Joshua Holland: Netanyahu's Refusenik Nephew!

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 US. Although brave, Ben-Aertzi'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. Jonathan Ben-Artzi appeared on this week's AlterNet Radio Hour- He said he didn't want to talk about his family's private affairs, and we respected that wish. A lightly edited transcript is below. Joshua Holland: You've written about how your family has a tradition of service, going back to Israel's War of Independence in 1948. How difficult was this decision for you? I'd have to assume you were under a lot of pressure to conform and go into military service. Jonathan Ben-Artzi: No, actually not. My close family was very supportive. Moreover I was always one to make my own decisions, and not pay too much attention to what others thought. I always knew that for me it was the right thing to do, and there was no doubt that I could not join the military. The only question was what precisely to do, but that too was, for me, pretty straightforward at the time. I didn't see any other way. In fact there isn't really any other way for anyone who sees things differently in Israel but to do this. There are only two or three options I guess. One option is to be ultra orthodox, in which case you're exempt. That's something that might be changing now, so it's not clear. Another option is to go to a psychiatrist to give you a note that will release you from the military. Or you can say what your conscience tell you, what your beliefs are. Then you face whatever consequences there are.