We are Israeli reservists. We refuse to serve.

[kpete]

We are Israeli reservists. We refuse to serve.

A petition.

..................................


To us, the current military operation and the way militarization affects Israeli society are inseparable. In Israel, war is not merely politics by other means — it replaces politics. Israel is no longer able to think about a solution to a political conflict except in terms of physical might; no wonder it is prone to never-ending cycles of mortal violence. And when the cannons fire, no criticism may be heard.

This petition, long in the making, has a special urgency because of the brutal military operation now taking place in our name. And although combat soldiers are generally the ones prosecuting today’s war, their work would not be possible without the many administrative roles in which most of us served. So if there is a reason to oppose combat operations in Gaza, there is also a reason to oppose the Israeli military apparatus as a whole. That is the message of this petition:

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* * *

We were soldiers in a wide variety of units and positions in the Israeli military—a fact we now regret, because, in our service, we found that troops who operate in the occupied territories aren’t the only ones enforcing the mechanisms of control over Palestinian lives. In truth, the entire military is implicated. For that reason, we now refuse to participate in our reserve duties, and we support all those who resist being called to service.

The Israeli Army, a fundamental part of Israelis’ lives, is also the power that rules over the Palestinians living in the territories occupied in 1967. As long as it exists in its current structure, its language and mindset control us: We divide the world into good and evil according to the military’s categories; the military serves as the leading authority on who is valued more and who less in society — who is more responsible for the occupation, who is allowed to vocalize their resistance to it and who isn’t, and how they are allowed to do it. The military plays a central role in every action plan and proposal discussed in the national conversation, which explains the absence of any real argument about non-military solutions to the conflicts Israel has been locked in with its neighbors.

The Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip are deprived of civil rights and human rights. They live under a different legal system from their Jewish neighbors. This is not exclusively the fault of soldiers who operate in these territories. Those troops are, therefore, not the only ones obligated to refuse. Many of us served in logistical and bureaucratic support roles; there, we found that the entire military helps implement the oppression of the Palestinians.

the rest:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/07/23/we-are-israeli-reservists-we-refuse-to-serve/

[malthaussen]

1. Kind of makes you wish governments would listen to their people. n/t

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. Good on them. They're calling out other complicit Israelis, too:

"This is not exclusively the fault of soldiers who operate in these territories. Those troops are, therefore, not the only ones obligated to refuse. Many of us served in logistical and bureaucratic support roles; there, we found that the entire military helps implement the oppression of the Palestinians."

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. Banksy, Wall and Piece

[WillyT]

4. Huge K & R !!!

[closeupready]

5. K&R

[LittleBlue]

6. They are brave

They will be ostracized for their whole lives. I salute them.

[enough]

7. A powerful statement. (nt)

[TheFarseer]

8. really

I understand refusing to serve when it's like the US and Iraq or Vietnam where they didn't do anything to us and are no threat but isn't Isreal in a life and death struggle with these people? Not sure I understand this mentality.

[busterbrown]

9. It’s a threat to “these people" because the right wing Netyenyahu lead govt..

relies on war to keep them in power.. Stop listening to right wing propaganda... from any country....

The Gaza Strip has been turned into a living fucking slum rat hole by Israel for over 30 yrs...

These are decent bright loving people as a whole whom have been tortured by the Israeli Govt..

[SQUEE]

14. Because contrary to some peoples beliefs here

Not every Israeli is in support of a questionable war with no end game and nothing to be gained but propaganda points by the Hamas backed and supplied terrorists.

I am really to the point that we should allow the "Palestinians" to rot on their own. Expand Iron Dome, and stop the blockade.. let the world see who is the savage in this.

It will hurt, and Israelis will die, but better that than to become what we most hate.

Never again, and that includes US.

[malaise]

10. The worm is turning

People no longer buy the BS and not only in Israel either. Globally all the emperors are naked.

[Voice for Peace]

16. 'Tis the wondrous internet.

Without it we would mostly all still be in the dark and
subject to the mainstream propaganda.

[countryjake]

11. Kicking & Recommending!

[RobertEarl]

12. Sounds like a position DU should adopt

And put in the TOS.

No warmongering allowed.

"...war is not merely politics by other means — it replaces politics."

[avebury]

13. I wish that members of our military had the courage

to take a stand against a country that seems to perpetually want to go to war to keep the MIC happy and well fed. Now if we could only get the decent cops in this country to take a stand against the tyrannical bad cops that would be a step in the right direction.

[Jack Rabbit]

17. I wouldn't want such a principle taking the place of discussion

I'm sure there is some disagreement with these soldiers from those who argue that a nation cannot sit idly while rockets are launched at it territory from beyond its borders.

I agree with the reservists. There is a political element in Israel, represented and led by Netanyahu, that has no desire to make peace with the Palestinians and would rather fight to the last drop of blood over the last acre of the occupied territories. Until that political faction is forever defeated, and its counterpart defeated on the Palestinian side, this discussion must take place. Leaders who refuse to compromise with the enemies of the nation are themselves enemies of their own nation. By refusing to compromise with the Palestinians, Netanyahu puts Israelis at risk. It is right for those whom he most puts at risk, the rank and file of the IDF, to challenge his foolish policies by refusing to cooperate with him.

Those Palestinians who will not compromise put Palestinians at risk. How well did suicide bombing work for them? The Palestinians people, too, should be less cooperative with their "leaders."

Perhaps the people will grow tired at their leaders failing to solve the the crises their way, and come together at the Green Line to solve the problem a better way, leaving their "leaders" back in Tel Aviv or Ramallah dangling from lamp posts.

There is no solution to the ongoing, decades-old crisis in the Middle East except a two state solution. To say otherwise is to say the problem can be solved by one side wiping the other from the face of the earth. Then there is nothing left for the rest of us to do but bury and mourn the dead and put the "winners" on trial for genocide. Peace would be so much easier.

This is a discussion board. Let's discuss it.

[oldandhappy]

15. wow They are brave.

Suspect they could end up in prison. Will keep watching.