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Recognizing Courage: The Israli Refusniks,


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Recognizing Courage: The Israli Refusniks,
By Catherine Sheehy

February 2002
Volume 39, Number 2


Recent tragic events in the Middle East and the Bush Administration's ongoing "war on terrorism" that is further destabilizing the region (see Erik Gustafson's article, "The Gathering Storm over Iraq" in this issue) leaves progressives in the DC Metro area wondering what we can or should do in response. Various groups have stepped up to provide some guidance in calling attention to injustice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee, Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel and Black Voices for Peace, each of which have held vigils or demonstrations in recent weeks calling for peaceful resolution of the conflict.

It is times such as these that truly test our commitment and our courage. In keeping with the Washington Peace Center's longstanding tradition of supporting those who take righteous though unpopular positions during times of great moral crisis, the Washington Peace Letter editing crew wishes to commend the 400 plus Israeli soldiers who have refused to serve in the occupied territories. In profiling this act of courage, the Peace Letter crew has taken the liberty of excerpting a statement written by Guy Grossman, a second lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces and eleventh signatory of the Courage to Refuse letter. The Peace Letter editorial crew does not necessarily agree with all of what Grossman writes. We do, however, honor him and his fellow "Refusniks" for their profound act of bravery. The full text of this statement is available at www.seruv.org.il/linksEng.asp.

A Principled and Patriotic No!
by Guy Grossman

For an Israeli officer, refusing to serve is one of the hardest decisions to make; in the current atmosphere of war, the pressure for solidarity is intense. Yet, at this time of crisis, it is a critical step to protect the very foundations of the state that I, as an Israeli, am sworn to defend. I was reared on the Zionist values of self-sacrifice and commitment to my people's national survival, as well as on universal values of justice and human rights. At 18, I volunteered for an elite Paratrooper unit, became an officer, and during my service spent 18 months in the occupied territories and three months in Lebanon. After four years of rigorous military service, I became one of Israel's 400,000 reserve soldiers, responsible for four to six weeks of duty a year.

The eleven-year journey from enthusiastic new recruit to refuser has been arduous and soul searching. It required challenging some of the cherished myths of my country as well as a painful shift in identity. I was a hero and now I am shunned, even called a traitor. But this step is necessary not only for my own conscience but also to protect the values on which Israel was founded.

I was the eleventh Israeli reserve officer to join "Ometz Le'sarev" (Courage to Refuse) and sign the declaration that "We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve, and humiliate an entire people…". At the same time, we declare our loyalty to the State and people of Israel and our willingness to "continue serving in the Israel Defense Forces in any mission that serves Israel's defense". This decision required difficult confrontations with family and friends, and a willingness to pay a high personal price. Some military comrades severed all ties with me, and 35 municipalities have decided not to employ refusers. As I write, 36 fellow refusers are serving sentences in military prison. Last week the Attorney General raised the stakes by proposing the much more serious charge of treason….

During my service in the occupied territories, I realized that I was issuing commands with little bearing on the security of my country. Quite the opposite. As a patriot it is my duty to speak the truth and tell my people that this continued war of folly is undermining my country's long-term security. It erodes our legitimacy and the world's support. This "war for the settlements" does not deter the despicable scourge of Palestinian terror that strikes us almost daily in our buses, hotels, and restaurants. Indeed, we have relentlessly stirred a cauldron of uncompromising hatred, which is gradually turning potential neighbours and partners into relentless foes. This futile war is unwinnable - eventually we will withdraw and the Palestinians will have their state….

We fight in Jenin and Ramallah, but our politicians insist that that we are fighting the just war for our homes. Our leaders tell us that we will forever have to live by the sword, and that where force has failed, more force will succeed. But it is clear that all our tanks and fighter aircraft cannot impose a military solution to the conflict.…

As a patriot it is my obligation to expose the confusion and say 'no' to the unjust war. I refuse to serve in the occupied territories. It is not only my democratic right to refuse, it is my duty. Ending the occupation and establishing secure, internationally recognized borders may not stop every terrorist attack, but will start the process of cooling the cauldron. It may not stop every military threat, but we will confront any threat with courage, conviction, and strong international support. This is the just war I stand ready to fight.

Our voice is growing louder every day. In January 54 reservists signed the initial "officers' letter" and today we number more than 412. We bring the message to our fellow citizens and American supporters that one can love Israel and yet criticize its misguided policies. We have seen the injustice and futility of the occupation with our own eyes, and refuse to participate any longer. We are articulating a different vision of Israel that draws from a proud Jewish and Zionist heritage. Refusal is not just saying NO; it is a patriotic way of saying YES to a secure, just, and prosperous State of Israel.