Israel: 'Refuseniks' say they won't attack civilians

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/5ca5cf4d391c1b71bd0360cd830f81bc.htm

ISRAEL: 'Refuseniks' say they won't attack civilians

KIRYAT SHMONA, 9 August (IRIN) - Called up to serve in the conflict against Hezbollah, reserve soldier Israeli Tom Mehagel decided he couldn't fight.

"I don't believe that Hezbollah has any goal but destroying Israel," the artillery staff sergeant told IRIN. "But we shouldn't use our force against civilians."

Mehagel is one of a small group of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reservists who have refused to fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon because they don't think it is right. Soldiers in Israel who refuse to fight are known as 'refuseniks'.

...

IDF spokesman Captain Erik Snider said that refuseniks are wrong to believe the IDF is targeting Lebanese civilians. "Under no circumstances does the IDF target those who are not involved with terrorism," he said.

[plasticsundance]

1. Reminds one of this cause

For two months, a rebel group of Israeli Black Hawk helicopter and F-16 fighter pilots has been denounced as traitors for saying they will no longer bomb Palestinian cities.
Until now they have maintained a resolute silence on their motives, preferring to limit their criticism of Ariel Sharon's war to a letter signed by 27 reserve and active duty pilots refusing to carry out what they described as illegal orders, and denouncing the occupation as eating at the moral fabric of Israel.

Now, having been thrown out of the air force, they are talking publicly about what brought members of the most revered branch of the Israeli military to make an unprecedented challenge to the handling of the conflict with the Palestinians.

"I served more than seven years as a pilot," said Captain Alon R, who, like all the younger pilots, hopes to return to combat flying and so declines to use his full name in order to retain his security clearance. "In the beginning, we were pilots who believed our country would do all it could to achieve peace. We believed in the purity of our arms and that we did all we could to prevent unnecessary loss of life.

"Somewhere in the last few years it became harder and harder to believe that is the case."

We're air force pilots, not mafia. We don't take revenge

[zreosumgame]

6. so where is onlooker & cronies shouting anti-semite?

After all if he or she was honest they would have to. After all they are refusing to kill presumed (by being muslim or arab) 'terrorists', so they must hate all jews right?

[fshrink]

7. I remembered that too. These

are the last heirs of the ancient "tsahal". They deserve respect and admiration for their courage and honesty. Both of which are currently in very short supply there and around here.

[atreides1]

2. Children terrorist

"Under no circumstances does the IDF target those who are not involved with terrorism," he said.

Then all of those civilians killed were involved with terrorism? Perhaps the good Captain or maybe his superiors would like to offer evidence of this? Or maybe some of Israel's suppoters would like to point me to the links that show those Lebanese child bombers at work manning those Katushka rocket
launchers!!!!!

[Karenina]

3. I so weep for Israel.

It's a tiny country of contrasts that can barely be grokked by vicarious onlookers. It is home to some of the most enlightened souls one would ever have the honor, privilege and good fortune to meet, while being a bastion for some of the most racist, nationalistic, misguided egoists that have walked the face of this small planet. Ah, yes. Calgon! Take me away!!!

[fshrink]

8. It's also

one of the top countries in number of atheists... I tend to "weep" for people, not so much for nations.

[Jim__]

4. Hooray for the Israeli refuseniks! - n/t

[Vidar]

5. Thanks for the reminder that not all Israelis support the crimes of

Olmert & co.

[Tom Joad]

9. Called up to attack the people of Lebanon, is a better way of putting

it.

My heartfelt support for those that refuse.