Over the past 6 months, a growing number of Israeli soldiers, often referred to as "refuseniks", have begun to publically refuse to serve in the Israeli Occupation Army. Nearly 500 reservist soldiers, including high ranking officers, have signed a petition which reads in part: "We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people." Most are "selective objectors", and refuse to serve only in the West Bank and Gaza, while others refuse to serve in the military all together. Both types of conscientious objectors have been jailed for their beliefs, and in many cases become the subject of ridicule and slander. On the other hand, their brave stance has launched a debate throughout Israel and re-energized the Israeli peace movement.

THESE SOLDIERS NEED OUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT!

A Call to Action:

- Israeli refuseniks are beginning to go on international speaking tours. Check out their itinerary on www.couragetorefuse.org and encourage attendance at a local presentation. Consider offering to organize for a speaker to come to your area if none is already planned.

- Hold a public vigil in support of Israelis of conscience. PUBLICIZE WIDELY the fact that there are a growing number of Israelis - civilians and soldiers alike - who oppose the Occupation and refuse to support Israeli actions which oppress the Palestinian population.

- The organization, "Courage to Refuse" has organized a Postcard Project and is asking that people express their solidarity and support by creating a postcard, collage, photograph or slogan that best conveys your thoughts. Mail postcards to: Courage to Refuse, P.O. Box 4019, Philadelphia, PA 19118, USA. Or, email them to couragetorefuse_postcards@yahoo.com. They will be posted on the Courage to Refuse website and will then be sent to the soldiers who are speaking out with their acts of refusal.

- Send an FAX or email appeal to Israeli political and military officials to voice your support of soldiers who refuse to serve the Occupation Forces and remind them of their own moral and legal duties. Copy your email/FAXes to your local Israeli embassy, consulate, and government officials as well!

Sample Letter

Dear

The imprisonment of conscientious objectors is a blatant violation of basic human rights. It contradicts international law and Israel's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (article 18).

I call upon you to release all conscientious objectors from prison immediately and unconditionally, and not to imprison them again for their beliefs.

Sincerely,

Other possible ideas to be expressed in your letters may include:

- Protest against the psychological manipulation tactics used against some refuseniks

- The oppression of the Palestinian people, practiced by Israel many years now, also means the repression of opposition from within

- Israel's treatment of peace-seeking individuals sends once again a message to the Israeli society and to the world that Israel is against peace and against human rights.

Contact information (faxes are preferable):

Israeli Military Attorney General, Fax: ++972-3-569-65-64

Commander of Induction Base (BAQUM) Fax: ++972-3-530-60-95

Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz, IDF Chief of Staff, Fax: ++972-3-569-55-94

Mr. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Minister of Defense, E-mail: sar@mod.gov.il Fax: ++972-3-696-27-57 / ++972-3-691-69-40 / ++972-3-691-79-15

Mr. Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister E-mail: webmaster@pmo.gov.il Fax: ++972-2-566-48-38 / ++972-2-651-26-31

For more information, check out the following websites:

Courage To Refuse: www.couragetorefuse.org

Yesh Gvul ("There is a Limit"): www.yesh-gvul.org

To see the full Refusenik petition: www.seruv.org

The Campaign for Secure Dwellings is a network of congregations in North America working to end the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Christian Peacemaker Teams coordinates the Campaign for Secure

Dwellings in cooperation with the Palestinian Land Defense Committee, Rabbis for Human Rights, and the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions. Christian Peacemaker Teams is a ministry of active peacemaking sponsored by

Mennonites, Brethren and Friends Meetings.

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