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Israeli
Soldiers Condemn Occupation of Palestine In the name of the "war against terrorism," President Bush gave a green light to Israel to step up its attacks on Palestinians. Now 173 Israeli Army reservists from front-line combat units have signed a statement saying that they refuse to continue serving in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The statement, issued in late January, condemns Israeli policies for "dominating, expelling, starving and humiliating an entire people...The price of occupation [of Palestine] is the loss of the Israeli Defense Forces' semblance of humanity and the corruption of all Israeli society." At least
2,500 reservists have gone absent without leave. Israel has jailed 600
of them in an attempt to halt the rebellion. Ariel Shatil,
an Israeli soldier, explained, "The gunfire penetrates thin walls
and windows, and that kills people." Others reported that they were
ordered to shoot at Palestinians who posed no danger, including stone-throwing
boys as far as 100 yards away. The Israeli army has not disputed these accounts. However, armed forces chief Shaul Mofaz says, "In my eyes, it's more than refusal to serve. This is incitement to rebellion." Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned that stern action would be taken against the resisters. The resistance
of combat veterans helped end Israel's infamous 1982 invasion of Lebanon.
The current 173 dissenting soldiers hope to collect 500 signatures and
ignite a movement to challenge the Israeli occupation of Palestine. |
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