Sydney woman spends Yom Kippur in Israeli jail
A 27-yr-old Sydney woman spent Yom Kippur in a military jail in Israel following her arrest for draft evasion.
Natalie Gershoig
The Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronoth has reported that Natalie Gershoig was advised by immigration authorities at Ben Gurion airport last week that she must report to the IDF’s recruitment section to determine her eligibility to serve her national service.
The paper reports that though Gershoig was born in Australia, she had lived in Israel where she had received a draft notice. She left for Australia before the due date arrived to begin her service.
Yedioth reports that a military judge stated that a warrant had been issued for her arrest after she failed to show for military duty. She was detained in a military prison for five days including Yom Kippur pending the court’s decision.
The newspaper stated that Gershoig had gone to Israel to visit her mother.
An IDF spokesperson told Yediot that Gershoig had been contacted in Australia and advised of her obligations.
Her father in Sydney, Alex Gershouig, told J-Wire: “The hearing is today and all we can do is say a prayer for her. She has family in Israel and they are 100% behind her.”
