fit the definition 09:20  |  rh 15/09/08
      9.   I guess it`s easier than to indict biggie for rape 10:03  |  Troot Hertz 15/09/08
      10.   I guess it`s easier than to indict biggie for rape 10:03  |  Troot Hertz 15/09/08
      11.   As if we needed prof that the State is off the rails 10:04  |  Ofra 15/09/08
      12.   Was Law defeated by political consideration? 10:08  |  H.H.M. 15/09/08
      13.   Reply to # 8 10:30  |  Joe 15/09/08
      14.   rh, you don`t know what you are talkin` about 10:48  |  Zev Davis 15/09/08
      15.   Israel is imploding 11:14  |  Paul Wood 15/09/08
      16.   The website in question. Judge for yourself 11:17  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/09/08
      17.   Draft dodgers should quit Israel 11:47  |  Nora 15/09/08
      18.   Who would want to discourage defence of our country? 11:50  |  x-ray 15/09/08
      19.   Why do Linthwaite and his ilk censor Kach? 12:10  |  Binyamin Dissen 15/09/08
      20.   must be popular with the charideem 12:16  |  avi 15/09/08
      21.   So the information will still be there 12:42  |  Ilan 15/09/08
      22.   A cui bono? to whose benefit? 13:57  |  x-ray 15/09/08
      23.   DRAFT DODGERS 14:01  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 15/09/08
      24.   Haaret$ Should Be Under Investigation 14:38  |  Tex 15/09/08
      25.   Lintwit and Wood: Simply Bored or Merely Stupid? 14:39  |  Tex 15/09/08
      26.   #17 x-ray 14:45  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/09/08
      27.   #19 Binyamin Dissen of Jerusalem 14:49  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/09/08
      28.   #25 Tex 14:56  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/09/08
      29.   Don`t worry lightminded one: I`ve read it in English and Hebrew 15:00  |  x-ray 15/09/08
      30.   Slavery 15:20  |  Brenda 15/09/08
      31.   Draft dodgers solution. 15:32  |  John Allen 15/09/08
      32.   similar to the USA... 16:36  |  Rob of melbourne 15/09/08
      33.   This is draft resistance 16:53  |  Haim 15/09/08
      34.   Well Done Draft Dodgers!! 17:10  |  gearoid 15/09/08
      35.   here we have another one who wants the end of Israel 17:21  |  x-ray 15/09/08
      36.   Send home the fearful 17:36  |  lady from USA 15/09/08
      37.   Rob of melbourne 17:43  |  lady from USA 15/09/08
      38.   #31 x-ray 17:46  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/09/08
      39.   lightweight 18:10  |  x-ray 15/09/08
      40.   #35 x-ray 18:52  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/09/08
      41.   Draft dodgers 20:58  |  Cyasher 15/09/08
      42.   #41 Cyasher of Glasgow 22:09  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/09/08
      43.   Chris Linthwaite 23:51  |  Sarah 15/09/08
      44.   draft dodgers in peyot 23:54  |  denver Hi 15/09/08
      45.   #42 Cyasher ask your so called democracy 01:57  |  Labhras 16/09/08
      46.   Web site for IDF draft dodgers faces criminal probe 05:01  |  meg carter 16/09/08
      47.   You`re playing with fire! 05:41  |  Harry 16/09/08
      48.   Tex; Terrifying isn`t it #24 07:11  |  Gray 16/09/08
      49.   Meg Carter 08:44  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/09/08
      50.   Refuse to promote oppression 11:16  |  Hannah 16/09/08
      51.   Conscientious objection should be allowed 14:07  |  Amom. 16/09/08
      52.   Dodge the Draft! 16:49  |  Jewish Palestinian 16/09/08
      53.   draft # 52 .jewish palestine 17:29  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 16/09/08
      54.   Question for Arie BaGolan: What is your source? 21:31  |  Itzik 16/09/08
      55.   Civilised society 12:04  |  Ingrid 17/09/08
      56.   reply to # 37, re draft 12:46  |  Rob of melbourne 17/09/08
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