Canadian-Israeli ‘deserter’ granted clemency

After serving half her jail term, Yana Gorelik set to return to Canada

Illustrative photo of a female prison guard at the Neve Tirza prison in Ramle (photo credit: Moshe Shai/Flash90)
Illustrative photo of a female prison guard at the Neve Tirza prison in Ramle (photo credit: Moshe Shai/Flash90)

Yana Gorelik, the 30-year old Canadian-Israeli who was imprisoned for allegedly dodging the IDF draft, was granted clemency on Monday, and her jail term was cut short.

Gorelik already served approximately half of her three-month sentence, which was the result of a plea bargain with the IDF on September 27. According to the terms of the agreement, the month of incarceration served by Gorelik ahead of the trial was deducted from the sentence.

Having reunited with her family in Bat Yam, Gorelik reportedly intends to return to Canada shortly.

“I wish to thank [head of IDF Personnel Directorate] Maj. Gen. [Orna] Barbibay for showing sensitivity for the predicament that befell Yana and her family,” said Gorelik’s attorney Benny Koznitz. “In the recent months the family underwent some rough blows and I am glad that the affair finally ended in the manner it should have ended long ago.”

Gorelik moved from Israel to Canada with her family at age 17 and had visited Israel several times over the last two years without a problem. On September 2, she entered Israel to attend a family wedding, but was detained at Ben Gurion Airport as a deserter from the IDF.

Gorelik said the authorities treated her like a “delinquent,” and “threw me in jail with other girls. They treated us like we were dogs. That’s it, I am finished with Israel. I don’t want to be a citizen anymore.”

In response, the IDF said that “Gorelik did not complete her exemption from military service in 2007 as requested by the IDF,” stating that the failure to do so was legally considered desertion. All children born in Israel who live here until the age of 15 are required to serve in the military unless they receive an official exemption. Those who reside abroad can complete an exemption process in their local embassies.

The army said that Gorelik had been incarcerated, served an indictment and judged like any other army deserter. Gorelik maintains that the Israeli consulates in both Canada and London had told her that because of her age as displayed on her new passport, she did not need to file for an official exemption.

Gabe Fisher contributed to this report.

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