New Profile would like to urgently ask your support for a case of unlawful dismissal of an employee on grounds of his conscientious objection to certain types of military service. Attorney Michael Sfard, representing the employee, Yonatan Shapira, on behalf of New Profile , defines the case as: "above and beyond anything else, a case which explores the right to freedom of conscience in the private sector".

In an unprecedented law suit filed September 28th 2006 with the Haifa Israeli labor relations tribunal, Sfard will accuse an Israeli commercial helicopter company of unlawfully discriminating on grounds of moral conscience against its employee, Yonatan Shapira. Yonatan Shapira became publicly known when, in September 2003, he as one of the initiators and representatives of the "Pilots' Letter" in which twenty-seven Israel Airforce pilots stated that they "are opposed to carrying out attack orders that are illegal and immoral, of the type the state of Israel has been conducting in the territories." The army responded by dismissing Shapira from further (reserve) duty in the airforce.

Shapira has been working for the abovementioned commercial helicopter company since 2000. His expertise is dangerous airborne maintenance work on live electricity cables. In 2004, the employing company was joined by a recently retired high-ranking airforce officer, prominently placed during the period when the "Pilots' Letter" was published. Since the officer, who repeatedly and openly expressed his disagreement with and contempt for conscientious objectors like Shapira, became chief pilot of the company, in 2006, Shapira has effectively been barred from work.

Together with New Profile , attorney Michael Sfard, points out that this is a blatant case of discrimination resulting from the far reaching militarization of Israeli civic society. Israeli industry – among other spheres of civic society – is run, to a significant degree, by ex-members of the military establishment who frequently do not observe the legally underwritten distinction between army and civic society. As a result conscientious objection in the military context can be penalized and sanctioned in the world of work. Such penalties – usually invisible to date – have never before been challenged through the Israeli legal system. New Profile views this groundbreaking case as a vital part of the struggle to expose the deep running militarization of all strata of society in Israel and a meaningful opportunity to advance de-militarization while defending freedom of conscience.

New Profile urgently asks you to support Yonatan Shapira in his struggle against unlawful discrimination due to his conscientious objection. Litigation may be a time and resource-consuming process.

For donations please make a cheque payable to New Profile, noting: “on behalf of Yonatan Shapira” to: New Profile , POB 3454, Ramat Hasharon, Israel 47100 or transfer the donation directly to:

Bank HaPoalim Account Number 421121 Branch 769 Trumpeldor Street Ramat HaSharon, Israel

SWIFT Code: POALILIT

(Please inform us of the transfer)

For US residents - US tax deductible contributions can be made through the Refuser Solidarity Network (www.refusersolidarity.net). Send a check made out to "Refuser Solidarity Network" with “New Profile” on the memo line to:

Refuser Solidarity Network P O Box 53474 Washington DC 20009-9474

Donate with a credit card at https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=712, and be sure to select "New Profile Projects" in the RSN Project field.

For further information, you can contact us via Bilha Golan, New Profile, (+972- 50) 763 8568 or bilhagolan@bezeqint.net