28 May – Conscientious Objectors’ Day event
By Liz Firth, Commission member
15th May is International Conscientious Objectors Day. This year the J&P Commission, Pax Christi and the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival Committee jointly hosted an event to mark the day. Over 60 people joined us at Wheeler Hall in Leeds to listen to speakers, including Rev Clive Barratt, and to watch the film, Objector.
John Battle, Chair of J&P for the diocese, welcomed attendees to the event and noted how the issue of conscientiously objecting to bearing arms or any form of military conscription remains a relevant topic today in current conflict zones as much as it has in the past.
Rev Clive Barrett, author of Subversive Peacemakers, then spoke on the history of conscientious objection, with particular regard to local examples from Leeds, and shared stories of historical figures who have made a stand for their own religious or political beliefs, and the consequences endured by them as a result.
Attendees then watched a screening of the film ‘Objector’. The documentary film follows Atalya Ben Abba, a young Israeli woman, in the lead up to her mandatory period of military service at 18 in 2017. We follow the decision making of Atalya over a period of many months including interviews with her family, many of whom served in the Israeli military and who do not share her emerging political beliefs. Atalya is influenced by her older brother, Amitai who also refused to serve but on medical grounds. Atalya’s own objection to military services was on the grounds of objection to the occupation of Palestinian territories and the Israeli government policies. The film follows her decision to refuse on the grounds of conscientious objection, a request refused by the Israeli Defence Forces’ conscientious committee hearing, and her subsequent imprisonment and a little of what follows her release.
The film was directed by Molly Stuart, partner at the time of Atalya’s brother, who is able to gain close access to Atalya’s family and follow Atalya’s moving visits to displaced Palestinians and watch as her family come to terms with her decision.
We were fortunate to be joined by Atalya via Zoom call for a live discussion following the film showing. She is now several years older, resident in Jerusalem still and now a full-time activist. Atalya responded thoughtfully to questions from the audience which ranged from how her relationship with her pro-Israeli Grandfather had been maintained to what hope she had for the future of Israel given the current Israeli government’s political leanings.
Atalya spoke movingly about how she and other activists find strength from the solidarity shown by supporters around the world. She also shared how, whilst she is aware of the rejection of many fellow Israelis due to her political beliefs and actions, that she still finds a sense of belonging in Jerusalem and sees it as her home. She spoke of the challenge of the current Government and their treatment of the Palestinians, but believes that rather than losing hope, she and fellow activists are continuing to support the Palestinians despite the difficult circumstances currently found in Israel for those who do not support the current political regime.
Many thanks to all who organised and supported the event.
Rev Clive Barratt, who has written a book about first world war conscientious objectors in Yorkshire, will provide a short context for the film which follows. After the film we will have the main person featured in it, Atalya, available via Zoom for a Q&A session. The event starts at 6pm with light refreshments and the opportunity to purchase Palestinian goods from a number of stalls. Reserve a place now for this free event! Use this link:
It can be a challenge to be patient, not to get angry, to give the other point of view, – to listen to those who engage with us. I’ve had some special conversations over the years.
“I joined Bradford Women in Black to support a national women’s protest platform. The silence for me is a powerful approach as I see people walking through the city centre engaging, reading the leaflet and talking to those giving out the leaflets and indicating visual support. It’s a regular event which makes me think each time about our subject and silently reflect on my position. It has raised my awareness which I share with others. I like that we decide together through our WhatsApp group without ponderous debate as the monthly vigils enables us to cover a wide range of issues. CND are a great back up for protest information and support. Their history is worth volumes in the world of action. I personally wouldn’t want to join with any other more forceful group – I believe there’s room for all.”
Madge Henry is a Sunday School helper in LS8, and she heard about the event from her friend Urusla who is a Street Pastor.
SPARK is a social justice project for young adults from 18 to 30 years. It is part of the Leeds Diocese Justice and Peace Commission. We have talked to many young people who have passionate views about the issues of social justice such as Black Lives Matter, homelessness, UK poverty and the climate emergency. They tell us they do not often engage with the institutional Church or connect their faith to the principles of CST.
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We are looking for new people to join the Leeds Diocese Justice & Peace Commission. Anyone living in the Leeds Diocese who is interested in changing the world could serve as a Commission member!
The talk was given by Peggy Healy. She is a former Maryknoll sister who was working in Central America when St Oscar Romero was assassinated. The 3 Maryknoll sisters and the accompanying lay worker who were assassinated by the military were good friends. She talked from the heart about the work in El Salvador and how we might respond to the poor today.
The talk is available as a downloadable pamphlet.