JERUSALEM, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A 24-year-old U.S. resident, who returned to Israel as a tourist after seven years, is being detained as a draft dodger stemming from her previous stay there.
Shelly Mizrahi's problems began last Tuesday after she arrived at an Israeli draft center as told by the Israeli consulate in Miami where she had gone to get her travel papers, reports Ynetnews.com.
But instead of sorting out her status, the center drafted Mizrahi and later told her to stand trial for draft dodging.
The issue goes back to 32 years when Mizrahi left Israel with her family when she was 17 or right before being drafted, says the report.
The report said Israel's policy is to classify youths who leave the country while of draft age as absent without leave or as draft dodgers. They are arrested upon returning to the country, jailed for one month per year of absence and later must serve in the army.
Shelly has been in jail for a week. An Israeli military spokesman said Shelly is an Israeli citizen, obligated to serve in the army. He said the issue is under review.
