Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center: newswire/18189

Comment on this article \| Email this Article
News :: Israel / Palestine
Update from Courage to Refuse	Current rating: 0
by Courage to Refuse via gehrig (No verified email address)	02 Jun 2004
Here's an email I got yesterday from Courage to Refuse, the organization of Israeli reservists refusing to be stationed in the West Bank or Gaza.
June 1st 2004 Dear CTR Supporter, I would like to give you a detailed account of our activities over the past few months, activities made possible with the help of your generous contribution. On March 22nd a missile was fired by an IDF helicopter at the vehicle transporting Sheik Ahmed Yassin, killing him on the spot. It became apparent that the Sharon government, unable to present any substantial achievement in controlling the Israeli Palestinian conflict, was planning to carry out extravagantly violent operations in the Gaza strip as a prelude to a unilateral withdrawal. The price of these operations would be hundreds of lives, both Israeli and Palestinian. We at CTR decided that the situation requires special measures. We set aside some long term projects we've been working on, and decided to concentrate all our resources on street presence: vigils and demonstrations. We turned to our supporters and asked for their help in financing our campaign. Hundreds answered our call, and donated over $20,000. An efficient communication network was established so that CTR would be able to organize demonstrations within few hours when the need arises. In the next months CTR led the peace camp in over ten separate rallies, and was often the only Israeli voice to be heard in protest of the IDF's activities in Gaza. The campaign was kicked off on Independence day, on which hundreds of signs were hung across Israel's roads and Highways. On May 2nd the Likud party members rejected Sharon's disengagement plan. On that very night CTR members demonstrated in front of Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv, warning against the waste of human lives that would be the inevitable result of our stay in Gaza. The activity was covered on Prime Time television, on Israeli channels 1,2 and 10. Sadly, our predictions came true when on May 11th 6 IDF soldiers were killed in an explosion in Gaza. Courage to Refuse demonstrated the day after at the Kissufim checkpoint demanding that the government return the troops to Israel, warning against the turning of Gaza in to a battlefield similar to south Lebanon. This event was also covered by Channels 1 and 2, as well as by Haaretz newspaper. The media, although not always supportive, seemed to appreciate our courage to speak against the occupation even at times of mourning. When 7 more soldiers were killed on that same, week many Israelis were ready to join our cries of distress. On may 15th a major rally was organized by the peace camp at Rabin square in favor of a retreat from Gaza. CTR invested great efforts in bringing the message of refusal to the thousands that crowded the square. When operation "Rainbow" was launched in Rafah CTR moved into high gear, holding 4 demonstrations in a period of two weeks. One of the demonstrations held in front of the Defense Ministry turned into a march of mourning that swept the streets of Tel Aviv. 8 Demonstrators were arrested that night, including CTR Founder and Chairman David Zonsheine. The Judge who ordered the release of the demonstrators criticized the police's behavior, and warned against silencing of public opinion by the law enforcement agents. The public pressure applied by CTR and our allies of the peace camp along with that of the international community finally paid off, when the operation was aborted and the Israeli troops withdrawn from Rafah. Altogether, 13 Israeli soldiers, 5 Israeli civilians and over 50 Palestenians were killed in Gaza the past month. The Israeli public rewarded CTR for its persistence, and showed a growing support in the movement. A dozen more reserve soldiers signed the Combatants' Letter. A fresh wind of support came from an unpredictable direction when Attorney General Mazuz expressed himself in favor of conscientious objection. Finally, the Israeli public is recognizing the fact that in order to stop the corruption of the Israeli Democracy, we must refuse to take part in the occupation. I want to thank you, on behalf of the members of CTR, for making all these activities possible. Looking Ahead CTR Members are more determined than ever to spread our message: In order to save Israel, we must refuse to take part in maintaining the occupation. In the next few months, CTR will be leading the following projects: • Testimonies Project - The Testimonies Project consists of opening a channel for soldiers who have served in the territories to share their experiences. As seen in the case of the war in Iraq, soldiers' testimonies may change the way Israelis see the occupation. • Newsletter – Staring June 2004, we will be producing and broadcasting a Courage to Refuse email newsletter to our target public, on a monthly basis. The newsletter will actually be produced in two languages, a Hebrew edition for the Israeli public, and an English version for our supporters abroad. • Expansion of CTR - 613 reserve soldiers have already declared their refusal to serve beyond the 67 borders. Soon, CTR will be open its ranks to conscripts in active service. In addition, we aim to transform CTR into a civil movement and welcome thousands of Israeli citizens to our group. • Public Activities - CTR will continue holding demonstrations both in Israel and the territories and lead the peace activists of Israel in our efforts against the occupation. Thank you for being a part of our struggle. With your help, we will end the occupation! Sincerely, Arik Diamant Director - Courage to Refuse arik (at) couragetorefuse.org --- @%<
See also: http://seruv.org.il/english/default.asp
Copyright by the author. All rights reserved.