Christian woman from East Jerusalem arrested at Ben Gurion Airport, shocked: 'You are a deserter'

Lia Fradella (19), a Christian permanent resident from East Jerusalem, was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport while on her way to a family trip abroad, accused of deserting the IDF. Her mother claims the family never received a draft notice, and that her daughter, who does not speak Hebrew and holds Polish citizenship, was unaware she was obligated to serve. The mother describes a traumatic arrest and has been cut off from contact with her daughter.

Lia Fradella (19), a Christian permanent resident from East Jerusalem, was arrested yesterday (Sunday) at Ben Gurion Airport while on her way to a family trip abroad. The military police arrested her on suspicion of deserting the IDF. Her mother, Gabrielle, said that Lia grew up in East Jerusalem in an Arab-Christian family, attended an American school, and does not speak Hebrew. She holds Polish citizenship. The mother claims the family never received draft notices, although it is possible that 14 years ago, when they lived in Petah Tikva, notices were sent there but not received. According to the Security Service Law, a permanent resident is obligated to enlist, but residents of East Jerusalem without citizenship generally do not receive draft notices due to security policy. The mother describes a traumatic arrest: Lia was taken from the line in front of her younger sister, and has been cut off from contact since. Even the lawyer hired by the family is not allowed to contact her. The IDF did not comment.