CPTnet
June 7, 2002
Urgent Action: Support Israeli Conscientious Objectors

In Hebron, CPTers spend a lot of time talking with Israeli soldiers,
speaking to their consciences, and challenging them to think deeply about
what they are doing to a civilian Palestinian population. CPTers encourage
soldiers to question whether demolishing the homes of Palestinian families,
humiliating men and women at checkpoints, inhibiting the movement of people
and goods, and confiscating the lands of Palestinian farmers are just, moral
actions, or whether they actually fuel violent resistence and revenge
against Israeli soldiers and Israeli civilians alike.

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 <http://www.seruv.org>