Why these Israelis are refusing to serve in Gaza

More than 50 Israeli reservists have explained why they will refuse to serve in the military, in the wake of the IDF's latest assault in Gaza.

In an open letter published in the Washington Post, they explain:

By law, some of us are still registered as part of the reserved forces (others have managed to win exemptions or have been granted them upon their release), and the military keeps our names and personal information, as well as the legal option to order us to “service.” But we will not participate — in any way.

Here are their reasons why:

We revile the current military operation.

The current military operation and the way militarization affects Israeli society are inseparable.

"In Israel, war is not merely politics by other means — it replaces politics."

We rue the militarisation of Israel and the army’s discriminatory policies.

"One example is the way women are often relegated to low-ranking secretarial positions."

The Israeli Army, a fundamental part of Israelis’ lives, is also the power that rules over the Palestinians living in the territories occupied in 1967.

"As long as it exists in its current structure, its language and mindset control us."

If there is a reason to oppose combat operations in Gaza, there is also a reason to oppose the Israeli military apparatus as a whole.

Their petition can be found here.

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