P.O.Box 46081, London W9 2ZF jfjfp@jfjfp.org
Resources for debates
W: The Refuseniks
Financial support for Refuseniks needed urgently
The Keren Yesh Gvul, the fund to give support to Refuseniks, have promised money to all but are having severe problems keeping to this. There are now Refuseniks from the elite units, pilots and the paras, who are older and have families to support and who are in greater need. More money is desperately needed and this is a practical way those of us who live more comfortably in the UK can offer very real and concrete assistance.
Reservist refusers don't receive the IDF salary compensation for lost income. Many of them have a family to maintain. With an increasing number of refusers, the Keren Yesh Gvul (specific fund for compensations) is emptying rapidly. If you want the refuseniks to continue to receive at least some support in the future, please send a cheque made out to 'Israeli Refuseniks' to us at P.O.Box 46081, London W9 2ZF.
We will consolidate all sums received and make a single transfer to Yesh Gvul thus minimising exchange and banks charges which can be very high, especially on small sums.
1. For the current situation among the Refusniks see what you can do.
For an overview of the solidarity movement see the Refuser Solidarity Network presentation of their work.
To act now or to find the latest news and campaigns visit the Refuser Solidarity Network, 'a web portal to unite international supporters of Israeli Refusers'
2. Refusenik websites:The Refuser Solidarity Network, 'a web portal to unite international supporters of Israeli Refusers'
The Courage to Refuse site - with their Combatant's Letter of refusal
The Shministim (the Seniors) site
The Yesh Gvul (There is a Border) site
Breaking the Silence - Soldiers speak out about Hebron
An exhibition of soldiers' testimonies of routine activities took place in June 2004 in Tel Aviv; the group who put it togther continue to campaign: contact Yehuda Shaul.3. Follow these links for statements by various resisters:
f) Materials on the Breaking the Silence exhibition:
Yitzhak Laor In Hebron
The soldiers' own written testimonies
Transcript of the exhibition videoe) 27 pilots refuse to fly targetted assassination missions statement of 24 September 2003
(See also Uri Avnery The Magnificent 27 and David Grossman Listen to the pilots on the lessons israelis should draw from the pilots' protest.)e) Matan Kaminer's statement of 8th December 2002
c) Haggai Matar's statement of 23rd October 2002 as he was about to be imprisoned
b) Shani Werner's biting comments on the male chauvinism of the Refusenik movement
a) Guardian feature on Refusenik Jonathan "Yoni" Ben-Artzi, Benyamin Netanyahu's nephew
4. Speech in appreciation of Yesh GvulSusan Sontag
Adapted from Susan Sontag's speech on 30 March 2003 at the presentation of the Rothko Chapel Oscar Romero Award to Ishai Menuchin, chairman of Yesh Gvul.
4. Related linksa) Amnesty International's condemnation of Israel's treatment of conscientious objectors , December 2002
b) The War Resisters' International's report on conscientious objection in Israel to the UN Committee on Human Rights, February 2003 and the statement of their Executive Committee on court-martials in Israel.
In addition, 15 May is International Conscientious Objectors' Day. It is focussed this year on Israeli refuseniks and nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation
