Where was Carter in April 2007 and then again in January 2008 when the same school was "devastated" (Palestinian quote) by Palestinian terrorist attacks?

It would be more useful to lament the fact that Hamas was firing rockets from within a school compound ,not to mention all the other launch pads situated in civilian and residential locations.

"Jerusalem, Cairo, Washington and the international community" all bare the responsibilty.
What about Hamas? No mention.

It's strange that there is no mention of the other stops on Carter's ME visit, such as his "first ever" visit to an Israeli settlement, 10 mins south of Jerusalem, where he said :

"This particular settlement is not one that I envision ever being abandoned, or changed over into a Palestinian territory.
This is part of the close settlements to the 1967 line that I think will be here forever"

If he knew anything about settlements, he'd realize that they are virtually all close to the 1967 line, ie the 1949 armistice line.

There is no mention either that White House officials are " very pi**ed" with Carter.

The American International School in Gaza is not funded by the American government as alluded to by Carter.

It is funded by the Palestine Investment Fund, a private organization that sits on millions of dollars, while most Palestinians live on UN aid.

This organization is currently involved in a lawsuit in which Palestinian residents of the Jordan Valley are being evacuated from their homes to make way for land development by the PIF.

(Is anyone out there protesting forced evacuation of Palestinians from their homes by Palestinians?)

Apart from 2008 and 2007, the school was attacked by a Palestinian rocket in 2004 and in 2005, the principal and a teacher were kidnapped. Since then, no foreign staff have been employed.

After the 2007 attack it was reported that;
\"All those working in the school are Palestinians and the funding comes from Palestinians\"

It is obvious that Carter does not have a clue and is just licking up the propaganda that Hamas is feeding him.

Yeah miriam, we know. Organizations worldwide who condemn Israel\'s treatment of Palestine, AND past American presidents are wrong, and you are right.

This is a quote of april 2009, made by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network: \"We are appalled by the concerted effort, led by Israeli officials, Zionist organizations and apologists to derail the Durban Reveiew Confrence. We condemn the use of the memory of the Nazi genocide, as Jewish organizations did during the Durbi review week, in the defense of Israel\'s systemic domination and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. We are shocked by the cynical pretense of defending human rights , for example in Darfur and Rwanda by organizations and groups that are only interested in silencing Palestinian demands for accountability and redress and have no serious committment to human rights.\"

This is yet ANOTHER Jewish organization that I have mentioned that detests Israel\'s treatment of Palestine. The organization known as \'Not In My Name\' is well known for condemning Israel\'s behavior as well. There are many others. But to get away from Jewish organizations, let\'s not forget Amnesty International. President Obama. President Carter. President Clinton. President Sarkozy. The list goes on and on. When the world disaproves of what you are donig, it\'s not the rest of the world that is wrong. Maybe it\'s you. It\'s amazing that just a few decades ago your people were almost ridden to the brink of anhialation, and were saved. Your people were opressed, enslaved, murdered, and worse. Yet you do and endorse the same treatment of another group of people who are different. The whole point of learning history is to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over. I guess you missed that lesson.

Yeah, I know Miriam, Palestine is SOOOO rich that they sit on wealth, and rely on tunnels to get food, and have no military, and it\'s children are denied school materials delivered by sea...which are subsequently intercepted by Israel. I guess all those crayons are now in evidence being examined as aid to terrorists. HAHAHAHA!!

\"The only way to avoid this tragedy happening again is to have genuine
peace,” he added, pointing out that many Palestinians are now fighting each
other in the West Bank and Gaza because of their affiliations with Hamas or Fatah. \"

Ah, I see, Carter knows that theer will be peace as soon as hamas and fatah stop fighting.

What an idiot that man is

CS,
These groups are made up of ignorami who do not know the first thing about Judaism or Jewish history.
Like you (I assume), they are intelligent, well-educated, and well-read individuals who have been persuaded by propaganda that Israel is all-evil.
Many of these people spent most of their lives hiding the fact that they are Jewish because of their fear of becoming the victims of a genocide most of their ancestors or they themselves escaped. Now it is trendy to be anti-zionist and their (mistaken) belief that by taking such a position it will protect them from the next genocide against the Jews, they have crawled out of their hiding places and are contributing towards the preparations for their own destruction.

The only point they prove is that Jews, unlike certain other races, display a myriad of opinions and can decide for themselves what they want to believe, even if it is based entirely on mis/disinformation.

In the view of most Israelis and Jews, history is repeating itself. The Holocaust was the last of many attempts to annihilate the Jews, and this is occurring again today.
This time, however, we can stand up for ourselves rather than rely entirely on others who could not do the job.

"Also in Gaza, Carter met with Hamas leaders, who he said “want peace and
they want to have reconciliation not only with their Fatah brothers but also,
eventually, with the Israelis to live side by side. '

What a joke this is, Hamas wants peace with israel?

lost in translation....

Its a matter of time before Israel tries to assassinate, Carter, Obama or any other high profile guardian of the truth. No doubt they will blame a future assassination on Iran in a desperate attempt to kill more innocent Arabic families.

Israels radical Zionist and murderous policies have plunged the world into a time of terrorist resistance. American tax payers have funded Israels policy of murder with a constant supply of weaponry. Look at the many tons of USA bombs dropped on Arabs and connect the dots to 9/11. And yet the Zionists still pretend to be innocent and show no remorse for the needless carnage they have brought to the world.

Throughout Jewish history they have been cursed with the belief they are chosen by God and the world should follow them. As we can see from this blog, if the world disagrees they will ridicule, deny and lie. As always everybody else is wrong and they are right. When the Zionists reap the harvest of the hate they have sown, they then cry persecution.

As Judaism has never been able to control it's power quest, should following such an organization be made illegal? The Nazi party is illegal. The nazis also believe to be superior and attempted to destroy all opposition in their way. Exactly the same as the political Zionist party. The good Jews seem powerless to control those in their own community from having a vain superiority complex and from persecuting all who disagree. There is no doubt if this is left to continue, we will see another major war which will effect the world.

Just look at this blog and you will constantly see Zionists pretending they are legal and denying the overwhelming burden of proof. Nothing will stop their quest to persecute Muslims and expand their borders at the expense of others. They wont even express remorse for killing babies in their sleep with bombs made in the USA. If they cant control themselves and act with humility, dignity and respect for other cultures and life, then they should be stopped before this ghastly chapter in human history comes home to all of us. 9/11 is a prelude to the future.

Forcing Israel to accept UN resolutions and respecting world opinion is the only way to solve this problem.

I don't understand the poverty in Gaza totally. My brother-in-law drives hundreds of miles, works, gets home some weekends. My sister found a job several months ago. My daughter and son work. My 17 yr. old starts his first official job in a few weeks in a restaurant cleaning tables and stuff though he has been mowing yards a few years. There are no jobs in the ME for the men and women in Gaza to take? I know the job market isn't the best right now, but surely there are some restaurants or factories or something in Egypt or Saudi Arabia or somewhere in the ME for the people to find jobs.

John A,

And you accuse Jews and Israelis of hate?!

It is lies like yours that get spread viscously around the world and are believed to be fact. Precisely the kind of disinformation and conspiracy that we are combating.

For somebody who admits that he gave up on Christianity because of his hate of Judaism, you are the poster-child of anti-semitic, and hence anti-zionist, ideology.

John A. – Everything is the fault of Israel? There is a violent protest going on right now in Iran. We hear about terrorists and see airplanes flying into buildings in other parts of the world. Jewish people believe their religion is one of the oldest, which it is, and want a safe place to live. They aren't perfect, but most violence in the world is not caused by Jewish people or any other race or religious group. There is a slaughter taking place in Darfur, also not Jewish. N. Korea may get nukes. The U.S. and Israel are allies in a world were many want to wipe Israel off the map and advocate and support other violence. The bad stuff going on is because of bad people. We can pick them out and name them if we watch the news.

Miriam your lying again and you know it.

G there is only one major occupier in this world and that's Israel. They have also escalated the arms race by introducing nuclear weapons to the world. They also fail to recognize the human rights of an entire community and then blame others for the resentment and violence in the region.

Naturally the world has other problems. But there is only one nuclear armed country controlled by religious fanatics who currently occupy land, build walls around civilians and deny the natural inhabitants equal rights. Israel and its ruthless politics is the biggest threat to world peace. No other nation will want to justify a first strike. But look at this blog and you'll see Zionist obviously have no problem justifying anything. There madness is completely out of control and they have nuclear weapons and they have refused to allow their weapons to be regulated.

You want to learn from history. Well Israel is a copy cat of Nazi Germany. A superior race that wants to wipe out opposition. Now with the fourth largest army in the world, Israel has also drawn more condemnation from the UN than any other nation on earth. Just like Nazi Germany, they don't care about world opinion or concerns. Thats because these fanatics think they are correct and the world is wrong. Proof of this is all over this blog.

Other problems in the world are important. But Darfur wont spark world war 3. What do you think will happen when Israel is asked to withdraw to their 1968 boarder? Will they go peacefully. Theres no chance of that. Even Jewish settlers feel they can murder Palestinians and take their homes and land. Israels politicians are no better, but the do have plenty of bombs made in the USA to play with. Definitely Israel is the biggest threat to world peace. Maybe this is why the bible predicts all stones in Jerusalem being turn upside down.

John A Cut N Paste,

Yea right-– "Zionists pretending they are legal and denying the overwhelming burden of proof."

What kind of a nutcase are you ???

You're the epitome of hate and racist bigotry. It is people like you who who create, support and sustain the violence and inhumanity in the world.

Everyone sees this in each and every posting with your name on it !

Why attempt to blame others for what you so openly promote. For you, --all the worlds' problems are centered around the existence of Israel and the Jews. If there were no Israel and all the Jews were wiped from the face of the earth-- the world would live in peace and harmony-- right--John A Cut N Paste !!!!!

It is you who should be made "illegal" !!

Despite your wishes, Israel exists and will be there long after you're gone.

You just need to get over it.

CS,

You just can't seem to get over the fact that the PA isn't permitted to have a military. It has nothing to do with wealth or lack there of. The UN doesn't permit it!

Food through the tunnels-–yea right !!! Try cigarettes, guns, explosives and chemicals to make explosives and money for the fat cats who run Hamas to keep up the violence and pay the militants. You've been reading too much fiction.

But you're right CS--"The whole point of learning history is to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over."

Obviously the Palestinians have failed miserably in their history lessons over the past 60 years!!!!

They keep doing the same dumb s**t over and over and over.

In the same time frame, and on the same piece of land, Israel has created a vibrant and flourishing country and robust economy. !!!

Go figure !!!!

The Palestinians can't even figure out how to feed their own people. The UN employs 24,000 Palestinians just deliver the basic needs to the rest of the Population. The only group of people on the entire planet has their very own UN aid organization dedicated 100% to the their own personal cause !!!

Amazing-– are they stupid-- or are they smart???? Why give up free stuff??? If the world sees you can work for a living--the free stuff goes away !!!!!

John A

" New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common".

"It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth".

All men are liable to error: and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it".

John Locke

Miriam. Thank you for trying to give me a compliment. I will respond to what you said:

1. How do you know that these groups are made up of ignorami? Have you read their resume/portfolio? Are you some kind of educational guru? Do you run the nobel arena of education?

2. So you're saying that anybody, or any Jew, to be more specific, who opposes Israel is ignorant, and persuaded by propaganda? That's reasonable:)

3. How do you know that these people who run these organizations, or have these opinions lived their lives hiding any facts about their herritage/religion?

4. What races do you speak of, that are not allowed to have a lot of different opinions? I know Islamic people from Iran, India, Asia, and other nations who think for themselves.

5. Being a jew is not a race, unless you are from the origional tribes of Israel. Israelites! A race, would be caucasian, which happen to be Russians, Polish, German, and other countries who have adopted Judaism over the years...and good for them for finding religion, and following it, if they do. But this does not make them a race, just because they CHOSE to observe Judaism.

6. "rely on other who could not do the job." You're a thankless person. The reliance upon others is the very reason your peole have not been anhialated. It is the very reason you have a country of your own. It is the very reason you have the military equipment that you do. Your welcome! I think the job has been done too well, for your overconfidence stinks to high heaven.

7. You're right. History IS repeating itself. There is another holocaust of the Islamic people in the ME, at the hands of you and your people. Please beleive...Nobody will fail to take care of this job either. The world will not stand by, and let your leaders, and countrymen committ ethnic cleansing upon the people of Palestine, or the ME. You'll see.

Filipe. You might as well talk to someone else. You're not worth my time. I have nothing to say to you. You are impossible to reason with, and even when others who have previously differed from you, say something that fundamentally agrees with what you have said/would say, you still look to fight. You're an angry beligerant little man. Speak to someone else.

People may agree on some things, and disagree on others. But not with you. If they disagree with one thing, they must be a target for your tantrums and whining B-tch sessions.

John A Cut N Paste,

You said,

"Other problems in the world are important. But Darfur wont spark world war 3. What do you think will happen when Israel is asked to withdraw to their 1968 boarder? Will they go peacefully."

"They have also escalated the arms race by introducing nuclear weapons to the world."

**********************************************************************

So why do you think the Arab Israeli conflict over Palestine will lead to WW3 ????

Do you think someone is going to ask them to withdraw to the 1968 borders?

Who???

And if they don't comply--who is going to do do anything about???

You've already said, several times, that Israel is the 4th largest military power in the world and the collective armies of all the Arab countries are of no match.

So who do you think is going to attempt to impose their will on Israel??

And--escalated the arms race !!!!! You're kidding, right ???

They introduced nuclear weapons to the world ???? Again-you're kidding, right ???

The US introduced nuclear weapons to the world !!!!! And France supplied the needed technology to Israel-- Israel hasn't aided anyone in the development of nuclear arms.

They've had nuclear weapons since 1968 !!!!! 40 years!!!! How has this escalated the arms race?? They've never admitted to having them, officially-and they have certainly never threatened anyone with their use. So this claim of yours really lacks any sound footing-- i.e.-another baseless accusation !!!

Did you and CS go to the same school?? Oh–I forgot you're not an American-so you couldn't have. For not being an American you really like Jimmy Peanut Carter and Obama and Hillary and Biden an awful lot. You also seem to be real concerned about decisions the US makes about who their friends are and where they spend the taxpayers' money.

I bet you must really wish you were an American-–then maybe the world would stand up and take notice of what you say !!!!

Do you have any answers???? Or just more tirades of racial bigotry focused on Israel ???

Mr Carter's comparison to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza are being treated more than animals,is not quite true.Animals in Israel are treated far more better than the Palestinians.However,Palestinians,now live in open prisons without food,water and medicines for the sick.Check points are put in place even to allow those seeking treatment outside of Gaza cannot do so,thanks to the huge assistance of the US and the EU governments using their taxpayers money to finance an illegitimate country founded on the skulls and skeliton of Palestinians.

Israel feels it can escape justice and it can do whatever it wants to Palestinians and get away with it,time will tell.There has been pressure on Israel by the US president Barack Obama,lately to respect the Oslo peace accord,freez illegal settlements and everything just went in vain.One still wonders how on earth,Mr Obama is asking Hamas to renounce violent at the same time Israel is building a good number of settlements on lands that donot belong to them.More and more Palestinians are being deprieved of their lands?The court in Israel routenly sends the IDFs to bulldoze Palestinian houses,with an excuse that they are illegally built while on the flip side it is to pave the way for new settlements.

The F-16 fighter jets are being used to killed un aremed civilians,some as young as two months old babies and the use of white phosphorus against civilians which burnts their skins of the Palestinian.Life in Gaza is terrible and the super powers are sitting back without doing anything to stop this human suffering taking place.Many more people are going to die as long as the blockade by the Israelis is still on.Israel is onus for the region as a whole!

Why is it that people in Gaza, a few not the majority, can think that it's okay to send 11,000 missiles into Israel over eight years and get away with it? Why is it those people get among the populated areas instead of an empty battlefield then think it is Israel's fault when civilians are injured? I don't understand the logic. I don't understand why people in Gaza are not picketing for other countries in the ME to hire them for jobs because they live in poverty. That would make the news. People can either work, steal, or beg for aide. AND everything is the U.S.'s fault, policies, whatever and yet people, right now, are mad at us again because we are not doing anything major about the crisis in Iran. That is part of the ME. Do something, it is interferring. Don't do something, it's mean. People in the ME, in general, need to be more kind and accepting of everyone else. That's my feeling. There are too many bombs and missiles and not enough picketing to get jobs.

And another thing. People have to adapt to their time and circumstances in the world. There are billions of people in the world now. Billions. The world has to take care of each one. Everyone matters, even those being slaughtered in Darfur by bad people. So how does that happen? Industry, mass farming, exploration, even into space, moving forward. Why do people want to go backwards?? History is good to know to keep from repeating mistakes, but you have to keep moving forward; the birth rate does in some countries. Only a few have learned to control it. I feel sorry for the people in Gaza, really. People in Israel should stop moving and taking land that is not theirs. Our President should voice that opinion, in my opinion. But to be respected it means hard work and living now and for future people, not for past bickerings. That's my two cents. Pay me in cash please.

Filipe – I had a typo and one of my posts sounded wrong. I always read what you write. Always.

I like President Carter. He's an intellectual and has a soft heart. I'm certain that the destruction and poverty are heartbreaking in Gaza. The children matter to me. I want their parents to find jobs and help them and move forward. The violence needs to stop. I know some don't and won't recognize that Israel exists, but it does. For everyones' sake, move on from that point. Having people around you with other beliefs doesn't hurt. I promise. There are many here.

hahahahahaha

whenever CS does not know how to answer facts, he threatens to stop arguing with his protagonists

he does not understand that all his lies, his whining and his Hamas propaganda make him into a pierrot

get a life CS and stop whining

Hi G,I like raeding your comments,Iam passonate to read your comments,Many thanks and see you then.

CS,

The members of some of these groups do not keep their names secret and many are left-wing artists whose biographies are out there for anyone to read.

The ignorami I refer to are those who claim to be experts on Palestinian "history" and "culture" but are ignorant about their own religion, history and culture.

Of course other races have a myriad of opinions, but when it comes to Israel, their views are remarkably uniform (although not exclusively).

Race and its definition is a controversial topic. It can be defined as a categorization of humans on the basis of heritable characteristics and as "self-identification".
Whether Jews can be refered to as a race is debatable, however a remarkable degree of genetic uniformity has been found in Jews from various parts of the world, and self-identification is certainly a feature of being a Jew.

Racists have no problem identifying Jews for their anti-semitism.

Who prevented the suffering of the Jews from Roman destruction and expulsion, the massacres by Mohammed, the Spanish Inquisition and expulsion, the various attacks and expulsions from European countries, the Russian pogroms, the horrors of the Holocaust, the massacres in Arab lands etc?
Certainly there were individuals who risked their own lives to protect those they could, and their rightiousness is recognized and forever remembered. But it would have been preferable if all these historical events did not repeat themselves over and over again.

Suggesting an Islamic holocaust in the ME is a blood libel aimed at immorally delegitimizing the very existence of Israel and is an attempt to minimize the Holocaust and trivialize the suffering of Holocaust victims.

I like the ME. But my patience is shot. If people their cannot accept other religions, other skin colors, those trying to help them out, then turn around and want help, the future and its challenges, letting go of old grudges, and the female sex, there are only two, then I just have no patience. If there were ten sexes to accept or choose from, I might understand, but there are only two. How hard is that, in general? One gives birth to sons and one are those sons who have grown up to men and all are equal and have equal rights. That really bugs me, as a female. Being different is not less or weaker or strange. Israel is a different religion, Jewish, than the Palestines who are not tolerant at all, of about anything. Still, I have hope that everyone can co-exist.

Chernor Jalloh

Hamas feels it can escape justice and it can do whatever it wants to the Jews and get away with it,time will tell.

You see, the Jews have a long memory

They remember the passover massacre, the Jerusalem masssacres, the disco massacre, the bus massacres, the hebron progroms and the pride of hamas after shooting a pregnant mother and her five daughters in the head

the jews remember and believe me abu marzuk or whatever your name is, hamas will pay dearly, very dearly

and neither your lies or johnny baby's cut and paste nonsense will change this fact

in memory of the pregnant mother and her five daughters, hamas will pay

CS,

I'm very easy to reason with !!! It's simple-all you need is to offer something reasonable. But that appears to be where you fail miserably with each and every posting you make !

But someone needs to school you on what is considered a "race".

The Jewish people are in fact a race !!!

I've not seen anyone claim that those who converted to Judaism are members of the Jewish race !!! Is this something else you just made up in your small little mind ?????

You also seem to ignore the fact that even the the Ashkenazi Jews have been found to be descendants--through DNA analysis-- of 4 women who lived in the middle east land of Judea. So your assumption that these "European Jews" you whine and cry about are not really Jews is quite inaccurate and has been proven false. Unless of course, you fail to believe in the accuracy in the science of DNA.

But why is any of this a concern for you??? The people of Israel decide who is permitted to live in the State of Israel. It's not open for outsiders to decide this for them.

You need to get over it!

Why do you continue to try to make it your business --when it is really none of your business??

univ. rector

you donot like facts!!
pres. carter talking about facts on the ground.....

Filipe the dishonest. You claim I wrote in reference to Israel:
They introduced nuclear weapons to the world.
-----------------------------------------
Why continue with your boring lies. Obviously nobody would claim Israel introduced weapons to the world. Everybody knows that Israel owes its existence to the world and owes its weapons to America.
In fact the founding of Israel has brought nothing to the world accept for a Middle East crisis.

But Filipe I suppose what you’re trying to say in your feeble way is that you support Zionists murdering Arabs and occupying their lands and denying them basic human rights.

Miriam writes
"All men are liable to error: and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it".
--------------------------------------
You quote philosophy on one hand and then support the murder of Palestinians on the other.
But never do you recognise needless suffering Zionists have inflicted on their neighbours.

Here is another quote for you, “ Take the plank out of your own eye before your try to remove a speck of dust from your brothers eye”.
The world asks you to respect Palestinians as humans. You don’t need to seek philosophy to master such a basic human gesture.

G you love to state Palestinians have fired 11,000 missles into Israel.
Amazing you know it’s so many, considering most of these homemade fireworks disintegrate before hitting any objects. You always forget very few Israelis have been hurt by Palestinian homemade rockets.

On the other hand you never remember Israel’s army has occupied Palestine for 50 years and Palestinians have never occupied Israel. You always forget to remember Israel has killed many thousands.
Do you intentionally forget the facts because you hope American tax payers will continue to pay for Israeli bombs. Do you hope Israel can continue to pound unarmed people with high tech American missiles.
When you talk about 11,000 missiles are you also including the stones thrown by Palestinian teenagers when they are being fired upon by tanks & F16.

G – Why do Russian Jews arrive in Israel every week to start a new life in what was once a Palestinian home.

There’s a simple truth here G. Palestinians continue to die and Jews from Russia continue to arrive. It’s a case of ethnically cleanse one group to make way for another.

Dear university rector,

CS is whining because he doesn’t like to see Israel mass murder Palestinians.

I’m whining because I do not like to see Israel’s mass murder of Palestinians.

Jimmy Carter is whining because he doesn’t like to see Israel mass murder Palestinians.

But the Zionist university rector is whining because he doesn’t want the mass murder to stop. At least not until his promised land has been ethnically cleansed of Palestinians.

University rectors are you sure that is what God promised? Or is that what the American tax payer has promised you with another shipment of American bombs?

John A,

There is no mass murder of Palestinians by Israel.

Israel is not planning, nor supports, nor desires to commit mass murder of Palestinians.

Israel does not plan or desire or support ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

The ME is not in crisis because of Israel's founding.
There were crises in the region long before the nation's re-birth, long before any of the other ME states were created.
Israel is the excuse when Arab/Muslim dictators are concerned about holding onto their power and authority.They make use of the ingrained anti-semitism they have systematically indoctrinated their populations with to unite their people instantly are thereby save themselves from the threat of being overthrown.

Jews in Russia have every right to move to Israel, just as any other Russian has the right to move to whichever country they want.
Russian Jews have had to suffer through the pogroms, the Holocaust, the communist, Soviet persecution and continuing popular anti-semitism.

Yesterday, at the public and state-funded Haifa University, the Head of Israel's northern branch of the Islamic Movement was invited by students to make a speech. The institution is open to all students, Arab and Jewish and others.
The speech was declared to be only for Muslims, there was a "selection" process at the door and a Jewish student who succeeded in entering was expelled.
And you claim the Jews are the racists?

Johnny baby:

Here are the facts you keep ignoring:

You see, the Jews have a long memory

They remember the passover massacre, the Jerusalem masssacres, the disco massacre, the bus massacres, the hebron progroms and the pride of hamas after shooting a pregnant mother and her five daughters in the head

They remember the absolute refusal of the Arabs to accept the two state solution in 1948, in 1967 etc

they remember many more facts, all of which you whiners ignore

tough, isn't it, when they Jews insist ion facts and you Israel bashers insist on propaganda

johnny liar:

On the other hand you never remember Israel’s army has occupied Palestine for 50 years and Palestinians have never occupied Israel. You always forget to remember Israel has killed many thousands.
====================================================
1. israel is a state for 61 years, just like Jordan or Germany
2.Jews were there long before the palestinians
3. jews never left the country
4.jews were always the majority in jerusalem
5. tel aviv, for example, exists 100 years, difficult to reconcile with your theories of 50 years occupation
6. grad missiles are not home made
7. since when is war a mathematical equation?
8. you condone arab terror
9. most terrorist in the last 25 years were muslim
10. you have never related to any fact presented here, you always vade direct questions
11. you take orders from Hamas

If anybody tried to kill President Carter it is the MOSAAD/IOF. He is the Greatest President we have been blessed with. If the Israelis do try to murder him they will make it look like Al-Queda or Hamas. But remember only the Israelis are stupid enough to do that;only they benefit; no-one else benefits; Jimmy Carter has been right all along about Peace in the Occupied Territories. He is a man of Truth- that is why the Zionist War Criminals call him anti-semitic. Does anybody really take these Zionist-fascists seriously when they accuse others of being "haters" because we dare to call them on their Genocidal War on the Palestinians?Gaza is a concentration camp. We invite all Israelis/ American Jews to report any Criminals or spies working for Israel to the FBI. Boycott Israeli goods, Sanction. Divest. End the Apartheid State.

University rector,I can fully understand the situations in the occupied territories as anoutsider,and until you come to your normal senses and accept the facts on the ground,you will always ulter insolent remarks or comments against the people here trying to expose the grave humanrights violations perpetuated by your government aginst inncocent Palestinian civilians.

Israel is the one that started the pogroms not the Palestinians,and some of them were driven out of their homes by gangs who then wanted to seize Palestinian homes,with the help of countries advocating human rights and democracy.Hamas never existed before,it was because most of their forefathers were massacred by the Israelis,they too vowed to revenge.It is not that I sympathise with actions Hamas or anyother militant groups are doing,by killing innocent civilians in Israel,but we have to clearly know the root causes of their acts.

The IDF's relentless operations are as outrageous as the Hamas and other militant groups,so in any war there must be human disaster whereby it is the ordinary man in the street who pays the ultimate price.

Israel was engaged in peace talks with Fatah in the west bank and trying to isolate Hamas,and since the right wing government was elected your so-called natural grouth began to grow rapidly.Now the Fatah bloc which is seen to be one of the moderate among the Palestinians is threatining to quit from the peace talks,due to the illegal settlements and out post being built under occupation.

Chernor Jalloh,

do you know what a pogrom is and when they started?
The Russian pogroms started long before there were any people who called themselves "Palestinian".

Similar attacks occured during the time of the first Jewish sovereign state in The Holyland, long before Arabs migrated into the region.

There were Arab attacks on Jews in The Holyland in the 19th century and even earlier in and outside The Land. These continued and increased in frequency and severity with time.

The Muslim invasion at the end of the first millenium brought the first Arabs.

How can you "understand" the situation in the territories or in Israel as an "outsider" who just picks up stories from the media?

Israel has been engaged in peace talks with the Palestinians for years and there was never any agreement made to stop settlement building. Israel voluntarily offered to stop the creation of new settlements, which it has, as a good-will gesture but settlement expansion within predefined bounderies was to continue until a final status agreement. None of this is new and Fatah knows this even though they consistently bring up the issue. Outposts are illegal under Israeli law and are not built as part of Israeli policy.

"Israel is the one that started the pogroms not the Palestinians"

You are not only a liar, but also not very intelligent if you write allegations easily to be lies:

Organized Arab Terrorism Begins in 1920

March 1,1920: In an attack by large numbers of Arabs from the village of Halsa, 8 Jews were killed at Tel Hai, including Josef Trumpeldor.

April 25, 1920: Following the murder by Arabs of a Jewish settler, the whole settlement of Bnei Yehuda (east of the Sea of Galilee) was abandoned.

Other settlements attacked by Arab terrorists in March and April 1920: Ayelet Hashahar, Mishmar HaYarden, Mahanayim, Rosh Pina, Sharona, Kfar Tavor, Degania, and Menahemya.

As a result of repeated attacks by Arab terrorists in 1920, a number of other Jewish agricultural settlements were evacuated, including Metulla, Kfar Giladi, and Hamara.

Attacks Continue in May 1921:

May 1921: Arabs attack Jews in Rehovot, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Petah Tikva and Haifa.
May 1921: Arabs attack Jewish Quarter of the Old City

Widespread Arab Attacks August 23 – 26, 1929

On August 23, 1929, over a thousand Arabs in three main groups emerged from the old city of Jerusalem and attacked any Jew they could catch in several of the Jewish quarters of the city, and in its suburbs. Attacks on Jews quickly spread throughout Palestine. By nightfall of August 26, 133 Jews had been killed and 339 wounded, including:

In Hebron, 59 Jewish men, women and children were killed on August 24. In one house alone, 23 were killed and then dismembered; many others were tortured and maimed.

20 Jews killed in Safed — mostly children and old people. 32 wounded, several tortured.

7 Jews killed in Hadar Hacarmel.

In Motza, 6 Jews killed, including 2 children and a rabbi.

In Tel Aviv, 6 Jews killed. 2 Jews killed in Beer-Toviya. Settlement looted and then set on fire.

Settlement of Ekron looted and then destroyed.

Beit HaKerem attacked.

1 Jew killed in Hulda.

Onslaught of Arab Terror, 1936:

April 15, 1936: 2 Jews in Tulkarm killed by Arabs.
April 19: 9 Jews in Jaffa killed by Arabs.
April 20: 5 Jews in Jaffa killed by Arabs.
April 22: Jewish woman in Jaffa killed by Arabs.
April 26: Jewish houses in Nazareth and Beit Shean burned by Arabs.
April 26: An Arab mob beats up Jewish boy in Jerusalem.
April 28: 4 Jewish farm workers in Migdal injured by Arabs.
April 29: Arabs burn down a Jewish forest in Balfouriya.
April 29: Arab mob forms in Jerusalem, but British police break it up before Jews harmed.
May 1: 2 Jews in Haifa killed by Arabs.
May 3: Arab mob burns down Jewish timber yard in Haifa.
May 4: Jewish orchards in Mishmar Ha-Emek burned by Arabs.
May 4: Arabs destroy 200 acres of wheat in Ramat David.
May 5: 500 orange trees uprooted in Tel Mond by Arabs.
May 7: Arabs fire on Jewish bus in Beit Dagan.
May 10: Arabs burn crops and haystacks in Givat Ada.
May 10: Arabs uproot newly planted olive grove in Zikhron Yaakov.
May 11: Arabs burn Jewish crops in Ramat David.
May 12: Arabs burn threshing floor in Zikhron Yaakov.
May 13: 2 elderly Jews murdered by Arabs in Old City.
May 13: Jewish shops in Haifa stoned by Arabs.
May 13: More orchards burned in Mishmar Ha-Emek.
May 16: 3 Jews in Jerusalem shot dead by Arabs while coming out of a cinema.
May 19: Arabs kill a Jew in the Old City of Jerusalem.
May 20: 2 Jews wounded during Arab attack on bus.
May 24: Arabs severely wound a Jewish guard at Majd el Krum.
May 25: Arabs kill a Jew at Hebrew University.

From May 30 – June 13, 1936, in more than 11 attacks, the Arabs destroy over 15,000 trees planted by Jews, as well as many crops and barns.

May 31: Jew at Givat Shaul killed by Arabs.
June 1: Jewish bus passenger killed by Arab rifle fire.
June 5: 5 Jewish passengers injured when Arabs threw bomb at bus in Haifa.
June 6: Jewish girl severely injured by Arab fire while traveling on bus.
June 8: Arabs attack Jews on their way to the Dead Sea Potash works.

In the third month of terror (June 16 – July 17) campaign, 9 Jews were killed, mostly in Arab ambushes on buses, and 75,000 trees planted by Jews were destroyed.

From mid-July to Sept 22, attacks increased. In over 27 attacks, 33 Jews were killed, several hundred wounded, many in ambushes while driving unarmed. Other attacks include:

July 23: 9 Jewish children injured in Arab bomb attack on religious school in Jerusalem.

August 13: Jewish father and his 3 children killed by bomb thrown by Arabs through window of their home in Safed.

August 17: 2 Jewish nurses and young Jewish girl killed by Arabs in Tel Aviv.

September 19, 1936: Arab bomb kills 7 year old Jewish child in Tiberias.

John A Cut N Paste,

John A June 17th, 2009 1516 GMT

G there is only one major occupier in this world and that’s Israel. They have also escalated the arms race by introducing nuclear weapons to the world. They also fail to recognize the human rights of an entire community and then blame others for the resentment and violence in the region.
*************************************************************************

John A Cut N Paste-–

What part of this post do you not remember writing ????? Why would you post something and then deny you ever said it ????

And you have the nerve to call me dishonest !!!!! You're a joke of a joke!!!

Or is this nothing more than one more example of you blindly using your superior cut n paste skills and not reading what you're posting ???

Now you're sounding more and more like professor albania everyday !!! Claiming to be someone he is not and then deny he said it the next day. Just as you claim not to be an American!!! Oh--maybe you are professsor albania-–one who squats on stolen land-- the albanian occupier who protests of others and accuses them to be occupiers.

That's a prime example of his trademark--post it-- then deny it--until someone proves it- then ignore it !!!!

And once again-- you're very confused about your history-- who provided the necessary technology to Israel to complete their development of nuclear weapons??? The US-you say !! Wrong !!!!!

It was France !!!

John A June 17th, 2009 2322 GMT

G – Why do Russian Jews arrive in Israel every week to start a new life in what was once a Palestinian home.

**********************************

John A Cut N Paste,

Where do you get this stuff from???? What makes you think there are Russians immigrating to live in "what was once a Palestinian home" ??

Why can't you simply tell the truth ??

If they do move into "what was once a Palestinian home"--it would be because they bought it !!!!! Wow !!!! What a novel concept !!!! But, being as knowledgeable of the subject as you claim to be-– you know the real truth is that there are no Palestinian homes available and there are no Palestinians leaving there homes and giving them to the Israelis. You also know that the Palestinians can't sell their homes to an Israeli because they would be executed by the PA.

Everyone else knows this also-so why waste your time regurgitating inciteful rhetoric that no one believes??? It must be simply because that is who you are !!!!! It must give you joy and a feeling of purpose in life !!!!

But it just amazes me that you can't seem to accept the fact that Israel has the right, as a sovereign nation, to accept anyone they so choose into the their country.

It's their right-- I guess you'll just simply be a angry person forever-because that will never change !!

John A Cut N Paste,

John A June 17th, 2009 2240 GMT

But Filipe I suppose what you’re trying to say in your feeble way is that you support Zionists murdering Arabs and occupying their lands and denying them basic human rights.

************************************

professor john albania cut n paste,

You should not even attempt to "suppose what I am trying to say"!!

You fail miserably at even knowing what you say yourself. It's quite obvious from your previous post.

So-– you should make an attempt to fully comprehend what I actually say-– leave out any personal interpretations you might consider-–as they will invariably be in error.

Just read, read again– if you don't understand-read again-maybe a little more slowly-and if you still don't understand--ask !!!!! But making suppositions will do nothing more than confuse you further.

Are you sure that you and CS didn't go to the same school?? You both seem to have this same problem with comprehension and interpretive skills. You guys are constantly getting the facts all twisted around and confused.

Heaven help us. Miriam returns to the Jews were there first argument.

First of all King David conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The Jews never founded the city of Jerusalem, they invaded it.

The Jews held this city for 400 years. The Jews never ruled the entire region. The Jews were always a minority in the region.

Neither the Greeks, Romans, Persians, Crusaders, Ottomans or British ever fought large scale battle with a Jewish army when these ancient empires captured Palatine. No large scale battle, because the Jews were always a minority.

A very funny though is to imagine an ancient Jewish navy protecting its shores from invaders. Never was a Jewish navy, never was a Jewish state.

Jews have been allowed to practice their religion in the region for thousands of years. Practicing religion does not give ownership of the land.

So can we can move away from the Jews were there first & the Arabs threw the first stone BS.

Back to today and back to reality. Israel mass murdered unarmed Palestinian civilians last December. The murder has a history of 50 years, since Israels occupation of Arabic lands started after the 6 day war.

For 50 years the Jews have been breaking the Geneva convention and illegally transferring Jewish citizens onto land occupied by Israels army. The transfer they call settlements are actually cities, some with 100,000+ population.

This is illegal. It is Israel military expansion which is behind the tension in the middle east. And even Israels ancient history was founded on military conquest i.e. King David conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites.

Regardless of history there is no reason for Israel to treat the Palestinians as less than human, to massacre, rob and destroy.

Zionist who deny this simply don’t wont to stop the inhumane behavior. Israels single contribution to the modern world is the Middle East crises and subsequent civil resistance. Palestine is a society without an army to defend itself. When individuals fight back they are labelled terrorists. In which case George Washington was also a terrorist. History flatters the victor and demonizes the loser. For 60 years the Palestinians have lost their human rights, hence Zionists call them terrorists.

Miriam incase you want to pretend the Jews were the naturally inhabitants of Israel, you might like to read some history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jebusites

Maybe when you get an education, you will finally realize you have no reason to persecute Palestinians.

CS June 17th, 2009 1032 GMT

Yeah, I know Miriam, Palestine is SOOOO rich that they sit on wealth, and rely on tunnels to get food, and have no military, and it\’s children are denied school materials delivered by sea…which are subsequently intercepted by Israel. I guess all those crayons are now in evidence being examined as aid to terrorists. HAHAHAHA!!
*************************************************************

CS,

That's the whole point-- it's to keep the sheeple like you blind to what is really going on within the PA and their inner workings and financing.

The American School in Gaza is owned by the Palestinian Investment Fund-- the Board of Directors are chosen by Abbas. Their assets are not disclosed. But you can google Palestinian Investment Fund-and see for yourself-– check out a list of their holdings.

Just because the masses scream poverty- doesn't mean they're not getting screwed by their own government.

John A Cut N Paste,

As You say, back to today and back to reality !!!!!! How about that!!!1

The State of Israel exists by decree of the UN and UK.

So you need to just get over it. Nothing you will ever do will change that!

The UN and the UK also, by the same decree-- provided for an Arab State-- but the Arabs decided they didn't agree-they wanted all the land -100%.

Sorry they made a bad choice--no they are paying the consequences.

It's certainly no ones' fault but their own !!!!

So there's no need to continue to try and blame Israel for the ongoing stupidity of the Arabs.

It's like your Idol Jimmy Carter said-–"“The only way to avoid this tragedy happening again is to have genuine peace,” he added, pointing out that many Palestinians are now fighting each other in the West Bank and Gaza because of their affiliations with Hamas orFatah.

“It’s very important that Palestinians agree with each other, to
cooperate and stop attacking each other and to build a common approach to an election that I hope to witness and observe next January the 25th.”

He knows who needs to step up to the plate !!!!

Why don't you ???? Are you too blinded by hate and bigotry to see??

John A'

No one says there wasn't anyone in Canaan before Abraham arrived or during the conquest led by Joshua.

However the Jews are the only existing people who can prove a continous connection to and inhabitation in The Land.
Your lies about Jews today having nothing to do with biblical Jews does not hold a drop of water.
Nor do the fictitious claims of the Palestinians that they were the Jebusites!

John A Cut N Paste,

You said-"For 60 years the Palestinians have lost their human rights, hence Zionists call them terrorists."

**********************************************

And just how did that happen??? Was it when Israel declared itself a sovereign state??

Or was it when Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria herded them all into the refugee camps like a bunch of cattle and locked the doors ???

The world calls those who use violence against the Israeli civilian population terrorists.

This word was not invented by the Israelis.

John A June 18th, 2009 1438 GMT

Miriam incase you want to pretend the Jews were the naturally inhabitants of Israel, you might like to read some history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jebusites

Maybe when you get an education, you will finally realize you have no reason to persecute Palestinians.
***************************************************************

John A Cut N Paste,

So, once again-all you have manged to do is confirm that the Israelites lived in the land long before the Arab invaders came!

So, what is your point anyway???

Everyone already knew this !!!!!

It doesn't change anything !!!

Israel will still be there and maybe--just maybe-someday there will be an Arab State-– if the Arabs will stop fighting and killing each other long enough to try to make that happen.

Just a bunch of slow lerners !!!!!

John A June 18th, 2009 1428 GMT

Jews have been allowed to practice their religion in the region for thousands of years. Practicing religion does not give ownership of the land.

**********************************

professor john a cut n paste,,

So, I guess that settles it. You are no longer deluded. You actually acknowledge that there have been Jews in the land for thousands of years.

That is all any one has ever claimed--that the Israelites were there. That is is their ancestral homeland !!

After all, if they practiced their religion there--then they actually lived there. So, if they lived there, then why do you think the land was not theirs??? Were they just living there at the will of some other people?? I never heard that story anywhere.

All of the other early inhabitants of the land have become extinct. All except the Israelites.

Because all the other tribes are extinct-–you think this should disqualify the Israelites from calling this their ancestral homeland???

Get over it !!!

Your postings prove you're misguided and misrepresent truth.

March 1,1920: In an attack by large numbers of Arabs from the village of Halsa, 8 Jews were killed at Tel Hai, including Josef Trumpeldor.

On August 23, 1929, over a thousand Arabs in three main groups emerged from the old city of Jerusalem and attacked any Jew they could catch in several of the Jewish quarters of the city, and in its suburbs. Attacks on Jews quickly spread throughout Palestine. By nightfall of August 26, 133 Jews had been killed and 339 wounded, including:

In Hebron, 59 Jewish men, women and children were killed on August 24. In one house alone, 23 were killed and then dismembered; many others were tortured and maimed.

20 Jews killed in Safed — mostly children and old people. 32 wounded, several tortured.

7 Jews killed in Hadar Hacarmel.

In Motza, 6 Jews killed, including 2 children and a rabbi.

In Tel Aviv, 6 Jews killed. 2 Jews killed in Beer-Toviya. Settlement looted and then set on fire.

June 18th, 2009 1336 GMT

“Israel is the one that started the pogroms not the Palestinians”

You are not only a liar, but also not very intelligent if you write allegations easily to be lies:

Organized Arab Terrorism Begins in 1920

March 1,1920: In an attack by large numbers of Arabs from the village of Halsa, 8 Jews were killed at Tel Hai, including Josef Trumpeldor.

April 25, 1920: Following the murder by Arabs of a Jewish settler, the whole settlement of Bnei Yehuda (east of the Sea of Galilee) was abandoned.

Other settlements attacked by Arab terrorists in March and April 1920: Ayelet Hashahar, Mishmar HaYarden, Mahanayim, Rosh Pina, Sharona, Kfar Tavor, Degania, and Menahemya.

As a result of repeated attacks by Arab terrorists in 1920, a number of other Jewish agricultural settlements were evacuated, including Metulla, Kfar Giladi, and Hamara.

Attacks Continue in May 1921:

May 1921: Arabs attack Jews in Rehovot, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Petah Tikva and Haifa.
May 1921: Arabs attack Jewish Quarter of the Old City

Widespread Arab Attacks August 23 – 26, 1929

On August 23, 1929, over a thousand Arabs in three main groups emerged from the old city of Jerusalem and attacked any Jew they could catch in several of the Jewish quarters of the city, and in its suburbs. Attacks on Jews quickly spread throughout Palestine. By nightfall of August 26, 133 Jews had been killed and 339 wounded, including:

In Hebron, 59 Jewish men, women and children were killed on August 24. In one house alone, 23 were killed and then dismembered; many others were tortured and maimed.

20 Jews killed in Safed — mostly children and old people. 32 wounded, several tortured.

7 Jews killed in Hadar Hacarmel.

In Motza, 6 Jews killed, including 2 children and a rabbi.

In Tel Aviv, 6 Jews killed. 2 Jews killed in Beer-Toviya. Settlement looted and then set on fire.

Settlement of Ekron looted and then destroyed.

Beit HaKerem attacked.

1 Jew killed in Hulda.

Onslaught of Arab Terror, 1936:

April 15, 1936: 2 Jews in Tulkarm killed by Arabs.
April 19: 9 Jews in Jaffa killed by Arabs.
April 20: 5 Jews in Jaffa killed by Arabs.
April 22: Jewish woman in Jaffa killed by Arabs.
April 26: Jewish houses in Nazareth and Beit Shean burned by Arabs.
April 26: An Arab mob beats up Jewish boy in Jerusalem.
April 28: 4 Jewish farm workers in Migdal injured by Arabs.
April 29: Arabs burn down a Jewish forest in Balfouriya.
April 29: Arab mob forms in Jerusalem, but British police break it up before Jews harmed.
May 1: 2 Jews in Haifa killed by Arabs.
May 3: Arab mob burns down Jewish timber yard in Haifa.
May 4: Jewish orchards in Mishmar Ha-Emek burned by Arabs.
May 4: Arabs destroy 200 acres of wheat in Ramat David.
May 5: 500 orange trees uprooted in Tel Mond by Arabs.
May 7: Arabs fire on Jewish bus in Beit Dagan.
May 10: Arabs burn crops and haystacks in Givat Ada.
May 10: Arabs uproot newly planted olive grove in Zikhron Yaakov.
May 11: Arabs burn Jewish crops in Ramat David.
May 12: Arabs burn threshing floor in Zikhron Yaakov.
May 13: 2 elderly Jews murdered by Arabs in Old City.
May 13: Jewish shops in Haifa stoned by Arabs.
May 13: More orchards burned in Mishmar Ha-Emek.
May 16: 3 Jews in Jerusalem shot dead by Arabs while coming out of a cinema.
May 19: Arabs kill a Jew in the Old City of Jerusalem.
May 20: 2 Jews wounded during Arab attack on bus.
May 24: Arabs severely wound a Jewish guard at Majd el Krum.
May 25: Arabs kill a Jew at Hebrew University.

John A Cut n Paste,

Just admit it !!!

You're nothing more than a bigoted and racist American who has nothing more to do than whine, cry, complain and and whimper about the US foreign policy to those who really don't care.

You've said many times that you're not an American-- so be it-you're still a squatter on land that belongs to the Mexicanos or the Native Americans-- go back to Albania- you're relatives would welcome you there!!!!!

Miriam & Filipe, it seems you have employed your usual tactics of misquoting people and then pointing out mistakes that people never made. Its a shame that you find the truth to be so repulsive.

Filipe I'm not American and Americans are not the only people who realize Israels government has committed endless atrocities against unarmed Palestinian civilians.

Miriam its true that the Jews have a historical link to Palestine, but so do the Arabs. The Jews have obviously have less of a claim, but they do have a claim. This is why a two state solution is the only solution.

Filipe asking Israel to stop using its military from attacking civilians does not make me an anti Semite or a racist.

Nobody on this blog has ever asked for the state of Israel to disappear or be destroyed. We just ask that Israel refrains from its attempts to destroy and murder Palestinians.

Filipe what you defend is indefensible. Opposing Hitler does not make me racist against Germans. Opposing the Zionist ethnic cleansing of Palestine does not make me racist against Jews. In fact many Jews will agree with me

http://www.gisha.org/

The only Jews who do not see a reason to protect Palestinian human rights are false in their religion and a danger to man kind. Bad people are bad no matter what their religion.

To pretend there are not Jews who disrespect Arabs is actually a racist concept. You are pretending that Jews are above such a thing. Racism is in fact a world wide phenomenon. All societies suffer from it. The problem in Israel is that racism is repent and the constant denials are an attempt to ignore this obvious fact.

Filipe Miriam and University rector if you want to help the situation please visit this website:

http://www.gisha.org/

Your financial contribution to Jews against racism will be very welcome. Although I doubt you will find it in your hearts to donate to such a worthy cause

With corrections
Miriam & Filipe, it seems you have employed your usual tactics of misquoting people and then pointing out mistakes that people never made. Its a shame that you find the truth to be so repulsive.

Filipe I’m not American and Americans are not the only people who realize Israels government has committed endless atrocities against unarmed Palestinian civilians.

Miriam its true that the Jews have a historical link to Palestine, but so do the Arabs. The Jews obviously have less of a claim, but they do have a claim. This is why a two state solution is the only solution.

Filipe asking Israel to stop using its military from attacking civilians does not make me an anti Semite or a racist.

Nobody on this blog has ever asked for the state of Israel to disappear or be destroyed. We just ask that Israel refrains from its attempts to destroy and murder Palestinians.

Filipe what you defend is indefensible. Opposing Hitler does not make me racist against Germans. Opposing the Zionist ethnic cleansing of Palestine does not make me racist against Jews. In fact many Jews will agree with me

http://www.gisha.org/

The only Jews who do not see a reason to protect Palestinian human rights are false in their religion and a danger to man kind. Bad people are bad no matter what their religion.

To pretend there are not Jews who disrespect Arabs is actually a racist concept. You are pretending that Jews are above such a thing. Racism is in fact a world wide phenomenon. All societies suffer from it. The problem in Israel is that racism is rampant and the constant denials are an attempt to ignore this obvious fact.

Filipe Miriam and University rector if you want to help the situation please visit this website:

http://www.gisha.org/

Your financial contribution to Jews against racism will be very welcome. Although I doubt you will find it in your hearts to donate to such a worthy cause

John A Cut N Paste,

You said "Miriam its true that the Jews have a historical link to Palestine, but so do the Arabs. The Jews have obviously have less of a claim, but they do have a claim. This is why a two state solution is the only solution."

"Filipe asking Israel to stop using its military from attacking civilians does not make me an anti Semite or a racist."

****************************************************

Just how is that you have determined that the Israelis have less of a claim to the land of Judea than the Arabs???

How did you decide this ??? -- or has someone told you this??

Is it because the the Arabs came from Arabia??? Or is it because there are more Arabs than Israelites?? Just what criteria have you used to make this determination??

I'm sure you have a good sound logical explanation !!!!

Your continued ranting and raving about Israeli military and their actions-- yet failure to even mention or acknowledge that the Palestinians are at fault for indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks-–even to the point of making a mockery as to their power and effectiveness-- speaks for itself !!! You are quite obviously an angry bigoted, anti-Semite. And about atrocities committed by the Palestinians- You fail to acknowledge that any have ever taken place.

You even admitted to renouncing the Christian religion because it followed the teachings Judaism too closely !!!!! What does that say ??? You didn't say you renounced your faith because you didn't believe-–you renounced it because of it's proximity to Judaism !!!!

And exactly who have I misquoted???? - Can you cite an example??

Your tirades might actually be taken as truthful statements if you were to provide specifics. But we already know that's not possible.

Do you believe that the State of Israel has the right to exist???

A simple Yes or No will be sufficient !!!

Go ahead and cite some more US history in a lame attempt to prove prove views. And when your all done --tell us again your not American !!!!!

Ethnic cleansing of Palestine !!!!!!! What a hoot !!!!! Where does that stuff come from ?????

Are you speaking of the forced expulsion of the Jews from Palestine??? Because the fact is, over 90% of the population of the Palestinian territories are Palestinian Arabs.

as usual johnny baby ignores facts, decides that the long list of arab terror against jews long before the state of israel was founded does not exist and blames the jews for the situation in israel, west bank and gaza

so here we go again

the problem is muslim terror

the problem is the arab refusal to recognize the fact that there is a jewish state and that it will continue to be there

the poblem is arab refusal to negtotiate, arabs demand that their dictat and nothing else will bring a solution

the arab solution is the destruction of the state of israel and this is what you, johmmy baby support. you have said it again and again, you support the arab solution and no hiding behind words "the two state solution is right" can change that, since you support the arab "two state solution" which calls for flooding israel with five million arabs.

that is not a two state solution and YOU KNOW IT

so get down your racist tree and face facts!!

gisha .org called by johnny baby :jews against racism

hahahahaha

here are some of these "Jews" agains racism:

Kawthar Habib Allah
Ayda Abdalbari
Nathalie Abou Laban

some "jews"

John A -

You claim that you are being misquoted, but, as usual, you provide no proof. Please cite the posts that you feel were misquoted by Filipe or Miriam. We'll see who finds the truth repulsive.

What, specifically, does Filipe defend that is indefensible? Israel's right to exist? Israel's right to defend itself and its population against continuous Palestinian terrorism? Where has Filipe or Miriam ever advocated Zionist ethnic cleansing of Palestine?

When people like you have no more logical arguments or proof, they invariably play the race card. I find that cowardly. It's not the color of their skin; it is the content of their character. Does that ring a bell? Just because you can't win an argument with facts, logic, or proof does not mean the person you disagree with is a racist. It usually just means that you are wrong.

I like former President Carter. I'm old, so remember a little his time in office. He's a smart and sensitive man. Perhaps not our greatest President, but nice and smart. Many things around the world should upset smart and sensitive people, the slaughter in Darfur, the treatment of women in general, global warming, Gaza. I think that it is aweful that so many healthy men and women live in Gaza and no one in the ME will hire them for jobs!!!! Who are these oil countries? How much kindness would it take?

Perhaps it is a fear of violence. Fear is a powerful thing. I think people in the ME need to move forward. The US cannot do it for them. It's a tough world.

Are the Palestinians being treated like animals?

The Palestinians claim to be locked up in a prison/cage (Gaza).

Does the outside world have to provide them with food? – Yes
Does the outside world provide them with medicine/medical care? – Yes
Are the Palestinians dangerous to humans if you get too close? – Yes

The answers seem to fit the classification of either animals or violent prisoners.

John A Cut N Paste,

you said "To pretend there are not Jews who disrespect Arabs is actually a racist concept. You are pretending that Jews are above such a thing."

"Filipe what you defend is indefensible."

********************************************************************

Again you fail to accept the truth.

Did I ever say that there not any Jews who disrespect Arabs??

Where did you get that from??

Making stuff up as you along again??

And just what is it that you think I am defending???

I've always said that no one is above the rule of law--no one. Everyone is equal under the law !!!!

But I do believe that your particular type of lynch mob mentality does not constitute rule of law or racial impartiality . It is nothing more than racist bigotry aimed at a particular group of people.

They've only been accused by you and others like you and deemed to be guilty in the court of your opinion.

It's really obvious you are so blinded with hate that you think you need to accuse others in order to cleanse yourself having such feelings.

Just because I don't whine and cry and carry on multiple times daily about things that Israel has done over the past 4 millenia-you assume I approve and ignore it.

Sorry-– but your wrong again !!!!!!

I simply expect that the rule of law will make the final call. And it's not for me or you or anyone on this blog or the Internet or the media to decide guilt !

You're not judge, jury and executioner !!!! Even though you appear to think so !

CNN

you are censoring me again

but johnny baby cut and paste is allowed to spread his hate and lies as freely as he wants

CNN you are assholes

university rector -

CNN censors my comments too. Maybe they are routing their Internet through Iran. :)

I speak the truth about Islam. CNN wIll let Jew-haters post lies all day long, but speak truthfully about Islam and its unlikely anyone will ever see your posts here.

“I don’t believe it’s true,” Carter said. “I don’t know anything about
it.

Typical Carter. Making judgements and then admitting he really doesn't know what he's talking about...

Good to hear that US wants the UN RESOULATION on North Korea implimented .
It seems that the administration and the foreign does not know that there are more important resoulations on Palestine, Kashmir etc
( Alarge number of them) tha6t have not been implimented....and US has kept quite about them.
How many times US has vetoed the Resoulations that did not favour them. They has gone totally against for what they stand for. There are a nuber of facts that US seriously needs to look into

muhammad – Why should resolutions on Palestine and Kashmir have anything to do with the US? They are not US territories. Why should they be more important than North Korea who has threatened us with nuclear war?

Why wouldn't the US veto resolutions that don't favor us? You make no sense at all. We are not the world police. We are not responsible for all the places in the world where Islam causes terrorism and war. Maybe your mullah can explain it to you.

If you have problems with the Muslim conflicts in Israel, Kashmir, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Morocco, UAE, Pakistan, Turkey, India, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, the Philippines or virtually any other place where there are Muslims, you should contact the UN. There is no country of Palestine. There never has been.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKUZuv6_bus&feature=player_embedded

Amazing rooftop poem in Iran at night. Must See!!!!!!

muhammed

how many UN resolutions have the Arabs violated?

Let's start with the one that called for an arab and a jewish stse

THEY REJECTED THE RESOLUTION

they started a war

they LOST

get it, they lost the war they started in 1948

they were beaten in a war the arabs started

they lost

can you understand that

when you start a war and lose, you should shut up and make no demands of the winning siDe

you see, you started it, now bear the consequences

get it? I guess not, you don't, do you

YOU LOST THE WAR YOU STARTED

Hi Mo. It makes me sad that there is so much violence in the ME. There is violence in many places. My country has it. I like the ME. I've never been a fan of N. Korea. Wouldn't blog there. I hope they are nice and China stops supporting them. I do like China. In college, took Eastern Civilization in college. N. Korea, I have some major doubts. My friends from Asia, Vietnam, where ever, say that China feeds them. I guess. No idea. I think they should stop if so. Violence is bad. The U.S. won't have N. Korea as allies anytime soon, so that should not be the fear.

Mostly, I do hope that N. Korea releases the young women who goofed and went to their country for whatever reason. Spies? Get real. I hope China is a little more watchful. China has always been watchful, but in the stress of these times may be isn't as watchful. I'm a China fan. I like it. It's different. I like that. It's ancient too. I think we can learn a lot, a lot, from their methods. How do many get along and feed and care for the over population that exists?

People may mess with U.S. We are soft hearted and have our weaknesses. How many, really, mess with China. No one in their right mind that I know of. I hope that they step up and take the responsibility of being a powerful place. I hope they are reserved and careful and don't get sucked dry by people just using them. Balance.

Men are men in my book. Or not. I've seen a lot of nots. They either work and take care of the generation in their charge and move forward or they cop out.

In my country, women and men are desperately trying to get jobs. I don't see that too much in Gaza. Are they? Shouldn't there be some jobs in the ME? Factories, oil wells, whatever in whatever country? Most countries are closer than U.S. states and I've transferred to several. To exist you either work, steal, or beg. I like working.

According to the following article I read in the Washington Post,

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/14/AR2009061401757.html,

the election in Iran may have been fair. Could we at least study the question? I would hate to see the US get into another war based on a trumped up story. Understand what's really happening in Iran. Though the Grand Mullah may have said that protestors will be dealt with, he did not say that there would be a call for "blood" as CNN said yesterday.

Frederic Rounds,

Really-- no call for blood ?????

Have not watched the news reports--looks like plenty of blood is flowing to me.

As well, there are reports of foreign forces being used to repel the protesters because they are speaking Arabic-- why would they need foreigners quell the violence??? Reports are that the the Iranian forces are resistant to using the degree of violence they have instructed to use.

Also---

Meanwhile, the prosecutor general of the central province of Isfahan warned that those behind post-election unrest could face the death penalty under Islamic law.

There were also unconfirmed reports that Mohammad Asgari, who was responsible for the security of the IT network in Iran’s interior ministry, was killed yesterday in a suspicious car accident in Tehran. Asgari had reportedly leaked evidence that the elections were rigged to alter the votes from the provinces. Asgari was said to have leaked information that showed Mousavi had won almost 19m votes, and should therefore be president.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/17/iran-protests-crackdown

Still think there's no "call for blood" ????

G wrote: In my country, women and men are desperately trying to get jobs. I don’t see that too much in Gaza
-------------------------------

G your blind racism has no limits.

Do the men & women in your country also have a Israeli blockade?
Do they have a large Israeli built wall around them, to prevent movement?
Does the Israeli army hold them under house arrest without charge?
Are your friend towns patrolled by tanks and kept under curfew?
Have your friends been recently bombed and had their civilian infrastructure totally destroyed by the Israeli army.

G you have no shame, but then again neither do the Zionist killers in Israel.

Even though Israels politics is essentially fascists and racist, there are some good Jews. G why don't you join them and learn about the situation. Visit http://www.gisha.org/

John A Cut N Paste'

What prevents the Palestinians from creating heir own jobs in Palestine??? You make it sound as though Israel is obligated to give them jobs in Israel!! Sorry, but that's not how it works. Those in Gaza need to work in Gaza or leave via Egypt to pursue opportunities. Those in the West Bank need to work in the West bank-or leave via Jordan to pursue opportunities.

You should address your rants of racial hatred and fascism to Egypt and Jordan.

Don't you get it-– the Israelis don't want them in Israel-- they are danger to the general population and a hazard to the personal welfare of the Israelis. Granted, some Palestinians do have work permits which permit them to work in Israel. But it is not some God given "right" the Palestinians were born with !!

How is it that questioning their desire to work for a living is a racist statement.

The last time I checked-– Palestinians were not considered a "race" !

But it's like Barry has said-–when you have no valid reason to respond to someones' post or position-you resort to calling them racist or other derogatory names.

Grow up-or are you still in middle school ??

Also------– I'm still waiting for you to disclose exactly where and how I misquoted you !!!!!

What's wrong-– can't find anything ????

Filipe you write idiotic statements as usual. No country could provide work for its citizens if its boarders were sealed and its people live under military occupation and curfew.

As I said to G, try reading facts before spouting your usual rubbish.

http://www.gisha.org/

http://mazinx.wordpress.com/2008/05/page/2/

They're called "Refuseniks" but not for refusing to serve. They've done it proudly and courageously, and here's how "Courage to Refuse" members state their position:

"We, reserve officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)....have always served in the front lines....were first to carry out any mission, light or heavy, (and we did it) to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.

We....served....long weeks every year, in spite of dear cost to our personal lives, have been on reserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country (but were only given to perpetuate) our control over the Palestinian people. We('ve)....seen the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.

....the commands issued to us in the Territories (have) destroy(ed) all the values (we learned) growing up in this country.

....the (way) the Occupation (undermines the) IDF's human character and (exposes) the corruption of the entire Israeli society.

We....know that the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated in the end.

We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements.

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

We hereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Forces in any mission that serves Israel's defense.

The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall take no part in them."

These are courageous men and some women, hundreds of them. Their "Courage to Refuse – Combatant's Letter" web site lists 550 by name. There are hundreds more as well. Their numbers are growing, and their resistance is firm. There are five separate refusenik groups. They're listed below. Courage to Refuse is one of them.

Yesh Gvul (There is A Limit)

Yesh Gvul combats the "misuse of the IDF for unworthy ends" that includes the occupation of Palestine. It was established during Israel's 1982 Lebanon invasion that they denounced as a "naked (act of) aggression in which they wanted no part." It supports imprisoned members and their families, holds vigils where they're held, informs the public of their status, and embraces a peace agenda. They state that "as responsible citizens (they) declare that (they) will take no part in the continued oppression of the Palestinian people (nor will they) participate in policing actions or in guarding the settlements."

They further say that as "an Israeli peace group" they oppose the occupation and support soldiers who refuse to be part of it. They call the Israeli army's role "brutal" and "subjugating." It places servicemen "in a grave and moral and political dilemma (because it requires them) to enforce policies they deem illegal, immoral and ultimately harmful to Israeli interests." Many of their members are combat officers, they've served with distinction, and they rank from sergeant to major. They hold different political views, support peace but no one specific program, and they back a "two-state" solution they believe is "key to (peacefully resolving) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

The Shministim

The Shministim is made up of high school seniors approaching age 18 after which Jewish and Druze men and women face mandatory military service, except for exemptions on religious, health and other accepted grounds. The organization no longer maintains a web site.

Courage to Refuse (The Combatants Letter)

The organization was founded in 2002 by a group of 50 combat officers and soldiers after its members realized that their missions had nothing to do with defending Israel. They're to colonize Palestine and oppress its people. They further believe that many commands issued them harm Israel's strategic interests and they refuse to obey them.

They've served their country and support it, but they determined that "fighting in Gaza and....West Bank (was counterproductive): by obeying orders they would not be protecting the lives of their dear ones." They believe "the Occupation poses a threat to the security of Israel." They stated their beliefs openly in "The Combatant's Letter." Hundreds of IDF members signed it and joined "Courage to Refuse." New members join weekly, and Yaffee Center for Strategic Studies surveys show that over 25% of Israelis sympathize with their struggle.

They continue to perform reserve duty, but won't serve in the Occupied Territories. Over 280 of them have been court-martialed and jailed for up to 35 days. Yet they've "won a warm place for the movement in the hearts of many Israelis" who support their self-sacrifice and willingness to be imprisoned for their beliefs.

Hundreds of Israeli professors signed petitions for them. Sami Michael is acting chairman of the Israeli Association for Human Rights. He said that refusing the occupation is not just a moral act, it's the purest form of patriotism in Israel today. Their reasons for not serving are stated above.

The Pilots Group

The Pilots Group maintains a web site in Hebrew only, so it can't be monitored by non-Hebrew readers. In September 2003, 27 of their members (including reserve Brigadier General Yiftah Spector) published their statement for the first time. It declared they would no longer fly missions against West Bank and Gaza civilians, that doing so is illegal and immoral, and they denounced targeted assassinations.

On Israeli television, one pilot said: "We veteran pilots and active pilots alike....are opposed to carrying out illegal and immoral attacks, of the type carried out by Israel in the Territories. We....love the State of Israel (but) refuse to take part in air force attacks in civilian populations centers. We refuse to continue harming innocent civilians."

They knew they could be punished for their stance and for their "illegitimate" and "forbidden" statement, according to Israel's chief of army staff, Moshe Ya'alon. Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief Dan Halutz downplayed their action, said announcing it on national television was "inappropriate," and called it "the mother of all dangers to our people."

Because of it, they were expelled from the IAF, denounced as traitors, and went public again two months later to explain further. One captain's comment was typical: "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 protect unnecessary loss of life. Somewhere in the last few years it became harder and harder to believe that is the case."

A single incident changed them. It was the bombing of Hamas military leader Salah Shehade's home that killed him and 14 members of his family, nine of whom were children. One pilot called it "murder," another "state terrorism," still another "vengeance," and all agreed they could no longer perform these missions.

Lt. Colonel Avner Raanan was one of them. He's one of Israel's most respected and decorated pilots. He signed the letter and stated: "If you look at the past three years, you see that, if we had a suicide bombing, the Israeli air force made a big operation in which civilians were killed, and that looks to innocent eyes like revenge. You hear it in the streets of Israel; people want revenge. But we should not behave like that. We are not a mafia."

Referring to an attack on Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp, another pilot added: "Is it legitimate to take F-15s and helicopters designed to destroy enemy tanks, and use them against cars and houses in one of the most heavily populated places in the world....we have become blinded by the blood on our own faces. We cannot see that on the other side....is a whole nation of innocent people."

The pilots' action and statements shook Israeli society. Their superiors condemned them, but over 500 supportive letters disagreed, including one from a holocaust survivor and others from fellow pilots. In addition, former left wing cabinet ministers also praised their courage.

Sayeret Matkal

This is an elite IDF commando unit that maintains no web site. In December 2003, 13 of its reservists and officers (including one major) wrote the Prime Minister declaring their refusal to serve henceforth in the Territories. Their statement read: "We say to you today, we will no longer give our hands to the oppressive reign in the territories and the denial of human rights to millions of Palestinians, and we will no longer serve as a defensive shield for the settlement enterprise."

Members of this commando group carried out the 1976 Entebbe, Uganda airport raid that rescued 100 hostages on an Air France hijacked plane. They rarely serve in the Territories, but their announcement was significant because of the group's standing in Israeli society. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak once commanded them and led a raid against a 1972 hijacked Sabena plane at Tel Aviv airport. He asked the signers to reconsider, called their letter a grave mistake, and said "it's not too late to correct it...." Other officials also condemned them, but Meretz Knesset Member (MK) Roman Bronfman believed they acted bravely, and Labor MK Ophir Pines said it requires that serious discussion be held.

In May 2004, Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy was supportive. He urged more soldiers to speak out, discuss their actions in the Territories, and ask why they serve there "to protect groups of delusional settlers (and) what their systematic abuse of the Palestinians has to do with security....how many innocent people (have) they killed and (keep on) killing."

He noted that Israelis don't know what goes on in the Territories, so it's up to soldiers to "lift this screen....The Palestinians aren't believed, the Israeli press (keeps) its distance from the Territories and the international press is perceived as hostile. Only the soldiers can break the vicious circle....No one (can) deny their accounts....it's time (for them) to stand up and speak out....how they killed and jailed and humiliated for no good reason."

Excerpts From Soldiers Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence (Shovrim Shtika) dedicates itself to two purposes:

– exposing IDF oppression in occupied Palestine; and

– providing discharged Israeli soldiers and reservists a platform to explain what they were ordered to do on the ground.

In their own words, hundreds of their testimonies tell shocking stories – the ordeal they faced, its moral price, and the corrupting erosion it had on their values. They focus on orders gotten, rules of engagement and operational procedures that include frequent illegal commands:

– firing at civilians posing no risk;

– revenge operations for collective punishment; and

– intentionally attacking Palestinian rescue forces, including ambulances.

Their accounts are disturbing. They portray institutionalized moral corruption, universal contempt for Arabs, and how it affects everyone from new recruits to commanders. Rules of engagement are unrestrained, government oversight is non-existent, so reporting abuse is urgent. They want it stopped and demand an independent body to do it.

It goes on everywhere in occupied Palestine with Hebron a prominent example because it's the only Palestinian city with an Israeli settlement in its center. Sixty-four soldiers from the Nachal brigade spoke out, they were there during the Second Intifada, and their testimonies recount horrors on the ground they were ordered to commit.

They call their experiences "shocking" with photos for confirming evidence. Their collective statement says: "In coping daily with the madness of Hebron, we couldn't remain the same people beneath our uniforms. We saw our buddies and ourselves slowly changing....

We were exposed to the ugly face of terror....an innocent family killed while at the Sabbath table. Countless engagements, bereaved families, innocent civilians injured, chase and arrests.

The settlers....rioted, occupied houses, and confronted the police and army....The constant curfew made Hebron into a ghost town....The school in Jebl Ju'ar has been an army post....We asked ourselves why an army platoon prevents children from going to school. We found no answers.

We decided to speak out....to tell....Hebron isn't in outer space....But it's light years away from Tel Aviv....Come, see, hear and understand what's happening there."

Here are more paraphrased comments:

We man checkpoints, stop people from going somewhere, humiliate them, but "I'm doing my duty (and) inflicting pain on people, harming them unnecessarily." It affects your mind, your sleep the longer you serve there. Jews do as they please. There are no laws. Anything goes, breaking into shops, occupying Palestinian homes. Your judgment gets impaired when everyday your enemy is an Arab. You don't look at them as people. But they're not dogs, not animals, not inferior, yet they simply don't count, and since they're your enemy you can kill them.

At checkpoints, our job was don't let them pass. It was absurd, there were old ladies who had to get through to go home. Why was it forbidden to pass? It was collective punishment. "You're not allowed to pass because you're not allowed to pass." Then there are the curfews. "I'm certain that 80% of the time there was a curfew." We closed all the stores and sent everyone home.

I'm ashamed of myself because I realized I enjoy the feeling of power. I'm the Law. It's a mighty feeling. It's because you have a weapon, because you're a soldier, it's addictive. You can do whatever you want, unsupervised, enter people's homes, conduct random searches. Tell them what you want and they'll do it because they're afraid. Palestinians feel you don't let them walk in the streets, work, live or breathe.

I have a machine gun, it's loaded, the safety catch is off. I can shoot you any time, for any reason, split your head open with the gun butt and my commander will pat me on the back and say good job. It's crazy, I'm just a kid, but Hebron hardens you. I say to myself I'm doing something I don't believe in, and I'm putting myself in a position where someone wants to kill me because of it. You see things that couldn't possibly happen in your own home and shouldn't happen. But here everything is different.

Any time of day or night, whenever we feel like it, we pick a house, any house, and we go in. We move all the men into one room, the women in another, and place them under guard. We can do whatever we want. There's no justification for it. It shouldn't be happening.

Then there are the settlers. They run wild. There's no law. They do what they please. So they burn another shop, trash another home, occupy another one, no big deal, happens all the time. We just watch and do nothing.

If someone is sick and needs to go to the hospital, I ask my commander if I can let her pass. No way if there's a curfew. She's not going anywhere no matter how sick. All these stories are my daily routine for over six months. When it ended, I questioned whether I protected myself or my country. I began watching out for myself because I didn't believe in the ideology.

Serving in Hebron made me feel there's something different about being a Jew. I can't explain it. I'm supposed to guard the settlers who don't have the kind of morality I was raised to believe. I reached a point where I didn't know who the enemy was anymore, Jews or Arabs. Maybe I need to protect the Arabs, not the Jews who attack them. I feel emotionally injured. If someone's caught breaking curfew, we can let them have it aggressively. Hold them, make them wait eight hours with no water, sit and wait. "Why? Because he walked outside. Because he dared go buy something. Because he dared send his kid to school." We can even shoot them.

Selected Israeli Organizations Supporting Refuseniks

Several important ones are covered below:

New Profile

New Profile is a pluralistic feminist organization that includes men and women. It's goal is to transform Israel from a militaristic to a civil society. It opposes occupation and supports all conscientious objectors – from pacifists opposed to war to refuseniks who won't serve in occupied Palestine. Its charter states that "Israel is capable of a determined peace politics. It need not be a militarized society." It understands that "the words 'national security' have often masked calculated decisions to choose military action for the achievement of political goals."

It no longer is "willing to take part in such choices. We are no longer willing to go on being mobilized, raising our children for mobilization....while those in charge of the country go on deploying the army easily, rather than building other solutions."

It's "hard to express this type opinion in Israel today....An attitude that dares question the fundamental principle of willing enlistment is almost incomprehensible in a soldiers' state." We reject perpetuating war. We prioritize and protect life.

"We oppose the use of the army, police, (and) security forces in the ongoing oppression and discrimination of the Palestinian citizens of Israel (and in the Occupied Territories)," in demolishing their homes, "denying them building and development rights, (and) using violence" against them. Thousands of young Israelis are opting out and refuse to serve. They reject military service in Israel today. The IDF states that only one-third of reserve forces in fact serve actively.

Israeli law doesn't recognize conscientious objection. "We regard Israeli conscription law as discriminatory and non-democratic, and call for" recognizing every person's right to act according to his or her conscience. They should have the right to fulfill their social commitment by alternative civic or community means, including through non-governmental, voluntary organizations.

The Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN)

It was founded in 2002 to support Israel's growing "Refuser Movement." RSN supports Courage to Refuse, Combatants for Peace, Yesh G'vul, the Shiministim, New Profile and other Israeli organizations advocating peaceful conflict resolution in Occupied Palestine.

Its original 2002 "Call to Action" declaration said: "The time has come" to act against growing violence. Increasing numbers of Israeli soldiers reject serving in Occupied Palestine. They've seen what goes on, it has nothing to do with security, and its sole purpose is "perpetuating our control over the Palestinian people." They now declare they no longer will help "dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people."

The time has come "to listen to our consciences," summon our courage, and publicly support them. Israel can never have peace and security unless it withdraws from Occupied Palestine. This is a "crucial moment, a potential turning point." Their campaign was initiated from Chicago, but it resonates across the country as a "portal" in support of the Refuser Movement in Israel.

Combatants for Peace

Former Palestinian and Israeli cycle of violence participants are the founders – IDF soldiers and Palestinian resistance fighters. They believe their actions were futile, decided another way is crucial, and now work together for peace. Henceforth, they "refuse to take part (in further) bloodletting." They will only act non-violently through dialogue and reconciliation and work together cooperatively to understand each other's aspirations.

Their goal – end the occupation, halt the settlement project, and establish a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem alongside the State of Israel. They want to raise consciousness, educate both sides, and create political pressure to establish a constructive dialogue for resolution.

They hold meetings, conduct educational lectures and public forums, undertake joint projects, have bi-national media teams to get out their message, and participate in non-violent demonstrations against the occupation. It's motto reads: "Only by joining forces, will we be able to end the cycle of violence."

Israeli Laws Affecting Conscientious Objection and Refuseniks

Conscription existed since Israel became a state in 1948. Today, its legal basis comes under the country's 1986 National Defence Service Law. It requires all Israeli citizens and permanent residents (men and women) to serve. However, the Ministry of Defence has discretion under Article 36 to exempt all non-Jews, except the Druze. Israeli Arabs may volunteer, but they're not encouraged, and very few do it. Reserve service is also required up to age 51 for men and 24 for women.

Exemptions are possible for reasons of:

– educational requirements,

– religion (orthodox Jews are exempted),

– health,

– family considerations,

– married or pregnant women or those with children,

– persons convicted of crimes,

– the undereducated (until they complete at least eight years of school), and

– other considerations at the Ministry of Defence's discretion.

Israeli law rejects conscientious objection rights for men and only partly accepts them for women on the basis of religion. Those who cite it and refuse to serve are in trouble. They're subjected to unfair procedures and hearings that may, and most often do, recommend prosecution and imprisonment.

Israel signed the United Nations Charter and must, under its provisions, comply with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its Article 18 guarantees everyone "the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion." So does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under Article 18 where it repeats that "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion..." By denying refuseniks this right, Israel violates international law and a fundamental human right afforded everyone under it.

No official figures exist, but refusenik numbers have grown since the Second Intifada began in September 2000. Most opt out in the Territories, and estimates of their numbers range from 1100 well-documented cases to as many as double that number. Here's what they face.

Article 35 (a) (2) of the National Defence Service Law states that:

– failure to fulfill a duty under the law is punishable by up to two years imprisonment;

– evading military service is subject to five years in prison;

– refusing to perform reserve duties calls for up to a 56 day sentence that's renewable if the objector refuses repeatedly;

– helping someone avoid military service is punishable by a fine and up to two years in prison;

– disobeying call-up orders means facing up to five years imprisonment, although most often sentences rarely exceed 12 months.

Refuseniks are generally sentenced on one of the following charges:

– refusing to obey an order;

– absence without leave;

– desertion; or

– refusing to be mobilized.

Where exemption applications are denied, individuals are ordered to perform military or reserve duty. Continued refusal can mean discipline or court-martial, and repeat offenders face re-imprisonment in violation of Article 14, paragraph 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It states: "No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an offence for which he (or she) has already been finally convicted or acquitted in accordance with the law and penal procedure of each country."

Summary Comments

Peace activists, people of conscience and most notably Israeli refuseniks are in the front lines of a valiant struggle:

– to free Palestinians from 41 illegal occupation years,

– end decades of abuse,

– achieve a just and lasting peace, and

– protect everyone's fundamental human rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for "all members of the human family...."

Israel must no longer be exempted from international law, from being allowed to flaunt it brazenly, from ignoring over five dozen UN Resolutions going back decades. Peace activists and refuseniks condemn the Jewish state for its actions, deplore it for committing them, and demand, call on and insist Israeli governments end them. Its lawlessness must end, and collective resistance can achieve it. It's no longer an option. It's an obligation to assure that everyone has equal dignity and the right to life, liberty, security and freedom under universal international law.

May 14 is the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding. Commemorations there and in the West will celebrate it. People of conscience won't participate. Refuseniks may not either. Use this time to demand an illegal occupation end and that Israel no longer be allowed a pass on the international law it disdains

John A June 22nd, 2009 1451 GMT

Filipe you write idiotic statements as usual. No country could provide work for its citizens if its boarders were sealed and its people live under military occupation and curfew.

*******************************************************************

John A,

Like I said

1) The Gazans need to work in Gaza-- or leave via Egypt to find gainful employment-– What don't you understand about that statement??

2) Those who reside in the West Bank need to work in the West Bank or leave via Jordan to find employment-– What don't you understand about that statement??

3) The Israelis don't want them in Israel as they are a danger to the general population and a hazard to the personal welfare of the Israelis.

4) It is not a God given "right" for the Palestinians to seek work in Israel.

5) Since when is it a necessity or typical for people who live in one country to seek work in another???? In the EU it's fairly common--but that's the exception to the rule.

6) You should address your rants of racial hatred and fascism to Egypt and Jordan along with your concerns for closed borders. For the Palestinians to EVER have a viable state of their own, open borders with both Jordan and Egypt will be necessary.

7) It is within Israel's right of being a sovereign state to control access both to and from The State of Israel. They need not permit access to anyone they do not want to have in their country. This is a right enjoyed by all sovereign states.

8) To my knowledge-- there is no curfew in any part of the Palestinian Territories-- this just another of your feeble excuses to support keeping the Palestinians on the welfare dole of perpetuity !!!

Also——————– I’m STILL waiting for you to disclose exactly where and how I misquoted you !!!!!

What’s wrong—– STILL can’t find anything ????

Or have you simply misspoken again ???

John A June 22nd, 2009 1503 GMT

http://mazinx.wordpress.com/2008/05/page/2/

They’re called “Refuseniks” but not for refusing to serve. They’ve done it proudly and courageously, and here’s how “Courage to Refuse” members state their position:
*****************************************************************

John A,

If your going to cut n paste things-– make sure they are current an applicable to the subject at hand. Posting 10,000 words of ranting gibberish impresses no one and fails to do anything except draw attention to your blind hatred narrow minded views.

( May 14 WAS Israels' 61st anniversary--not 60th) I'm not sure how much of the rest of the content is amiss and inaccurate as I didn't bother to read much of it.

Filipe June 22nd, 2009 1919 GMT
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
John A June 22nd, 2009 1451 GMT

Filipe you write idiotic statements as usual. No country could provide work for its citizens if its boarders were sealed and its people live under military occupation and curfew.
*************************************************************************

John A .

Do you work in the same country you live in ??? NO ???

Does your job depend on you commuting to a country that your passport or ID card will not allow you to go?? NO ???

This must be just one more excuse you've created to justify why the Palestinians need to stay on the Welfare Dole of Perpetuity.

Also-– you seem to be ignoring my question !!!!!!!!!! Do you not have an answer you're willing to share with those on the blog?????

Do you believe that Israel has the right to exist ???

A simple yes or no will suffice !!!

Feel free to ignore the question if it makes you uncomfortable to provide the true answer !!!!

Filipe writes
To my knowledge—- there is no curfew in any part of the Palestinian Territories
--------------------------------

Filipe try more reading and less writing or more thinking and less talking.

The following text have been composed by former soldiers in the Israeli army who have realized Israels politics is immoral and inhumane.

http://mazinx.wordpress.com/2008/05/page/2/

They’re called “Refuseniks” but not for refusing to serve. They’ve done it proudly and courageously, and here’s how “Courage to Refuse” members state their position:

“We, reserve officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)….have always served in the front lines….were first to carry out any mission, light or heavy, (and we did it) to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.

We….served….long weeks every year, in spite of dear cost to our personal lives, have been on reserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country (but were only given to perpetuate) our control over the Palestinian people. We(’ve)….seen the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.

….the commands issued to us in the Territories (have) destroy(ed) all the values (we learned) growing up in this country.

….the (way) the Occupation (undermines the) IDF’s human character and (exposes) the corruption of the entire Israeli society.

We….know that the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated in the end.

We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements.

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

We hereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Forces in any mission that serves Israel’s defense.

The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall take no part in them.”

These are courageous men and some women, hundreds of them. Their “Courage to Refuse – Combatant’s Letter” web site lists 550 by name. There are hundreds more as well. Their numbers are growing, and their resistance is firm. There are five separate refusenik groups. They’re listed below. Courage to Refuse is one of them.

Yesh Gvul (There is A Limit)

Yesh Gvul combats the “misuse of the IDF for unworthy ends” that includes the occupation of Palestine. It was established during Israel’s 1982 Lebanon invasion that they denounced as a “naked (act of) aggression in which they wanted no part.” It supports imprisoned members and their families, holds vigils where they’re held, informs the public of their status, and embraces a peace agenda. They state that “as responsible citizens (they) declare that (they) will take no part in the continued oppression of the Palestinian people (nor will they) participate in policing actions or in guarding the settlements.”

They further say that as “an Israeli peace group” they oppose the occupation and support soldiers who refuse to be part of it. They call the Israeli army’s role “brutal” and “subjugating.” It places servicemen “in a grave and moral and political dilemma (because it requires them) to enforce policies they deem illegal, immoral and ultimately harmful to Israeli interests.” Many of their members are combat officers, they’ve served with distinction, and they rank from sergeant to major. They hold different political views, support peace but no one specific program, and they back a “two-state” solution they believe is “key to (peacefully resolving) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

The Shministim

The Shministim is made up of high school seniors approaching age 18 after which Jewish and Druze men and women face mandatory military service, except for exemptions on religious, health and other accepted grounds. The organization no longer maintains a web site.

Courage to Refuse (The Combatants Letter)

The organization was founded in 2002 by a group of 50 combat officers and soldiers after its members realized that their missions had nothing to do with defending Israel. They’re to colonize Palestine and oppress its people. They further believe that many commands issued them harm Israel’s strategic interests and they refuse to obey them.

They’ve served their country and support it, but they determined that “fighting in Gaza and….West Bank (was counterproductive): by obeying orders they would not be protecting the lives of their dear ones.” They believe “the Occupation poses a threat to the security of Israel.” They stated their beliefs openly in “The Combatant’s Letter.” Hundreds of IDF members signed it and joined “Courage to Refuse.” New members join weekly, and Yaffee Center for Strategic Studies surveys show that over 25% of Israelis sympathize with their struggle.

They continue to perform reserve duty, but won’t serve in the Occupied Territories. Over 280 of them have been court-martialed and jailed for up to 35 days. Yet they’ve “won a warm place for the movement in the hearts of many Israelis” who support their self-sacrifice and willingness to be imprisoned for their beliefs.

Hundreds of Israeli professors signed petitions for them. Sami Michael is acting chairman of the Israeli Association for Human Rights. He said that refusing the occupation is not just a moral act, it’s the purest form of patriotism in Israel today. Their reasons for not serving are stated above.

The Pilots Group

The Pilots Group maintains a web site in Hebrew only, so it can’t be monitored by non-Hebrew readers. In September 2003, 27 of their members (including reserve Brigadier General Yiftah Spector) published their statement for the first time. It declared they would no longer fly missions against West Bank and Gaza civilians, that doing so is illegal and immoral, and they denounced targeted assassinations.

On Israeli television, one pilot said: “We veteran pilots and active pilots alike….are opposed to carrying out illegal and immoral attacks, of the type carried out by Israel in the Territories. We….love the State of Israel (but) refuse to take part in air force attacks in civilian populations centers. We refuse to continue harming innocent civilians.”

They knew they could be punished for their stance and for their “illegitimate” and “forbidden” statement, according to Israel’s chief of army staff, Moshe Ya’alon. Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief Dan Halutz downplayed their action, said announcing it on national television was “inappropriate,” and called it “the mother of all dangers to our people.”

Because of it, they were expelled from the IAF, denounced as traitors, and went public again two months later to explain further. One captain’s comment was typical: “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 protect unnecessary loss of life. Somewhere in the last few years it became harder and harder to believe that is the case.”

A single incident changed them. It was the bombing of Hamas military leader Salah Shehade’s home that killed him and 14 members of his family, nine of whom were children. One pilot called it “murder,” another “state terrorism,” still another “vengeance,” and all agreed they could no longer perform these missions.

Lt. Colonel Avner Raanan was one of them. He’s one of Israel’s most respected and decorated pilots. He signed the letter and stated: “If you look at the past three years, you see that, if we had a suicide bombing, the Israeli air force made a big operation in which civilians were killed, and that looks to innocent eyes like revenge. You hear it in the streets of Israel; people want revenge. But we should not behave like that. We are not a mafia.”

Referring to an attack on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, another pilot added: “Is it legitimate to take F-15s and helicopters designed to destroy enemy tanks, and use them against cars and houses in one of the most heavily populated places in the world….we have become blinded by the blood on our own faces. We cannot see that on the other side….is a whole nation of innocent people.”

The pilots’ action and statements shook Israeli society. Their superiors condemned them, but over 500 supportive letters disagreed, including one from a holocaust survivor and others from fellow pilots. In addition, former left wing cabinet ministers also praised their courage.

Sayeret Matkal

This is an elite IDF commando unit that maintains no web site. In December 2003, 13 of its reservists and officers (including one major) wrote the Prime Minister declaring their refusal to serve henceforth in the Territories. Their statement read: “We say to you today, we will no longer give our hands to the oppressive reign in the territories and the denial of human rights to millions of Palestinians, and we will no longer serve as a defensive shield for the settlement enterprise.”

Members of this commando group carried out the 1976 Entebbe, Uganda airport raid that rescued 100 hostages on an Air France hijacked plane. They rarely serve in the Territories, but their announcement was significant because of the group’s standing in Israeli society. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak once commanded them and led a raid against a 1972 hijacked Sabena plane at Tel Aviv airport. He asked the signers to reconsider, called their letter a grave mistake, and said “it’s not too late to correct it….” Other officials also condemned them, but Meretz Knesset Member (MK) Roman Bronfman believed they acted bravely, and Labor MK Ophir Pines said it requires that serious discussion be held.

In May 2004, Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy was supportive. He urged more soldiers to speak out, discuss their actions in the Territories, and ask why they serve there “to protect groups of delusional settlers (and) what their systematic abuse of the Palestinians has to do with security….how many innocent people (have) they killed and (keep on) killing.”

He noted that Israelis don’t know what goes on in the Territories, so it’s up to soldiers to “lift this screen….The Palestinians aren’t believed, the Israeli press (keeps) its distance from the Territories and the international press is perceived as hostile. Only the soldiers can break the vicious circle….No one (can) deny their accounts….it’s time (for them) to stand up and speak out….how they killed and jailed and humiliated for no good reason.”

Excerpts From Soldiers Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence (Shovrim Shtika) dedicates itself to two purposes:

– exposing IDF oppression in occupied Palestine; and

– providing discharged Israeli soldiers and reservists a platform to explain what they were ordered to do on the ground.

In their own words, hundreds of their testimonies tell shocking stories – the ordeal they faced, its moral price, and the corrupting erosion it had on their values. They focus on orders gotten, rules of engagement and operational procedures that include frequent illegal commands:

– firing at civilians posing no risk;

– revenge operations for collective punishment; and

– intentionally attacking Palestinian rescue forces, including ambulances.

Their accounts are disturbing. They portray institutionalized moral corruption, universal contempt for Arabs, and how it affects everyone from new recruits to commanders. Rules of engagement are unrestrained, government oversight is non-existent, so reporting abuse is urgent. They want it stopped and demand an independent body to do it.

It goes on everywhere in occupied Palestine with Hebron a prominent example because it’s the only Palestinian city with an Israeli settlement in its center. Sixty-four soldiers from the Nachal brigade spoke out, they were there during the Second Intifada, and their testimonies recount horrors on the ground they were ordered to commit.

They call their experiences “shocking” with photos for confirming evidence. Their collective statement says: “In coping daily with the madness of Hebron, we couldn’t remain the same people beneath our uniforms. We saw our buddies and ourselves slowly changing….

We were exposed to the ugly face of terror….an innocent family killed while at the Sabbath table. Countless engagements, bereaved families, innocent civilians injured, chase and arrests.

The settlers….rioted, occupied houses, and confronted the police and army….The constant curfew made Hebron into a ghost town….The school in Jebl Ju’ar has been an army post….We asked ourselves why an army platoon prevents children from going to school. We found no answers.

We decided to speak out….to tell….Hebron isn’t in outer space….But it’s light years away from Tel Aviv….Come, see, hear and understand what’s happening there.”

Here are more paraphrased comments:

We man checkpoints, stop people from going somewhere, humiliate them, but “I’m doing my duty (and) inflicting pain on people, harming them unnecessarily.” It affects your mind, your sleep the longer you serve there. Jews do as they please. There are no laws. Anything goes, breaking into shops, occupying Palestinian homes. Your judgment gets impaired when everyday your enemy is an Arab. You don’t look at them as people. But they’re not dogs, not animals, not inferior, yet they simply don’t count, and since they’re your enemy you can kill them.

At checkpoints, our job was don’t let them pass. It was absurd, there were old ladies who had to get through to go home. Why was it forbidden to pass? It was collective punishment. “You’re not allowed to pass because you’re not allowed to pass.” Then there are the curfews. “I’m certain that 80% of the time there was a curfew.” We closed all the stores and sent everyone home.

I’m ashamed of myself because I realized I enjoy the feeling of power. I’m the Law. It’s a mighty feeling. It’s because you have a weapon, because you’re a soldier, it’s addictive. You can do whatever you want, unsupervised, enter people’s homes, conduct random searches. Tell them what you want and they’ll do it because they’re afraid. Palestinians feel you don’t let them walk in the streets, work, live or breathe.

I have a machine gun, it’s loaded, the safety catch is off. I can shoot you any time, for any reason, split your head open with the gun butt and my commander will pat me on the back and say good job. It’s crazy, I’m just a kid, but Hebron hardens you. I say to myself I’m doing something I don’t believe in, and I’m putting myself in a position where someone wants to kill me because of it. You see things that couldn’t possibly happen in your own home and shouldn’t happen. But here everything is different.

Any time of day or night, whenever we feel like it, we pick a house, any house, and we go in. We move all the men into one room, the women in another, and place them under guard. We can do whatever we want. There’s no justification for it. It shouldn’t be happening.

Then there are the settlers. They run wild. There’s no law. They do what they please. So they burn another shop, trash another home, occupy another one, no big deal, happens all the time. We just watch and do nothing.

If someone is sick and needs to go to the hospital, I ask my commander if I can let her pass. No way if there’s a curfew. She’s not going anywhere no matter how sick. All these stories are my daily routine for over six months. When it ended, I questioned whether I protected myself or my country. I began watching out for myself because I didn’t believe in the ideology.

Serving in Hebron made me feel there’s something different about being a Jew. I can’t explain it. I’m supposed to guard the settlers who don’t have the kind of morality I was raised to believe. I reached a point where I didn’t know who the enemy was anymore, Jews or Arabs. Maybe I need to protect the Arabs, not the Jews who attack them. I feel emotionally injured. If someone’s caught breaking curfew, we can let them have it aggressively. Hold them, make them wait eight hours with no water, sit and wait. “Why? Because he walked outside. Because he dared go buy something. Because he dared send his kid to school.” We can even shoot them.

Selected Israeli Organizations Supporting Refuseniks

Several important ones are covered below:

New Profile

New Profile is a pluralistic feminist organization that includes men and women. It’s goal is to transform Israel from a militaristic to a civil society. It opposes occupation and supports all conscientious objectors – from pacifists opposed to war to refuseniks who won’t serve in occupied Palestine. Its charter states that “Israel is capable of a determined peace politics. It need not be a militarized society.” It understands that “the words ‘national security’ have often masked calculated decisions to choose military action for the achievement of political goals.”

It no longer is “willing to take part in such choices. We are no longer willing to go on being mobilized, raising our children for mobilization….while those in charge of the country go on deploying the army easily, rather than building other solutions.”

It’s “hard to express this type opinion in Israel today….An attitude that dares question the fundamental principle of willing enlistment is almost incomprehensible in a soldiers’ state.” We reject perpetuating war. We prioritize and protect life.

“We oppose the use of the army, police, (and) security forces in the ongoing oppression and discrimination of the Palestinian citizens of Israel (and in the Occupied Territories),” in demolishing their homes, “denying them building and development rights, (and) using violence” against them. Thousands of young Israelis are opting out and refuse to serve. They reject military service in Israel today. The IDF states that only one-third of reserve forces in fact serve actively.

Israeli law doesn’t recognize conscientious objection. “We regard Israeli conscription law as discriminatory and non-democratic, and call for” recognizing every person’s right to act according to his or her conscience. They should have the right to fulfill their social commitment by alternative civic or community means, including through non-governmental, voluntary organizations.

The Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN)

It was founded in 2002 to support Israel’s growing “Refuser Movement.” RSN supports Courage to Refuse, Combatants for Peace, Yesh G’vul, the Shiministim, New Profile and other Israeli organizations advocating peaceful conflict resolution in Occupied Palestine.

Its original 2002 “Call to Action” declaration said: “The time has come” to act against growing violence. Increasing numbers of Israeli soldiers reject serving in Occupied Palestine. They’ve seen what goes on, it has nothing to do with security, and its sole purpose is “perpetuating our control over the Palestinian people.” They now declare they no longer will help “dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.”

The time has come “to listen to our consciences,” summon our courage, and publicly support them. Israel can never have peace and security unless it withdraws from Occupied Palestine. This is a “crucial moment, a potential turning point.” Their campaign was initiated from Chicago, but it resonates across the country as a “portal” in support of the Refuser Movement in Israel.

Combatants for Peace

Former Palestinian and Israeli cycle of violence participants are the founders – IDF soldiers and Palestinian resistance fighters. They believe their actions were futile, decided another way is crucial, and now work together for peace. Henceforth, they “refuse to take part (in further) bloodletting.” They will only act non-violently through dialogue and reconciliation and work together cooperatively to understand each other’s aspirations.

Their goal – end the occupation, halt the settlement project, and establish a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem alongside the State of Israel. They want to raise consciousness, educate both sides, and create political pressure to establish a constructive dialogue for resolution.

They hold meetings, conduct educational lectures and public forums, undertake joint projects, have bi-national media teams to get out their message, and participate in non-violent demonstrations against the occupation. It’s motto reads: “Only by joining forces, will we be able to end the cycle of violence.”

Israeli Laws Affecting Conscientious Objection and Refuseniks

Conscription existed since Israel became a state in 1948. Today, its legal basis comes under the country’s 1986 National Defence Service Law. It requires all Israeli citizens and permanent residents (men and women) to serve. However, the Ministry of Defence has discretion under Article 36 to exempt all non-Jews, except the Druze. Israeli Arabs may volunteer, but they’re not encouraged, and very few do it. Reserve service is also required up to age 51 for men and 24 for women.

Exemptions are possible for reasons of:

– educational requirements,

– religion (orthodox Jews are exempted),

– health,

– family considerations,

– married or pregnant women or those with children,

– persons convicted of crimes,

– the undereducated (until they complete at least eight years of school), and

– other considerations at the Ministry of Defence’s discretion.

Israeli law rejects conscientious objection rights for men and only partly accepts them for women on the basis of religion. Those who cite it and refuse to serve are in trouble. They’re subjected to unfair procedures and hearings that may, and most often do, recommend prosecution and imprisonment.

Israel signed the United Nations Charter and must, under its provisions, comply with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its Article 18 guarantees everyone “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” So does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under Article 18 where it repeats that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion…” By denying refuseniks this right, Israel violates international law and a fundamental human right afforded everyone under it.

No official figures exist, but refusenik numbers have grown since the Second Intifada began in September 2000. Most opt out in the Territories, and estimates of their numbers range from 1100 well-documented cases to as many as double that number. Here’s what they face.

Article 35 (a) (2) of the National Defence Service Law states that:

– failure to fulfill a duty under the law is punishable by up to two years imprisonment;

– evading military service is subject to five years in prison;

– refusing to perform reserve duties calls for up to a 56 day sentence that’s renewable if the objector refuses repeatedly;

– helping someone avoid military service is punishable by a fine and up to two years in prison;

– disobeying call-up orders means facing up to five years imprisonment, although most often sentences rarely exceed 12 months.

Refuseniks are generally sentenced on one of the following charges:

– refusing to obey an order;

– absence without leave;

– desertion; or

– refusing to be mobilized.

Where exemption applications are denied, individuals are ordered to perform military or reserve duty. Continued refusal can mean discipline or court-martial, and repeat offenders face re-imprisonment in violation of Article 14, paragraph 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It states: “No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an offence for which he (or she) has already been finally convicted or acquitted in accordance with the law and penal procedure of each country.”

Summary Comments

Peace activists, people of conscience and most notably Israeli refuseniks are in the front lines of a valiant struggle:

– to free Palestinians from 41 illegal occupation years,

– end decades of abuse,

– achieve a just and lasting peace, and

– protect everyone’s fundamental human rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for “all members of the human family….”

Israel must no longer be exempted from international law, from being allowed to flaunt it brazenly, from ignoring over five dozen UN Resolutions going back decades. Peace activists and refuseniks condemn the Jewish state for its actions, deplore it for committing them, and demand, call on and insist Israeli governments end them. Its lawlessness must end, and collective resistance can achieve it. It’s no longer an option. It’s an obligation to assure that everyone has equal dignity and the right to life, liberty, security and freedom under universal international law.

John A

Like I said

1) The Gazans need to work in Gaza—- or leave via Egypt to find gainful employment—–

2) Those who reside in the West Bank need to work in the West Bank or leave via Jordan to find employment—–

3) The Israelis don’t want them in Israel as they are a danger to the general population and a hazard to the personal welfare of the Israelis.

4) It is not a God given “right” for the Palestinians to seek work in Israel.

5) Since when is it a necessity or typical for people who live in one country to seek work in another???? In the EU it’s fairly common—-but that’s the exception to the rule.

6) You should address your rants of racial hatred and fascism to Egypt and Jordan along with your concerns for closed borders. For the Palestinians to EVER have a viable state of their own, open borders with both Jordan and Egypt will be necessary.

7) It is within Israel’s right of being a sovereign state to control access both to and from The State of Israel. They need not permit access to anyone they do not want to have in their country. This is a right enjoyed by all sovereign states.

8) To my knowledge—- there is no curfew in any part of the Palestinian Territories—- this just another of your feeble excuses to support keeping the Palestinians on the welfare dole of perpetuity !!!

Also——————– I’m STILL waiting for you to disclose exactly where and how I misquoted you !!!!!

What’s wrong—– STILL can’t find anything ????

Or have you simply misspoken again ???

Don't you just hate it when you always draw the short straw ???

Still no answers to any of my questions ????

John A

Do you believe that The Sate of Israel has the right to exist??

Filipe Israel has the right to exist & to live within the area designated in 1948. Israel has always had overwhelming military superiority in the region, thanks to America. Hence Israels existence has never truly been under threat.

Why do you think humane rights for Palestinians is a threat to Israels existence?

As for your misquotes, all who can read no who you are and we don't need to distract from the issues with your childishness.

Have you read one word of my last blog?Or do you try to dilute relevant blogs with your nonsense.

Here it is again. Can you answer it or will you just keep pretending these things are not happening?

The following text have been composed by former soldiers in the Israeli army who have realized Israels politics is immoral and inhumane.

http://mazinx.wordpress.com/2008/05/page/2/

They’re called “Refuseniks” but not for refusing to serve. They’ve done it proudly and courageously, and here’s how “Courage to Refuse” members state their position:

“We, reserve officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)….have always served in the front lines….were first to carry out any mission, light or heavy, (and we did it) to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.

We….served….long weeks every year, in spite of dear cost to our personal lives, have been on reserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country (but were only given to perpetuate) our control over the Palestinian people. We(’ve)….seen the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.

….the commands issued to us in the Territories (have) destroy(ed) all the values (we learned) growing up in this country.

….the (way) the Occupation (undermines the) IDF’s human character and (exposes) the corruption of the entire Israeli society.

We….know that the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated in the end.

We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements.

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

We hereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Forces in any mission that serves Israel’s defense.

The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall take no part in them.”

These are courageous men and some women, hundreds of them. Their “Courage to Refuse – Combatant’s Letter” web site lists 550 by name. There are hundreds more as well. Their numbers are growing, and their resistance is firm. There are five separate refusenik groups. They’re listed below. Courage to Refuse is one of them.

Yesh Gvul (There is A Limit)

Yesh Gvul combats the “misuse of the IDF for unworthy ends” that includes the occupation of Palestine. It was established during Israel’s 1982 Lebanon invasion that they denounced as a “naked (act of) aggression in which they wanted no part.” It supports imprisoned members and their families, holds vigils where they’re held, informs the public of their status, and embraces a peace agenda. They state that “as responsible citizens (they) declare that (they) will take no part in the continued oppression of the Palestinian people (nor will they) participate in policing actions or in guarding the settlements.”

They further say that as “an Israeli peace group” they oppose the occupation and support soldiers who refuse to be part of it. They call the Israeli army’s role “brutal” and “subjugating.” It places servicemen “in a grave and moral and political dilemma (because it requires them) to enforce policies they deem illegal, immoral and ultimately harmful to Israeli interests.” Many of their members are combat officers, they’ve served with distinction, and they rank from sergeant to major. They hold different political views, support peace but no one specific program, and they back a “two-state” solution they believe is “key to (peacefully resolving) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

The Shministim

The Shministim is made up of high school seniors approaching age 18 after which Jewish and Druze men and women face mandatory military service, except for exemptions on religious, health and other accepted grounds. The organization no longer maintains a web site.

Courage to Refuse (The Combatants Letter)

The organization was founded in 2002 by a group of 50 combat officers and soldiers after its members realized that their missions had nothing to do with defending Israel. They’re to colonize Palestine and oppress its people. They further believe that many commands issued them harm Israel’s strategic interests and they refuse to obey them.

They’ve served their country and support it, but they determined that “fighting in Gaza and….West Bank (was counterproductive): by obeying orders they would not be protecting the lives of their dear ones.” They believe “the Occupation poses a threat to the security of Israel.” They stated their beliefs openly in “The Combatant’s Letter.” Hundreds of IDF members signed it and joined “Courage to Refuse.” New members join weekly, and Yaffee Center for Strategic Studies surveys show that over 25% of Israelis sympathize with their struggle.

They continue to perform reserve duty, but won’t serve in the Occupied Territories. Over 280 of them have been court-martialed and jailed for up to 35 days. Yet they’ve “won a warm place for the movement in the hearts of many Israelis” who support their self-sacrifice and willingness to be imprisoned for their beliefs.

Hundreds of Israeli professors signed petitions for them. Sami Michael is acting chairman of the Israeli Association for Human Rights. He said that refusing the occupation is not just a moral act, it’s the purest form of patriotism in Israel today. Their reasons for not serving are stated above.

The Pilots Group

The Pilots Group maintains a web site in Hebrew only, so it can’t be monitored by non-Hebrew readers. In September 2003, 27 of their members (including reserve Brigadier General Yiftah Spector) published their statement for the first time. It declared they would no longer fly missions against West Bank and Gaza civilians, that doing so is illegal and immoral, and they denounced targeted assassinations.

On Israeli television, one pilot said: “We veteran pilots and active pilots alike….are opposed to carrying out illegal and immoral attacks, of the type carried out by Israel in the Territories. We….love the State of Israel (but) refuse to take part in air force attacks in civilian populations centers. We refuse to continue harming innocent civilians.”

They knew they could be punished for their stance and for their “illegitimate” and “forbidden” statement, according to Israel’s chief of army staff, Moshe Ya’alon. Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief Dan Halutz downplayed their action, said announcing it on national television was “inappropriate,” and called it “the mother of all dangers to our people.”

Because of it, they were expelled from the IAF, denounced as traitors, and went public again two months later to explain further. One captain’s comment was typical: “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 protect unnecessary loss of life. Somewhere in the last few years it became harder and harder to believe that is the case.”

A single incident changed them. It was the bombing of Hamas military leader Salah Shehade’s home that killed him and 14 members of his family, nine of whom were children. One pilot called it “murder,” another “state terrorism,” still another “vengeance,” and all agreed they could no longer perform these missions.

Lt. Colonel Avner Raanan was one of them. He’s one of Israel’s most respected and decorated pilots. He signed the letter and stated: “If you look at the past three years, you see that, if we had a suicide bombing, the Israeli air force made a big operation in which civilians were killed, and that looks to innocent eyes like revenge. You hear it in the streets of Israel; people want revenge. But we should not behave like that. We are not a mafia.”

Referring to an attack on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, another pilot added: “Is it legitimate to take F-15s and helicopters designed to destroy enemy tanks, and use them against cars and houses in one of the most heavily populated places in the world….we have become blinded by the blood on our own faces. We cannot see that on the other side….is a whole nation of innocent people.”

The pilots’ action and statements shook Israeli society. Their superiors condemned them, but over 500 supportive letters disagreed, including one from a holocaust survivor and others from fellow pilots. In addition, former left wing cabinet ministers also praised their courage.

Sayeret Matkal

This is an elite IDF commando unit that maintains no web site. In December 2003, 13 of its reservists and officers (including one major) wrote the Prime Minister declaring their refusal to serve henceforth in the Territories. Their statement read: “We say to you today, we will no longer give our hands to the oppressive reign in the territories and the denial of human rights to millions of Palestinians, and we will no longer serve as a defensive shield for the settlement enterprise.”

Members of this commando group carried out the 1976 Entebbe, Uganda airport raid that rescued 100 hostages on an Air France hijacked plane. They rarely serve in the Territories, but their announcement was significant because of the group’s standing in Israeli society. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak once commanded them and led a raid against a 1972 hijacked Sabena plane at Tel Aviv airport. He asked the signers to reconsider, called their letter a grave mistake, and said “it’s not too late to correct it….” Other officials also condemned them, but Meretz Knesset Member (MK) Roman Bronfman believed they acted bravely, and Labor MK Ophir Pines said it requires that serious discussion be held.

In May 2004, Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy was supportive. He urged more soldiers to speak out, discuss their actions in the Territories, and ask why they serve there “to protect groups of delusional settlers (and) what their systematic abuse of the Palestinians has to do with security….how many innocent people (have) they killed and (keep on) killing.”

He noted that Israelis don’t know what goes on in the Territories, so it’s up to soldiers to “lift this screen….The Palestinians aren’t believed, the Israeli press (keeps) its distance from the Territories and the international press is perceived as hostile. Only the soldiers can break the vicious circle….No one (can) deny their accounts….it’s time (for them) to stand up and speak out….how they killed and jailed and humiliated for no good reason.”

Excerpts From Soldiers Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence (Shovrim Shtika) dedicates itself to two purposes:

– exposing IDF oppression in occupied Palestine; and

– providing discharged Israeli soldiers and reservists a platform to explain what they were ordered to do on the ground.

In their own words, hundreds of their testimonies tell shocking stories – the ordeal they faced, its moral price, and the corrupting erosion it had on their values. They focus on orders gotten, rules of engagement and operational procedures that include frequent illegal commands:

– firing at civilians posing no risk;

– revenge operations for collective punishment; and

– intentionally attacking Palestinian rescue forces, including ambulances.

Their accounts are disturbing. They portray institutionalized moral corruption, universal contempt for Arabs, and how it affects everyone from new recruits to commanders. Rules of engagement are unrestrained, government oversight is non-existent, so reporting abuse is urgent. They want it stopped and demand an independent body to do it.

It goes on everywhere in occupied Palestine with Hebron a prominent example because it’s the only Palestinian city with an Israeli settlement in its center. Sixty-four soldiers from the Nachal brigade spoke out, they were there during the Second Intifada, and their testimonies recount horrors on the ground they were ordered to commit.

They call their experiences “shocking” with photos for confirming evidence. Their collective statement says: “In coping daily with the madness of Hebron, we couldn’t remain the same people beneath our uniforms. We saw our buddies and ourselves slowly changing….

We were exposed to the ugly face of terror….an innocent family killed while at the Sabbath table. Countless engagements, bereaved families, innocent civilians injured, chase and arrests.

The settlers….rioted, occupied houses, and confronted the police and army….The constant curfew made Hebron into a ghost town….The school in Jebl Ju’ar has been an army post….We asked ourselves why an army platoon prevents children from going to school. We found no answers.

We decided to speak out….to tell….Hebron isn’t in outer space….But it’s light years away from Tel Aviv….Come, see, hear and understand what’s happening there.”

Here are more paraphrased comments:

We man checkpoints, stop people from going somewhere, humiliate them, but “I’m doing my duty (and) inflicting pain on people, harming them unnecessarily.” It affects your mind, your sleep the longer you serve there. Jews do as they please. There are no laws. Anything goes, breaking into shops, occupying Palestinian homes. Your judgment gets impaired when everyday your enemy is an Arab. You don’t look at them as people. But they’re not dogs, not animals, not inferior, yet they simply don’t count, and since they’re your enemy you can kill them.

At checkpoints, our job was don’t let them pass. It was absurd, there were old ladies who had to get through to go home. Why was it forbidden to pass? It was collective punishment. “You’re not allowed to pass because you’re not allowed to pass.” Then there are the curfews. “I’m certain that 80% of the time there was a curfew.” We closed all the stores and sent everyone home.

I’m ashamed of myself because I realized I enjoy the feeling of power. I’m the Law. It’s a mighty feeling. It’s because you have a weapon, because you’re a soldier, it’s addictive. You can do whatever you want, unsupervised, enter people’s homes, conduct random searches. Tell them what you want and they’ll do it because they’re afraid. Palestinians feel you don’t let them walk in the streets, work, live or breathe.

I have a machine gun, it’s loaded, the safety catch is off. I can shoot you any time, for any reason, split your head open with the gun butt and my commander will pat me on the back and say good job. It’s crazy, I’m just a kid, but Hebron hardens you. I say to myself I’m doing something I don’t believe in, and I’m putting myself in a position where someone wants to kill me because of it. You see things that couldn’t possibly happen in your own home and shouldn’t happen. But here everything is different.

Any time of day or night, whenever we feel like it, we pick a house, any house, and we go in. We move all the men into one room, the women in another, and place them under guard. We can do whatever we want. There’s no justification for it. It shouldn’t be happening.

Then there are the settlers. They run wild. There’s no law. They do what they please. So they burn another shop, trash another home, occupy another one, no big deal, happens all the time. We just watch and do nothing.

If someone is sick and needs to go to the hospital, I ask my commander if I can let her pass. No way if there’s a curfew. She’s not going anywhere no matter how sick. All these stories are my daily routine for over six months. When it ended, I questioned whether I protected myself or my country. I began watching out for myself because I didn’t believe in the ideology.

Serving in Hebron made me feel there’s something different about being a Jew. I can’t explain it. I’m supposed to guard the settlers who don’t have the kind of morality I was raised to believe. I reached a point where I didn’t know who the enemy was anymore, Jews or Arabs. Maybe I need to protect the Arabs, not the Jews who attack them. I feel emotionally injured. If someone’s caught breaking curfew, we can let them have it aggressively. Hold them, make them wait eight hours with no water, sit and wait. “Why? Because he walked outside. Because he dared go buy something. Because he dared send his kid to school.” We can even shoot them.

Selected Israeli Organizations Supporting Refuseniks

Several important ones are covered below:

New Profile

New Profile is a pluralistic feminist organization that includes men and women. It’s goal is to transform Israel from a militaristic to a civil society. It opposes occupation and supports all conscientious objectors – from pacifists opposed to war to refuseniks who won’t serve in occupied Palestine. Its charter states that “Israel is capable of a determined peace politics. It need not be a militarized society.” It understands that “the words ‘national security’ have often masked calculated decisions to choose military action for the achievement of political goals.”

It no longer is “willing to take part in such choices. We are no longer willing to go on being mobilized, raising our children for mobilization….while those in charge of the country go on deploying the army easily, rather than building other solutions.”

It’s “hard to express this type opinion in Israel today….An attitude that dares question the fundamental principle of willing enlistment is almost incomprehensible in a soldiers’ state.” We reject perpetuating war. We prioritize and protect life.

“We oppose the use of the army, police, (and) security forces in the ongoing oppression and discrimination of the Palestinian citizens of Israel (and in the Occupied Territories),” in demolishing their homes, “denying them building and development rights, (and) using violence” against them. Thousands of young Israelis are opting out and refuse to serve. They reject military service in Israel today. The IDF states that only one-third of reserve forces in fact serve actively.

Israeli law doesn’t recognize conscientious objection. “We regard Israeli conscription law as discriminatory and non-democratic, and call for” recognizing every person’s right to act according to his or her conscience. They should have the right to fulfill their social commitment by alternative civic or community means, including through non-governmental, voluntary organizations.

The Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN)

It was founded in 2002 to support Israel’s growing “Refuser Movement.” RSN supports Courage to Refuse, Combatants for Peace, Yesh G’vul, the Shiministim, New Profile and other Israeli organizations advocating peaceful conflict resolution in Occupied Palestine.

Its original 2002 “Call to Action” declaration said: “The time has come” to act against growing violence. Increasing numbers of Israeli soldiers reject serving in Occupied Palestine. They’ve seen what goes on, it has nothing to do with security, and its sole purpose is “perpetuating our control over the Palestinian people.” They now declare they no longer will help “dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.”

The time has come “to listen to our consciences,” summon our courage, and publicly support them. Israel can never have peace and security unless it withdraws from Occupied Palestine. This is a “crucial moment, a potential turning point.” Their campaign was initiated from Chicago, but it resonates across the country as a “portal” in support of the Refuser Movement in Israel.

Combatants for Peace

Former Palestinian and Israeli cycle of violence participants are the founders – IDF soldiers and Palestinian resistance fighters. They believe their actions were futile, decided another way is crucial, and now work together for peace. Henceforth, they “refuse to take part (in further) bloodletting.” They will only act non-violently through dialogue and reconciliation and work together cooperatively to understand each other’s aspirations.

Their goal – end the occupation, halt the settlement project, and establish a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem alongside the State of Israel. They want to raise consciousness, educate both sides, and create political pressure to establish a constructive dialogue for resolution.

They hold meetings, conduct educational lectures and public forums, undertake joint projects, have bi-national media teams to get out their message, and participate in non-violent demonstrations against the occupation. It’s motto reads: “Only by joining forces, will we be able to end the cycle of violence.”

Israeli Laws Affecting Conscientious Objection and Refuseniks

Conscription existed since Israel became a state in 1948. Today, its legal basis comes under the country’s 1986 National Defence Service Law. It requires all Israeli citizens and permanent residents (men and women) to serve. However, the Ministry of Defence has discretion under Article 36 to exempt all non-Jews, except the Druze. Israeli Arabs may volunteer, but they’re not encouraged, and very few do it. Reserve service is also required up to age 51 for men and 24 for women.

Exemptions are possible for reasons of:

– educational requirements,

– religion (orthodox Jews are exempted),

– health,

– family considerations,

– married or pregnant women or those with children,

– persons convicted of crimes,

– the undereducated (until they complete at least eight years of school), and

– other considerations at the Ministry of Defence’s discretion.

Israeli law rejects conscientious objection rights for men and only partly accepts them for women on the basis of religion. Those who cite it and refuse to serve are in trouble. They’re subjected to unfair procedures and hearings that may, and most often do, recommend prosecution and imprisonment.

Israel signed the United Nations Charter and must, under its provisions, comply with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its Article 18 guarantees everyone “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” So does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under Article 18 where it repeats that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion…” By denying refuseniks this right, Israel violates international law and a fundamental human right afforded everyone under it.

No official figures exist, but refusenik numbers have grown since the Second Intifada began in September 2000. Most opt out in the Territories, and estimates of their numbers range from 1100 well-documented cases to as many as double that number. Here’s what they face.

Article 35 (a) (2) of the National Defence Service Law states that:

– failure to fulfill a duty under the law is punishable by up to two years imprisonment;

– evading military service is subject to five years in prison;

– refusing to perform reserve duties calls for up to a 56 day sentence that’s renewable if the objector refuses repeatedly;

– helping someone avoid military service is punishable by a fine and up to two years in prison;

– disobeying call-up orders means facing up to five years imprisonment, although most often sentences rarely exceed 12 months.

Refuseniks are generally sentenced on one of the following charges:

– refusing to obey an order;

– absence without leave;

– desertion; or

– refusing to be mobilized.

Where exemption applications are denied, individuals are ordered to perform military or reserve duty. Continued refusal can mean discipline or court-martial, and repeat offenders face re-imprisonment in violation of Article 14, paragraph 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It states: “No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an offence for which he (or she) has already been finally convicted or acquitted in accordance with the law and penal procedure of each country.”

Summary Comments

Peace activists, people of conscience and most notably Israeli refuseniks are in the front lines of a valiant struggle:

– to free Palestinians from 41 illegal occupation years,

– end decades of abuse,

– achieve a just and lasting peace, and

– protect everyone’s fundamental human rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for “all members of the human family….”

Israel must no longer be exempted from international law, from being allowed to flaunt it brazenly, from ignoring over five dozen UN Resolutions going back decades. Peace activists and refuseniks condemn the Jewish state for its actions, deplore it for committing them, and demand, call on and insist Israeli governments end them. Its lawlessness must end, and collective resistance can achieve it. It’s no longer an option. It’s an obligation to assure that everyone has equal dignity and the right to life, liberty, security and freedom under universal international law.

John A,

I'm sure Israel will thank you for your support!!

And no--I've not bothered to read your cut n paste job-– it's about the 3rd or 4th time you've posted the same nonsense-–

It's rrelevant

There are dissidents in all societies- Israel is no exception-I'm sure!

But you're not even on the same page as the rest of the modern world if you think Israel will live within the borders of 1948--- that's ancient history. That went –as some in the US would say--"by way of the Buffalo"! Not even the UN or the PA expects that to happen!

One more thing--- Has someone told you that Israel is exempt from international law ???

I haven't seen that declaration anywhere-- why don't be a good boy and provide a link from the UN or ICC or WCC or any other international legislative body to support that?

I'd like to take your word for it-- but that just doesn't cut it-- !!!!

CNN’s reporting About Israel

While watching CNN’s Iranian coverage Sunday night June 21st, the reporters started talking about how American presidents have in the past needed to confront friendly countries they disagreed with. They immediately brought up Israel in 1982 and stated that Israel slaughtered the Lebanese, and that Reagan had to tell Begin to stop and he did.

Five minutes or less later they brought up Israel again with the same subject of presidential interjections saying that Israel slaughtered the Gazans, and was told to stop by the American president. All this was in reference to Obama’s lack of wanting to interfere with Iran’s political situation right now.

I about fell out of my chair, and me home from the hospital after only six days after having open heart surgery. I could not believe what CNN was telling the world; twice relating how we slaughtered people!

I was in Israel starting in 1980, living in Safed from 1981 to the end of 1985, and remember the Lebanon War very well. Safed is in the Northern Galilee and was very close to the Lebanon border. In fact, my favorite department store was in Kiriat Shimona, which was north of us and drove to it many times. I had been to the "Good Neighbor Fence."

That’s not what happened at all, of course. We do not go around slaughtering people. What happened was that Lebanon was made up of a minority of Christians and a majority of Muslims. The Christians were led by a Major Hadad who patrolled the border of Israel and Lebanon, and he was considered our very good friend. In fact, Major Hadad would come to our hospital for R & R, and we had an agreement with him to take his family into Israel if G-d forbid anything happened to him.

Evidently the Palestinian Muslims had gone in and slaughtered the Christians at some point. Sharon was Defense Minister who apparently did not know that the Christian Falange had gone into Sabra and Shatilla camps to exact revenge on the detestable Palestinian Arab PLO slaughterers of the Lebanese Christians. Sharon was blamed for the attack and was fired by Menachem Begin. It was an eye for an eye attack of Lebanese against Lebanese.

Eventually Sharon was exonerated. It was the Christian militia who did the killings and not the Israelis. That didn’t seem to enter into CNN’s reporter’s verbage, though. To me it shows that CNN never did report the facts correctly in the first place or their reporters wouldn’t have said such things.

I was there living through the whole experience. When it started I was on a bus going down the hill from Safed headed for Haifa to go to the hospital, and was alone. I had fallen in Haifa while at the school where I lived (Ulpan) and had crushed my right elbow which also had broken the lower bone and was scheduled for a talk with the doctors about when they could take the six screws out of my arm that was holding me together. What I saw was Israeli tanks coming up the hill as we went down. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was told to go back home as fast as possible, that a war was starting and the doctors would be too busy to deal with me. They expected lots of wounded soldiers coming to their hospital. Here I was, a West Coast American, in the midst of my first Israeli war.

After arriving back in Safed, I checked out the bomb shelter in our apartment building. Almost everyone lived in apartments. Homes such as I left in Portland were unheard of. The bomb shelter couldn't take in dogs, and we had brought our German shepherd with us. She was my baby and I was not about to leave her in the apartment alone, so knew I wouldn't be in any bomb shelter. Luckily, we lived on the bottom floor anyway. I thought we might be safe.

My job became baking cakes for the soldiers to eat. All these eighteen year olds had to get to their posts, and did a lot of walking to them. Coffee and cake booths were set up so they could eat something. All these teenagers must have been experiencing sugar-highs. It was good, though. It gave me something to do so that I couldn't shake with fear. I was helping.

Being a teacher, I somehow knew instinctively that the school would need me. I reported to school the next school day (my day off) and found all the men teachers in the army, and that I truly was needed. I taught in the city's junior high, which was across the street from my building. The children were hysterical when they heard a helicopter landing at the hospital up the block from our building. All their family; uncles, brothers, fathers, and many women were in the army, and of course they feared for their lives. They'd huddle in corners while I taught English. One time I remember just stopping my lecture and looking at them. They looked back and said, "Keep talking, Nechama." I did. They needed to hear something familiar. So that's what I did during the Lebanon War. It's something that can't be forgotten.

What my 9th graders did was something amazing. They were needed in the hospital to speak English to the Lebanese or Arabic. They were translators. They told me that they saw things they shouldn't have at their age. They did see the need for English, though, as it was a language they used to speak to the Lebanese. After all, we took in anyone who was injured. Our students studied languages a lot. What was amazing to me was seeing the Arab kids helping the Jewish kids with Arabic studies and vice versa with their Hebrew studies. They all helped each other with English.

I saw units of men with white beards patrolling our streets. They were men left behind to protect us. Women stepped in and took over their husband's jobs. Of course we also had many women teachers in our building, and the Vice Principal was a woman who took over for the principal who had to report into the army. You just didn't see hardly any men on the streets. We were a city of women and children.

As for the Gazan war, CNN never remarked that Israel had been under attack for eight years and it was its citizens who were under missle attack. They never reported that finally Israel said, "Enough", and told the world many times that they wouldn’t take the attacks anymore, no matter what Condoleeza kept saying, and that the Gazans would have to stop or suffer the consequences. The Gazans were warned and did not stop. Israel did everything they could to lessen the harm to the Palestinian citizens, even putting their own lives in harm’s way many times. Nothing was mentioned of this-only that Israel slaughtered them. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

I’m saddened to see such an international TV station play such a heavy role in discriminating against Israel, and that its reporters have done such a sloppy job. They seem to have no idea of the terrible consequences that can happen when so many people hear these horrid lies about Israel. After all, it takes very little for so many people to turn against Jews; even today. As for CNN-I now have more reason to watch Fox News, and have lost a lot of respect for CNN's reporting skills.
Get with it, CNN and try reporting the whole story when it comes to Israel and not pieces that are used against us.

From a retired teacher with dual citizenship; Israel and USA

# posted by Nadene Goldfoot @ 8:52 PM 0 comments

Nadene Goldfoot wrote:
That’s not what happened at all, of course. We do not go around slaughtering people.
-------------------------------------------------
Why do all Israeli supporters claim that everybody else is wrong and their version of the truth is the only acceptable version. Why do Israeli supporters also faill to recognise the words of their own servicement who really know what they have been ordered to do.

Filipe has admitted that he wont read or accept these words. Filipe is so uncomfortable with the truth. So Nadene I will repeat the words of IDF servicemen so you can reveiw them. Sorry Zionists the truth will not go away!

Clearly no Zionist is prepared to accept the truth, but that does not matter anymore as the force of world opinion and fact negates Zionist lies and propoganda.

Two states and human rights for Palistinians. Thats all which is required for peace. The Israeli war machine must stop. The middle east crises is due to Israels which to expand and Americas which to control the oil region. If the Arabs had no oil, they would be able to live in peace. If the Arabs had no oil the American Jewish lobby would not be able to convince Americans to support Israels expansion. The middle east crises is a result of the mutual interests of America oil thirsty business and the American Jewish lobbys which to rally support for a war on Islam, which in turn will fuel Israels expansion.

The game is up. The truth can no longer be ignored. The words of Israels own military personel can no longer be ignored. Here are their words:

http://mazinx.wordpress.com/2008/05/page/2/

They’re called “Refuseniks” but not for refusing to serve. They’ve done it proudly and courageously, and here’s how “Courage to Refuse” members state their position:

“We, reserve officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)….have always served in the front lines….were first to carry out any mission, light or heavy, (and we did it) to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.

We….served….long weeks every year, in spite of dear cost to our personal lives, have been on reserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country (but were only given to perpetuate) our control over the Palestinian people. We(’ve)….seen the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.

….the commands issued to us in the Territories (have) destroy(ed) all the values (we learned) growing up in this country.

….the (way) the Occupation (undermines the) IDF’s human character and (exposes) the corruption of the entire Israeli society.

We….know that the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated in the end.

We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements.

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

We hereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Forces in any mission that serves Israel’s defense.

The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall take no part in them.”

These are courageous men and some women, hundreds of them. Their “Courage to Refuse – Combatant’s Letter” web site lists 550 by name. There are hundreds more as well. Their numbers are growing, and their resistance is firm. There are five separate refusenik groups. They’re listed below. Courage to Refuse is one of them.

Yesh Gvul (There is A Limit)

Yesh Gvul combats the “misuse of the IDF for unworthy ends” that includes the occupation of Palestine. It was established during Israel’s 1982 Lebanon invasion that they denounced as a “naked (act of) aggression in which they wanted no part.” It supports imprisoned members and their families, holds vigils where they’re held, informs the public of their status, and embraces a peace agenda. They state that “as responsible citizens (they) declare that (they) will take no part in the continued oppression of the Palestinian people (nor will they) participate in policing actions or in guarding the settlements.”

They further say that as “an Israeli peace group” they oppose the occupation and support soldiers who refuse to be part of it. They call the Israeli army’s role “brutal” and “subjugating.” It places servicemen “in a grave and moral and political dilemma (because it requires them) to enforce policies they deem illegal, immoral and ultimately harmful to Israeli interests.” Many of their members are combat officers, they’ve served with distinction, and they rank from sergeant to major. They hold different political views, support peace but no one specific program, and they back a “two-state” solution they believe is “key to (peacefully resolving) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

The Shministim

The Shministim is made up of high school seniors approaching age 18 after which Jewish and Druze men and women face mandatory military service, except for exemptions on religious, health and other accepted grounds. The organization no longer maintains a web site.

Courage to Refuse (The Combatants Letter)

The organization was founded in 2002 by a group of 50 combat officers and soldiers after its members realized that their missions had nothing to do with defending Israel. They’re to colonize Palestine and oppress its people. They further believe that many commands issued them harm Israel’s strategic interests and they refuse to obey them.

They’ve served their country and support it, but they determined that “fighting in Gaza and….West Bank (was counterproductive): by obeying orders they would not be protecting the lives of their dear ones.” They believe “the Occupation poses a threat to the security of Israel.” They stated their beliefs openly in “The Combatant’s Letter.” Hundreds of IDF members signed it and joined “Courage to Refuse.” New members join weekly, and Yaffee Center for Strategic Studies surveys show that over 25% of Israelis sympathize with their struggle.

They continue to perform reserve duty, but won’t serve in the Occupied Territories. Over 280 of them have been court-martialed and jailed for up to 35 days. Yet they’ve “won a warm place for the movement in the hearts of many Israelis” who support their self-sacrifice and willingness to be imprisoned for their beliefs.

Hundreds of Israeli professors signed petitions for them. Sami Michael is acting chairman of the Israeli Association for Human Rights. He said that refusing the occupation is not just a moral act, it’s the purest form of patriotism in Israel today. Their reasons for not serving are stated above.

The Pilots Group

The Pilots Group maintains a web site in Hebrew only, so it can’t be monitored by non-Hebrew readers. In September 2003, 27 of their members (including reserve Brigadier General Yiftah Spector) published their statement for the first time. It declared they would no longer fly missions against West Bank and Gaza civilians, that doing so is illegal and immoral, and they denounced targeted assassinations.

On Israeli television, one pilot said: “We veteran pilots and active pilots alike….are opposed to carrying out illegal and immoral attacks, of the type carried out by Israel in the Territories. We….love the State of Israel (but) refuse to take part in air force attacks in civilian populations centers. We refuse to continue harming innocent civilians.”

They knew they could be punished for their stance and for their “illegitimate” and “forbidden” statement, according to Israel’s chief of army staff, Moshe Ya’alon. Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief Dan Halutz downplayed their action, said announcing it on national television was “inappropriate,” and called it “the mother of all dangers to our people.”

Because of it, they were expelled from the IAF, denounced as traitors, and went public again two months later to explain further. One captain’s comment was typical: “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 protect unnecessary loss of life. Somewhere in the last few years it became harder and harder to believe that is the case.”

A single incident changed them. It was the bombing of Hamas military leader Salah Shehade’s home that killed him and 14 members of his family, nine of whom were children. One pilot called it “murder,” another “state terrorism,” still another “vengeance,” and all agreed they could no longer perform these missions.

Lt. Colonel Avner Raanan was one of them. He’s one of Israel’s most respected and decorated pilots. He signed the letter and stated: “If you look at the past three years, you see that, if we had a suicide bombing, the Israeli air force made a big operation in which civilians were killed, and that looks to innocent eyes like revenge. You hear it in the streets of Israel; people want revenge. But we should not behave like that. We are not a mafia.”

Referring to an attack on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, another pilot added: “Is it legitimate to take F-15s and helicopters designed to destroy enemy tanks, and use them against cars and houses in one of the most heavily populated places in the world….we have become blinded by the blood on our own faces. We cannot see that on the other side….is a whole nation of innocent people.”

The pilots’ action and statements shook Israeli society. Their superiors condemned them, but over 500 supportive letters disagreed, including one from a holocaust survivor and others from fellow pilots. In addition, former left wing cabinet ministers also praised their courage.

Sayeret Matkal

This is an elite IDF commando unit that maintains no web site. In December 2003, 13 of its reservists and officers (including one major) wrote the Prime Minister declaring their refusal to serve henceforth in the Territories. Their statement read: “We say to you today, we will no longer give our hands to the oppressive reign in the territories and the denial of human rights to millions of Palestinians, and we will no longer serve as a defensive shield for the settlement enterprise.”

Members of this commando group carried out the 1976 Entebbe, Uganda airport raid that rescued 100 hostages on an Air France hijacked plane. They rarely serve in the Territories, but their announcement was significant because of the group’s standing in Israeli society. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak once commanded them and led a raid against a 1972 hijacked Sabena plane at Tel Aviv airport. He asked the signers to reconsider, called their letter a grave mistake, and said “it’s not too late to correct it….” Other officials also condemned them, but Meretz Knesset Member (MK) Roman Bronfman believed they acted bravely, and Labor MK Ophir Pines said it requires that serious discussion be held.

In May 2004, Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy was supportive. He urged more soldiers to speak out, discuss their actions in the Territories, and ask why they serve there “to protect groups of delusional settlers (and) what their systematic abuse of the Palestinians has to do with security….how many innocent people (have) they killed and (keep on) killing.”

He noted that Israelis don’t know what goes on in the Territories, so it’s up to soldiers to “lift this screen….The Palestinians aren’t believed, the Israeli press (keeps) its distance from the Territories and the international press is perceived as hostile. Only the soldiers can break the vicious circle….No one (can) deny their accounts….it’s time (for them) to stand up and speak out….how they killed and jailed and humiliated for no good reason.”

Excerpts From Soldiers Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence (Shovrim Shtika) dedicates itself to two purposes:

– exposing IDF oppression in occupied Palestine; and

– providing discharged Israeli soldiers and reservists a platform to explain what they were ordered to do on the ground.

In their own words, hundreds of their testimonies tell shocking stories – the ordeal they faced, its moral price, and the corrupting erosion it had on their values. They focus on orders gotten, rules of engagement and operational procedures that include frequent illegal commands:

– firing at civilians posing no risk;

– revenge operations for collective punishment; and

– intentionally attacking Palestinian rescue forces, including ambulances.

Their accounts are disturbing. They portray institutionalized moral corruption, universal contempt for Arabs, and how it affects everyone from new recruits to commanders. Rules of engagement are unrestrained, government oversight is non-existent, so reporting abuse is urgent. They want it stopped and demand an independent body to do it.

It goes on everywhere in occupied Palestine with Hebron a prominent example because it’s the only Palestinian city with an Israeli settlement in its center. Sixty-four soldiers from the Nachal brigade spoke out, they were there during the Second Intifada, and their testimonies recount horrors on the ground they were ordered to commit.

They call their experiences “shocking” with photos for confirming evidence. Their collective statement says: “In coping daily with the madness of Hebron, we couldn’t remain the same people beneath our uniforms. We saw our buddies and ourselves slowly changing….

We were exposed to the ugly face of terror….an innocent family killed while at the Sabbath table. Countless engagements, bereaved families, innocent civilians injured, chase and arrests.

The settlers….rioted, occupied houses, and confronted the police and army….The constant curfew made Hebron into a ghost town….The school in Jebl Ju’ar has been an army post….We asked ourselves why an army platoon prevents children from going to school. We found no answers.

We decided to speak out….to tell….Hebron isn’t in outer space….But it’s light years away from Tel Aviv….Come, see, hear and understand what’s happening there.”

Here are more paraphrased comments:

We man checkpoints, stop people from going somewhere, humiliate them, but “I’m doing my duty (and) inflicting pain on people, harming them unnecessarily.” It affects your mind, your sleep the longer you serve there. Jews do as they please. There are no laws. Anything goes, breaking into shops, occupying Palestinian homes. Your judgment gets impaired when everyday your enemy is an Arab. You don’t look at them as people. But they’re not dogs, not animals, not inferior, yet they simply don’t count, and since they’re your enemy you can kill them.

At checkpoints, our job was don’t let them pass. It was absurd, there were old ladies who had to get through to go home. Why was it forbidden to pass? It was collective punishment. “You’re not allowed to pass because you’re not allowed to pass.” Then there are the curfews. “I’m certain that 80% of the time there was a curfew.” We closed all the stores and sent everyone home.

I’m ashamed of myself because I realized I enjoy the feeling of power. I’m the Law. It’s a mighty feeling. It’s because you have a weapon, because you’re a soldier, it’s addictive. You can do whatever you want, unsupervised, enter people’s homes, conduct random searches. Tell them what you want and they’ll do it because they’re afraid. Palestinians feel you don’t let them walk in the streets, work, live or breathe.

I have a machine gun, it’s loaded, the safety catch is off. I can shoot you any time, for any reason, split your head open with the gun butt and my commander will pat me on the back and say good job. It’s crazy, I’m just a kid, but Hebron hardens you. I say to myself I’m doing something I don’t believe in, and I’m putting myself in a position where someone wants to kill me because of it. You see things that couldn’t possibly happen in your own home and shouldn’t happen. But here everything is different.

Any time of day or night, whenever we feel like it, we pick a house, any house, and we go in. We move all the men into one room, the women in another, and place them under guard. We can do whatever we want. There’s no justification for it. It shouldn’t be happening.

Then there are the settlers. They run wild. There’s no law. They do what they please. So they burn another shop, trash another home, occupy another one, no big deal, happens all the time. We just watch and do nothing.

If someone is sick and needs to go to the hospital, I ask my commander if I can let her pass. No way if there’s a curfew. She’s not going anywhere no matter how sick. All these stories are my daily routine for over six months. When it ended, I questioned whether I protected myself or my country. I began watching out for myself because I didn’t believe in the ideology.

Serving in Hebron made me feel there’s something different about being a Jew. I can’t explain it. I’m supposed to guard the settlers who don’t have the kind of morality I was raised to believe. I reached a point where I didn’t know who the enemy was anymore, Jews or Arabs. Maybe I need to protect the Arabs, not the Jews who attack them. I feel emotionally injured. If someone’s caught breaking curfew, we can let them have it aggressively. Hold them, make them wait eight hours with no water, sit and wait. “Why? Because he walked outside. Because he dared go buy something. Because he dared send his kid to school.” We can even shoot them.

Selected Israeli Organizations Supporting Refuseniks

Several important ones are covered below:

New Profile

New Profile is a pluralistic feminist organization that includes men and women. It’s goal is to transform Israel from a militaristic to a civil society. It opposes occupation and supports all conscientious objectors – from pacifists opposed to war to refuseniks who won’t serve in occupied Palestine. Its charter states that “Israel is capable of a determined peace politics. It need not be a militarized society.” It understands that “the words ‘national security’ have often masked calculated decisions to choose military action for the achievement of political goals.”

It no longer is “willing to take part in such choices. We are no longer willing to go on being mobilized, raising our children for mobilization….while those in charge of the country go on deploying the army easily, rather than building other solutions.”

It’s “hard to express this type opinion in Israel today….An attitude that dares question the fundamental principle of willing enlistment is almost incomprehensible in a soldiers’ state.” We reject perpetuating war. We prioritize and protect life.

“We oppose the use of the army, police, (and) security forces in the ongoing oppression and discrimination of the Palestinian citizens of Israel (and in the Occupied Territories),” in demolishing their homes, “denying them building and development rights, (and) using violence” against them. Thousands of young Israelis are opting out and refuse to serve. They reject military service in Israel today. The IDF states that only one-third of reserve forces in fact serve actively.

Israeli law doesn’t recognize conscientious objection. “We regard Israeli conscription law as discriminatory and non-democratic, and call for” recognizing every person’s right to act according to his or her conscience. They should have the right to fulfill their social commitment by alternative civic or community means, including through non-governmental, voluntary organizations.

The Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN)

It was founded in 2002 to support Israel’s growing “Refuser Movement.” RSN supports Courage to Refuse, Combatants for Peace, Yesh G’vul, the Shiministim, New Profile and other Israeli organizations advocating peaceful conflict resolution in Occupied Palestine.

Its original 2002 “Call to Action” declaration said: “The time has come” to act against growing violence. Increasing numbers of Israeli soldiers reject serving in Occupied Palestine. They’ve seen what goes on, it has nothing to do with security, and its sole purpose is “perpetuating our control over the Palestinian people.” They now declare they no longer will help “dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.”

The time has come “to listen to our consciences,” summon our courage, and publicly support them. Israel can never have peace and security unless it withdraws from Occupied Palestine. This is a “crucial moment, a potential turning point.” Their campaign was initiated from Chicago, but it resonates across the country as a “portal” in support of the Refuser Movement in Israel.

Combatants for Peace

Former Palestinian and Israeli cycle of violence participants are the founders – IDF soldiers and Palestinian resistance fighters. They believe their actions were futile, decided another way is crucial, and now work together for peace. Henceforth, they “refuse to take part (in further) bloodletting.” They will only act non-violently through dialogue and reconciliation and work together cooperatively to understand each other’s aspirations.

Their goal – end the occupation, halt the settlement project, and establish a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem alongside the State of Israel. They want to raise consciousness, educate both sides, and create political pressure to establish a constructive dialogue for resolution.

They hold meetings, conduct educational lectures and public forums, undertake joint projects, have bi-national media teams to get out their message, and participate in non-violent demonstrations against the occupation. It’s motto reads: “Only by joining forces, will we be able to end the cycle of violence.”

Israeli Laws Affecting Conscientious Objection and Refuseniks

Conscription existed since Israel became a state in 1948. Today, its legal basis comes under the country’s 1986 National Defence Service Law. It requires all Israeli citizens and permanent residents (men and women) to serve. However, the Ministry of Defence has discretion under Article 36 to exempt all non-Jews, except the Druze. Israeli Arabs may volunteer, but they’re not encouraged, and very few do it. Reserve service is also required up to age 51 for men and 24 for women.

Exemptions are possible for reasons of:

– educational requirements,

– religion (orthodox Jews are exempted),

– health,

– family considerations,

– married or pregnant women or those with children,

– persons convicted of crimes,

– the undereducated (until they complete at least eight years of school), and

– other considerations at the Ministry of Defence’s discretion.

Israeli law rejects conscientious objection rights for men and only partly accepts them for women on the basis of religion. Those who cite it and refuse to serve are in trouble. They’re subjected to unfair procedures and hearings that may, and most often do, recommend prosecution and imprisonment.

Israel signed the United Nations Charter and must, under its provisions, comply with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its Article 18 guarantees everyone “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” So does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under Article 18 where it repeats that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion…” By denying refuseniks this right, Israel violates international law and a fundamental human right afforded everyone under it.

No official figures exist, but refusenik numbers have grown since the Second Intifada began in September 2000. Most opt out in the Territories, and estimates of their numbers range from 1100 well-documented cases to as many as double that number. Here’s what they face.

Article 35 (a) (2) of the National Defence Service Law states that:

– failure to fulfill a duty under the law is punishable by up to two years imprisonment;

– evading military service is subject to five years in prison;

– refusing to perform reserve duties calls for up to a 56 day sentence that’s renewable if the objector refuses repeatedly;

– helping someone avoid military service is punishable by a fine and up to two years in prison;

– disobeying call-up orders means facing up to five years imprisonment, although most often sentences rarely exceed 12 months.

Refuseniks are generally sentenced on one of the following charges:

– refusing to obey an order;

– absence without leave;

– desertion; or

– refusing to be mobilized.

Where exemption applications are denied, individuals are ordered to perform military or reserve duty. Continued refusal can mean discipline or court-martial, and repeat offenders face re-imprisonment in violation of Article 14, paragraph 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It states: “No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an offence for which he (or she) has already been finally convicted or acquitted in accordance with the law and penal procedure of each country.”

Summary Comments

Peace activists, people of conscience and most notably Israeli refuseniks are in the front lines of a valiant struggle:

– to free Palestinians from 41 illegal occupation years,

– end decades of abuse,

– achieve a just and lasting peace, and

– protect everyone’s fundamental human rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for “all members of the human family….”

Israel must no longer be exempted from international law, from being allowed to flaunt it brazenly, from ignoring over five dozen UN Resolutions going back decades. Peace activists and refuseniks condemn the Jewish state for its actions, deplore it for committing them, and demand, call on and insist Israeli governments end them. Its lawlessness must end, and collective resistance can achieve it. It’s no longer an option. It’s an obligation to assure that everyone has equal dignity and the right to life, liberty, security and freedom under universal international law.

John A June 24th, 2009 1209 GMT

Nadene Goldfoot wrote:
That’s not what happened at all, of course. We do not go around slaughtering people.
————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Why do all Israeli supporters claim that everybody else is wrong and their version of the truth is the only acceptable version. Why do Israeli supporters also faill to recognise the words of their own servicement who really know what they have been ordered to do.

Filipe has admitted that he wont read or accept these words. Filipe is so uncomfortable with the truth. So Nadene I will repeat the words of IDF servicemen so you can reveiw them. Sorry Zionists the truth will not go away!
*******************************************************************

John A Cut N Paste,

How is it you can dispute the testimony of someone like Nadine who claims to have personally been there???

Were you there??? Of course not !!!! But you think you know truth??? Oh Please !!!!!

I don't need to read your cut n paste jobs of unknown origins !!!! What does that prove ??? Nothing !!!!

And I'm perfectly comfortable and willing to accept truth--always have been -always will!!

I just don't consider anything that comes from you--or from undisclosed sources or from unproven origins as the "truth" !!!!

But apparently-- for you-- the truth can come from anyplace at anytime from anywhere or from anybody !!!

Sorry-- but that doesn't work for me !!!

But once again–I'll ask-–since you failed to respond to my previous post--

Has someone told you that Israel is exempt from international law ???

I haven’t seen that declaration anywhere—- why don’t be a good boy and provide a link from the UN or ICC or WCC or any other international legislative body to support that?

I’d like to take your word for it—— but that just doesn’t cut it—- !!!!

What's wrong-- can't find the evidence anywhere ??

John A ,

You said-–"Why do all Israeli supporters claim that everybody else is wrong and their version of the truth is the only acceptable version. Why do Israeli supporters also faill to recognise the words of their own servicement who really know what they have been ordered to do.

**********************************************************************

Since when is there more than one version of the truth !

Truth doesn't come in "versions". Truth is truth !!!

Where did you learn this?? Have you never taken a true/false exam??

As far as your issues of statements from the IDF--- those were all investigated and found to be 100% hearsay, second hand-third hand accounts of what happened. They were all determined to be unfounded and without basis.

But if you really believe them as truth-- Please explain why none of those who have spoken out have resulted in any arrests, trials or convictions???

In fact--- the entire issue seems to have been totally dismissed and forgotten by any and all prosecutorial entities !!!

Could it be that it was all nothing more than BS to begin with ??

Filipe when I find an interesting text I post it to provoke thought. On the other hand your texts are intended to prevent thought, in a hope that we all accept the status quo.

Thankfully we can chose to consider all sides of the situation or Filipe you are free to dismiss the concept of engaging your brain.

The text i have posted comes from former Israeli army soldiers and organizations they have formed to prevent Israel from its persecution of Palestinians.

You have no interest in exploring these organizations even when they have been listed under your nose. The simple reason is that you are not interested in the truth and you don't want anybody else to think about the truth. But the truth does not disappear and can not be represented by a Jewish lobby or Zionist supporters such as you.

Again read the truth, check the organizations and answer the comments. Or you can continue to dismiss thought and live in ignorance. The world is changing Filipe, to bad you are not.

http://mazinx.wordpress.com/2008/05/page/2/

They’re called “Refuseniks” but not for refusing to serve. They’ve done it proudly and courageously, and here’s how “Courage to Refuse” members state their position:

“We, reserve officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)….have always served in the front lines….were first to carry out any mission, light or heavy, (and we did it) to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.

We….served….long weeks every year, in spite of dear cost to our personal lives, have been on reserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country (but were only given to perpetuate) our control over the Palestinian people. We(’ve)….seen the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.

….the commands issued to us in the Territories (have) destroy(ed) all the values (we learned) growing up in this country.

….the (way) the Occupation (undermines the) IDF’s human character and (exposes) the corruption of the entire Israeli society.

We….know that the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated in the end.

We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements.

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

We hereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Forces in any mission that serves Israel’s defense.

The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall take no part in them.”

These are courageous men and some women, hundreds of them. Their “Courage to Refuse – Combatant’s Letter” web site lists 550 by name. There are hundreds more as well. Their numbers are growing, and their resistance is firm. There are five separate refusenik groups. They’re listed below. Courage to Refuse is one of them.

Yesh Gvul (There is A Limit)

Yesh Gvul combats the “misuse of the IDF for unworthy ends” that includes the occupation of Palestine. It was established during Israel’s 1982 Lebanon invasion that they denounced as a “naked (act of) aggression in which they wanted no part.” It supports imprisoned members and their families, holds vigils where they’re held, informs the public of their status, and embraces a peace agenda. They state that “as responsible citizens (they) declare that (they) will take no part in the continued oppression of the Palestinian people (nor will they) participate in policing actions or in guarding the settlements.”

They further say that as “an Israeli peace group” they oppose the occupation and support soldiers who refuse to be part of it. They call the Israeli army’s role “brutal” and “subjugating.” It places servicemen “in a grave and moral and political dilemma (because it requires them) to enforce policies they deem illegal, immoral and ultimately harmful to Israeli interests.” Many of their members are combat officers, they’ve served with distinction, and they rank from sergeant to major. They hold different political views, support peace but no one specific program, and they back a “two-state” solution they believe is “key to (peacefully resolving) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

The Shministim

The Shministim is made up of high school seniors approaching age 18 after which Jewish and Druze men and women face mandatory military service, except for exemptions on religious, health and other accepted grounds. The organization no longer maintains a web site.

Courage to Refuse (The Combatants Letter)

The organization was founded in 2002 by a group of 50 combat officers and soldiers after its members realized that their missions had nothing to do with defending Israel. They’re to colonize Palestine and oppress its people. They further believe that many commands issued them harm Israel’s strategic interests and they refuse to obey them.

They’ve served their country and support it, but they determined that “fighting in Gaza and….West Bank (was counterproductive): by obeying orders they would not be protecting the lives of their dear ones.” They believe “the Occupation poses a threat to the security of Israel.” They stated their beliefs openly in “The Combatant’s Letter.” Hundreds of IDF members signed it and joined “Courage to Refuse.” New members join weekly, and Yaffee Center for Strategic Studies surveys show that over 25% of Israelis sympathize with their struggle.

They continue to perform reserve duty, but won’t serve in the Occupied Territories. Over 280 of them have been court-martialed and jailed for up to 35 days. Yet they’ve “won a warm place for the movement in the hearts of many Israelis” who support their self-sacrifice and willingness to be imprisoned for their beliefs.

Hundreds of Israeli professors signed petitions for them. Sami Michael is acting chairman of the Israeli Association for Human Rights. He said that refusing the occupation is not just a moral act, it’s the purest form of patriotism in Israel today. Their reasons for not serving are stated above.

The Pilots Group

The Pilots Group maintains a web site in Hebrew only, so it can’t be monitored by non-Hebrew readers. In September 2003, 27 of their members (including reserve Brigadier General Yiftah Spector) published their statement for the first time. It declared they would no longer fly missions against West Bank and Gaza civilians, that doing so is illegal and immoral, and they denounced targeted assassinations.

On Israeli television, one pilot said: “We veteran pilots and active pilots alike….are opposed to carrying out illegal and immoral attacks, of the type carried out by Israel in the Territories. We….love the State of Israel (but) refuse to take part in air force attacks in civilian populations centers. We refuse to continue harming innocent civilians.”

They knew they could be punished for their stance and for their “illegitimate” and “forbidden” statement, according to Israel’s chief of army staff, Moshe Ya’alon. Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief Dan Halutz downplayed their action, said announcing it on national television was “inappropriate,” and called it “the mother of all dangers to our people.”

Because of it, they were expelled from the IAF, denounced as traitors, and went public again two months later to explain further. One captain’s comment was typical: “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 protect unnecessary loss of life. Somewhere in the last few years it became harder and harder to believe that is the case.”

A single incident changed them. It was the bombing of Hamas military leader Salah Shehade’s home that killed him and 14 members of his family, nine of whom were children. One pilot called it “murder,” another “state terrorism,” still another “vengeance,” and all agreed they could no longer perform these missions.

Lt. Colonel Avner Raanan was one of them. He’s one of Israel’s most respected and decorated pilots. He signed the letter and stated: “If you look at the past three years, you see that, if we had a suicide bombing, the Israeli air force made a big operation in which civilians were killed, and that looks to innocent eyes like revenge. You hear it in the streets of Israel; people want revenge. But we should not behave like that. We are not a mafia.”

Referring to an attack on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, another pilot added: “Is it legitimate to take F-15s and helicopters designed to destroy enemy tanks, and use them against cars and houses in one of the most heavily populated places in the world….we have become blinded by the blood on our own faces. We cannot see that on the other side….is a whole nation of innocent people.”

The pilots’ action and statements shook Israeli society. Their superiors condemned them, but over 500 supportive letters disagreed, including one from a holocaust survivor and others from fellow pilots. In addition, former left wing cabinet ministers also praised their courage.

Sayeret Matkal

This is an elite IDF commando unit that maintains no web site. In December 2003, 13 of its reservists and officers (including one major) wrote the Prime Minister declaring their refusal to serve henceforth in the Territories. Their statement read: “We say to you today, we will no longer give our hands to the oppressive reign in the territories and the denial of human rights to millions of Palestinians, and we will no longer serve as a defensive shield for the settlement enterprise.”

Members of this commando group carried out the 1976 Entebbe, Uganda airport raid that rescued 100 hostages on an Air France hijacked plane. They rarely serve in the Territories, but their announcement was significant because of the group’s standing in Israeli society. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak once commanded them and led a raid against a 1972 hijacked Sabena plane at Tel Aviv airport. He asked the signers to reconsider, called their letter a grave mistake, and said “it’s not too late to correct it….” Other officials also condemned them, but Meretz Knesset Member (MK) Roman Bronfman believed they acted bravely, and Labor MK Ophir Pines said it requires that serious discussion be held.

In May 2004, Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy was supportive. He urged more soldiers to speak out, discuss their actions in the Territories, and ask why they serve there “to protect groups of delusional settlers (and) what their systematic abuse of the Palestinians has to do with security….how many innocent people (have) they killed and (keep on) killing.”

He noted that Israelis don’t know what goes on in the Territories, so it’s up to soldiers to “lift this screen….The Palestinians aren’t believed, the Israeli press (keeps) its distance from the Territories and the international press is perceived as hostile. Only the soldiers can break the vicious circle….No one (can) deny their accounts….it’s time (for them) to stand up and speak out….how they killed and jailed and humiliated for no good reason.”

Excerpts From Soldiers Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence (Shovrim Shtika) dedicates itself to two purposes:

– exposing IDF oppression in occupied Palestine; and

– providing discharged Israeli soldiers and reservists a platform to explain what they were ordered to do on the ground.

In their own words, hundreds of their testimonies tell shocking stories – the ordeal they faced, its moral price, and the corrupting erosion it had on their values. They focus on orders gotten, rules of engagement and operational procedures that include frequent illegal commands:

– firing at civilians posing no risk;

– revenge operations for collective punishment; and

– intentionally attacking Palestinian rescue forces, including ambulances.

Their accounts are disturbing. They portray institutionalized moral corruption, universal contempt for Arabs, and how it affects everyone from new recruits to commanders. Rules of engagement are unrestrained, government oversight is non-existent, so reporting abuse is urgent. They want it stopped and demand an independent body to do it.

It goes on everywhere in occupied Palestine with Hebron a prominent example because it’s the only Palestinian city with an Israeli settlement in its center. Sixty-four soldiers from the Nachal brigade spoke out, they were there during the Second Intifada, and their testimonies recount horrors on the ground they were ordered to commit.

They call their experiences “shocking” with photos for confirming evidence. Their collective statement says: “In coping daily with the madness of Hebron, we couldn’t remain the same people beneath our uniforms. We saw our buddies and ourselves slowly changing….

We were exposed to the ugly face of terror….an innocent family killed while at the Sabbath table. Countless engagements, bereaved families, innocent civilians injured, chase and arrests.

The settlers….rioted, occupied houses, and confronted the police and army….The constant curfew made Hebron into a ghost town….The school in Jebl Ju’ar has been an army post….We asked ourselves why an army platoon prevents children from going to school. We found no answers.

We decided to speak out….to tell….Hebron isn’t in outer space….But it’s light years away from Tel Aviv….Come, see, hear and understand what’s happening there.”

Here are more paraphrased comments:

We man checkpoints, stop people from going somewhere, humiliate them, but “I’m doing my duty (and) inflicting pain on people, harming them unnecessarily.” It affects your mind, your sleep the longer you serve there. Jews do as they please. There are no laws. Anything goes, breaking into shops, occupying Palestinian homes. Your judgment gets impaired when everyday your enemy is an Arab. You don’t look at them as people. But they’re not dogs, not animals, not inferior, yet they simply don’t count, and since they’re your enemy you can kill them.

At checkpoints, our job was don’t let them pass. It was absurd, there were old ladies who had to get through to go home. Why was it forbidden to pass? It was collective punishment. “You’re not allowed to pass because you’re not allowed to pass.” Then there are the curfews. “I’m certain that 80% of the time there was a curfew.” We closed all the stores and sent everyone home.

I’m ashamed of myself because I realized I enjoy the feeling of power. I’m the Law. It’s a mighty feeling. It’s because you have a weapon, because you’re a soldier, it’s addictive. You can do whatever you want, unsupervised, enter people’s homes, conduct random searches. Tell them what you want and they’ll do it because they’re afraid. Palestinians feel you don’t let them walk in the streets, work, live or breathe.

I have a machine gun, it’s loaded, the safety catch is off. I can shoot you any time, for any reason, split your head open with the gun butt and my commander will pat me on the back and say good job. It’s crazy, I’m just a kid, but Hebron hardens you. I say to myself I’m doing something I don’t believe in, and I’m putting myself in a position where someone wants to kill me because of it. You see things that couldn’t possibly happen in your own home and shouldn’t happen. But here everything is different.

Any time of day or night, whenever we feel like it, we pick a house, any house, and we go in. We move all the men into one room, the women in another, and place them under guard. We can do whatever we want. There’s no justification for it. It shouldn’t be happening.

Then there are the settlers. They run wild. There’s no law. They do what they please. So they burn another shop, trash another home, occupy another one, no big deal, happens all the time. We just watch and do nothing.

If someone is sick and needs to go to the hospital, I ask my commander if I can let her pass. No way if there’s a curfew. She’s not going anywhere no matter how sick. All these stories are my daily routine for over six months. When it ended, I questioned whether I protected myself or my country. I began watching out for myself because I didn’t believe in the ideology.

Serving in Hebron made me feel there’s something different about being a Jew. I can’t explain it. I’m supposed to guard the settlers who don’t have the kind of morality I was raised to believe. I reached a point where I didn’t know who the enemy was anymore, Jews or Arabs. Maybe I need to protect the Arabs, not the Jews who attack them. I feel emotionally injured. If someone’s caught breaking curfew, we can let them have it aggressively. Hold them, make them wait eight hours with no water, sit and wait. “Why? Because he walked outside. Because he dared go buy something. Because he dared send his kid to school.” We can even shoot them.

Selected Israeli Organizations Supporting Refuseniks

Several important ones are covered below:

New Profile

New Profile is a pluralistic feminist organization that includes men and women. It’s goal is to transform Israel from a militaristic to a civil society. It opposes occupation and supports all conscientious objectors – from pacifists opposed to war to refuseniks who won’t serve in occupied Palestine. Its charter states that “Israel is capable of a determined peace politics. It need not be a militarized society.” It understands that “the words ‘national security’ have often masked calculated decisions to choose military action for the achievement of political goals.”

It no longer is “willing to take part in such choices. We are no longer willing to go on being mobilized, raising our children for mobilization….while those in charge of the country go on deploying the army easily, rather than building other solutions.”

It’s “hard to express this type opinion in Israel today….An attitude that dares question the fundamental principle of willing enlistment is almost incomprehensible in a soldiers’ state.” We reject perpetuating war. We prioritize and protect life.

“We oppose the use of the army, police, (and) security forces in the ongoing oppression and discrimination of the Palestinian citizens of Israel (and in the Occupied Territories),” in demolishing their homes, “denying them building and development rights, (and) using violence” against them. Thousands of young Israelis are opting out and refuse to serve. They reject military service in Israel today. The IDF states that only one-third of reserve forces in fact serve actively.

Israeli law doesn’t recognize conscientious objection. “We regard Israeli conscription law as discriminatory and non-democratic, and call for” recognizing every person’s right to act according to his or her conscience. They should have the right to fulfill their social commitment by alternative civic or community means, including through non-governmental, voluntary organizations.

The Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN)

It was founded in 2002 to support Israel’s growing “Refuser Movement.” RSN supports Courage to Refuse, Combatants for Peace, Yesh G’vul, the Shiministim, New Profile and other Israeli organizations advocating peaceful conflict resolution in Occupied Palestine.

Its original 2002 “Call to Action” declaration said: “The time has come” to act against growing violence. Increasing numbers of Israeli soldiers reject serving in Occupied Palestine. They’ve seen what goes on, it has nothing to do with security, and its sole purpose is “perpetuating our control over the Palestinian people.” They now declare they no longer will help “dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.”

The time has come “to listen to our consciences,” summon our courage, and publicly support them. Israel can never have peace and security unless it withdraws from Occupied Palestine. This is a “crucial moment, a potential turning point.” Their campaign was initiated from Chicago, but it resonates across the country as a “portal” in support of the Refuser Movement in Israel.

Combatants for Peace

Former Palestinian and Israeli cycle of violence participants are the founders – IDF soldiers and Palestinian resistance fighters. They believe their actions were futile, decided another way is crucial, and now work together for peace. Henceforth, they “refuse to take part (in further) bloodletting.” They will only act non-violently through dialogue and reconciliation and work together cooperatively to understand each other’s aspirations.

Their goal – end the occupation, halt the settlement project, and establish a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem alongside the State of Israel. They want to raise consciousness, educate both sides, and create political pressure to establish a constructive dialogue for resolution.

They hold meetings, conduct educational lectures and public forums, undertake joint projects, have bi-national media teams to get out their message, and participate in non-violent demonstrations against the occupation. It’s motto reads: “Only by joining forces, will we be able to end the cycle of violence.”

Israeli Laws Affecting Conscientious Objection and Refuseniks

Conscription existed since Israel became a state in 1948. Today, its legal basis comes under the country’s 1986 National Defence Service Law. It requires all Israeli citizens and permanent residents (men and women) to serve. However, the Ministry of Defence has discretion under Article 36 to exempt all non-Jews, except the Druze. Israeli Arabs may volunteer, but they’re not encouraged, and very few do it. Reserve service is also required up to age 51 for men and 24 for women.

Exemptions are possible for reasons of:

– educational requirements,

– religion (orthodox Jews are exempted),

– health,

– family considerations,

– married or pregnant women or those with children,

– persons convicted of crimes,

– the undereducated (until they complete at least eight years of school), and

– other considerations at the Ministry of Defence’s discretion.

Israeli law rejects conscientious objection rights for men and only partly accepts them for women on the basis of religion. Those who cite it and refuse to serve are in trouble. They’re subjected to unfair procedures and hearings that may, and most often do, recommend prosecution and imprisonment.

Israel signed the United Nations Charter and must, under its provisions, comply with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its Article 18 guarantees everyone “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” So does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under Article 18 where it repeats that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion…” By denying refuseniks this right, Israel violates international law and a fundamental human right afforded everyone under it.

No official figures exist, but refusenik numbers have grown since the Second Intifada began in September 2000. Most opt out in the Territories, and estimates of their numbers range from 1100 well-documented cases to as many as double that number. Here’s what they face.

Article 35 (a) (2) of the National Defence Service Law states that:

– failure to fulfill a duty under the law is punishable by up to two years imprisonment;

– evading military service is subject to five years in prison;

– refusing to perform reserve duties calls for up to a 56 day sentence that’s renewable if the objector refuses repeatedly;

– helping someone avoid military service is punishable by a fine and up to two years in prison;

– disobeying call-up orders means facing up to five years imprisonment, although most often sentences rarely exceed 12 months.

Refuseniks are generally sentenced on one of the following charges:

– refusing to obey an order;

– absence without leave;

– desertion; or

– refusing to be mobilized.

Where exemption applications are denied, individuals are ordered to perform military or reserve duty. Continued refusal can mean discipline or court-martial, and repeat offenders face re-imprisonment in violation of Article 14, paragraph 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It states: “No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an offence for which he (or she) has already been finally convicted or acquitted in accordance with the law and penal procedure of each country.”

Summary Comments

Peace activists, people of conscience and most notably Israeli refuseniks are in the front lines of a valiant struggle:

– to free Palestinians from 41 illegal occupation years,

– end decades of abuse,

– achieve a just and lasting peace, and

– protect everyone’s fundamental human rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for “all members of the human family….”

Israel must no longer be exempted from international law, from being allowed to flaunt it brazenly, from ignoring over five dozen UN Resolutions going back decades. Peace activists and refuseniks condemn the Jewish state for its actions, deplore it for committing them, and demand, call on and insist Israeli governments end them. Its lawlessness must end, and collective resistance can achieve it. It’s no longer an option. It’s an obligation to assure that everyone has equal dignity and the right to life, liberty, security and freedom under universal international law.

Filipe you never asked Nadene Goldfoot to provide proof to her statements, but you refuse to accept well listed comments from former Israeli soldiers who oppose the Zionist political racist war machine.

Filipe you have no interest in humanity or justice. I guess you must be sitting by the side of a comfortable swimming pool established in land illegally occupied by Israels viscous war machine. Do you care how many civilians have died for your comfort and misguided beliefs?

John A,

Obviously you never grasped the fact that Nadine's statements were from personal experience or documented historical facts

What do you want her to do???? Provide some sort of certified witness statement for her own personal accounts??

You also failed miserably to understand that none of the IDF statements were of personal experiences or eyewitness accounts-– that is the clear and simple fact and also the reason as to why no one has been held accountable for the things that were reported.

If you have some proof otherwise-you should forward it to the proper authorities so those responsible for any crimes can be held accountable.

Otherwise-all you are doing is disseminating propaganda !!!

You need not concern yourself about how many civilians have died for my comfort or beliefs. It has nothing to do with the subject at hand. My people have lived in this land hundreds upon hundreds of years and never been subjected to the rule of any outside forces. My ancestors are descendants of the original inhabitants of the land.

If anyone dares disagree with you-- you automatically think they are a Zionist or Israeli !!!!!!

There's a lot more to the world than you care to admit !!!

Israel belongs to the Jews;everyone else are just guest(some are uninvited).The U.S. OR any other nation should not meddle where they don't belong.NO 2-state solution.Respect their wishes if you are their true freinds.

Mark Fraley the world does not befriend those who use a powerful army to murder unarmed civilians.
Thats why Israel is losing friends every hour of the day.

John,
What you have posted about Israel's IDF is very shocking. Can you verify your sources? Israel has about a million Arab citizens, and I'm really wondering if one of them is posting all this that is so contrary to what I know.
I have a friend, Tamar, who has spoken to at least 100 soldiers in the IDF after Operation Cast Lead and their biggest complaints were a cease fire before they finished the job and leaving with their comrade, Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped in Gaza.
How about reading the author, Daniel Gordis, who writes for the Jerusalem Post. http://danielgordis.org/2009/07/06/1179/
The world seems to have double standards for Israel. Other countries can do no wrong, but sure pounce on Israel quickly, and it's Israel who is trying to do the right thing. Israel was answering to eight years of its citizens in Southern Israel being shelled unmercifally. Did the world complain? No. Only when Israel responded did the world complain of the response to being shelled. That wasn't the first episode of Arabs attacking Israelis and killing. It was one in a long string of episodes.
Everyone in Israel has to be a soldier at sometime, as I aid previously, due to the dangerous position they are in. I've never never heard of any feelings such as you've managed to post. Although Israel is a democracy and Israelis don't have to be afraid of what they say, just like Americans, I haven't heard of such an attitude. We've been hounded for centuries, ever since 70 AD, and in our prayers we say, "Next Year in Jerusalem." We've been saying that for 2,000 years. Now is the time. We've finally made it and returned with the sanction of the UN in 1948. Don't you think it's time for the Arabs to lay down their arms and think of peaceful cohabitation instead of death? That's what Israelis want.

Am viewing by the comments that confidence for peace does not remain within most posts.Peace can occur when all sides seek mutual satisfaction,give and take in debate.
Not one side of the conflict will achieve entire side of their want list.
Both sides will need to accept lose to obtain success.

No matter what your opinion of ex-President Carter,atleast his presence in the region is far better than no presence by useless current politicans these past few years.
The type of leaders being useless is far greater than any others of the past.

I believe that had peace been achieved before,the Hamas party would never have existed.
A party like Hamas usually becomes materialized due to the failures of both sides of a conflict of that past.
In this case,the two at fault were both Isreal and Mr.Arafat's ex-PLO (Fatah party) for the birth of Hamas.

Had peace become achieved,had corruption within palestinian political society not existed,had peace not been achieved because of failures to return to 1967 borders,failed talks concerning water resources,lack of confidence led to Hamas becoming created.
Now, if Hamas seeks any future within the society of Palestine,it will need to befriend Fatah party or peace will never occur.

Had Isreal truly wanted peace within its society,it never would have elected far too many consecutive hawks in its political past.

What i really hoped that Mr. Carter could have achieved in this recent visit could have the safe return of that Isreali IDF soldier, (do not recall his name now) as a sign of goodwill from Hamas to both Fatah and Isreal.
Hamas has infact,lost the greatest opportunity for compassion,by not having released that Isreali soldier to Mr. Carter.
Had that occurred, the thoughts for the future would have currently been far better too.
If anyone can get the past failures towards peace again on track, it will be Mr. Carter. Everyone else is about as effective as that useless,
Ms.Condolezza Rice whom was to visit that region,more for photo ops than anything else.
Hamas, this time you blew it. the best chance to change direction would have been giving mr. Carter that soldier prisoner.