Democracy Now
Monday, July 24th, 2006
Combatants For Peace: Former Israeli and Palestinian Fighters Talk About Why Dialogue, Not War, Will Solve the Middle East Crisis
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/24/1439247Demonstrations took place around the world this weekend calling for an end to Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and Gaza. On Saturday an estimated 10,000 protestors in Toronto marched from the Israeli consulate to the United States consulate. The protesters called for sanctions and a boycott of Israeli goods. Around 7,000 people joined a protest in London that took place along the Thames River. And several hundred took part in marches in Birmingham, Amsterdam, and downtown Chicago. Anti-war protests were also held in Israel. On Saturday in Tel Aviv, some 2,000 protesters held a demonstration against the war, and the country’s alliance with the United States. They also called on Israeli soldiers to refuse military service. Today we are joined in studio by Yonatan Shapira who is a military refuser. Yonatan is a former Captain in the Israeli Air Force Reserves. In 2003, Yonatan initiated a group of Israeli Air Force pilots to sign a declaration refusing to participate in aerial attacks on Palestinian territories. Yonatan is also a co-founder of the group Combatants for Peace. Yonatan was with us on Friday and we welcome him back to Democracy Now!
* Yonatan Shapira-Former Captain in the Israeli Air Force Reserves. In 2003 Yonatan initiated the group of Israeli Air Force pilots who refused to fly attack missions on Palestinian territories. He is the co-founder of Combatants for Peace.
Bassam Aramim-Former member of Fatah, who served a 7 year prison sentence after being arrested in Hebron when he was 17 years old. He is currently a member of Combatants for Peace.
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