Israel: Elite soldiers contend razing Palestinian houses is “immoral'

[Comadreja]

Israel: Elite soldiers contend razing Palestinian houses is “immoral”: NRG Maariv reveals new letter criticizing IDF activities in the territories; written by four team commanders of the Air Force’s elite commando unit “Shaldag”. http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=11184

The letter was addressed to Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon, his deputy Dan Halutz, commander of the IAF Eliezer Shkedi and the commander of “Shaldag”. In the letter, the officers contend that the “razing of houses in the territories is immoral”.

“The IDF harms innocent civilians”, they say, arguing that the IDF spirit does not exist where the army operates in the territories. It should be noted that “Shaldag” carries out a variety of top-secret missions throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

The letter surprised many in the unit. One senior officer said, “There were those who were very upset to hear about this. No one expects such criticism against the IDF, especially not here”.

However, the officer added that the four stressed they have no intention of refusing to obey orders or carrying out missions they view as immoral. They added that they don’t plan on any media appearances, as was the case with several of the IAF pilots who wrote a similar letter.

“Personally, I think it is an outrage. These are not just regular soldiers but the commanders of some of the most senior teams in the unit. Whichever way you look at it, it’s about politics”, he added. (cont)

“Accept my congratulations on this splendid act of conquest. Convey my regards to all the commanders and soldiers. We shake your hands. We are all proud of the excellent leadership and the fighting spirit in this great attack...Tell the soldiers: you have made history in Israel with your attack and your conquest. Continue this until victory. As in Deir Yassin, so everywhere, we will attack and smite the enemy. God, God, Thou has chosen us for conquest.” Menachem Begin, later elected Israeli prime minister, to troops following the massacre of Palestinians in one village, Deir Yassin:

[slojim240]

1. Just when will the UN sanction Israel and/or the rest of world boycott ?

Arartheid was just like this and Israel exported weapons and aid to S. Africa during their reign of terror. Now it's Israel's turn and no country has the integrity to call it what it is. I am ashamed of America. I am ashamed of the rest of the world and my heart aches for mankind. Will the world stand by just as they did during Hitler's reign? What will it take. No nation should have the unmitigated right to occupy and carryout genocide against another people. I am ashamed of the Arabs who will not come to the aid of the Palestinians. A once great and noble people has been turned into rock-throwing, suicidest because the world turns its back and the US supports a totally terrorist democracy!

[cal04]

2. Arab League refers Israel to the UN for “inhuman attacks

The Arab League chief Amr Moussa said in a press conference that the AL decided to contact the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the European Union and African Union immediately to put an end to what he described as Israel's inhuman attacks and violation of the international law.

After the members’ emergency meeting, Arab League representatives issued a statement calling on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to prepare a report on the Israeli "crimes" against the Palestinian civilians.

Amr Moussa said Arab states would also call on the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, to stop the Israeli agression and bring peace to the Middle East.


http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=5076