Breaking Ranks: Refusing to Serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

Rating:
Summary: Distortion of facts
Review: Consider this: In anticipation of a peace agreement with the Palestinians or as a goodwill gesture ahead of negotiations, the Israeli government decides to dismantle Jewish outposts and/or settlements in the West Bank. Rabbis - spiritual leaders of the Yesha Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip - issue rulings, based on Jewish traditions and law, stating that it is blatantly immoral to dismantle any Jewish settlements on land that was granted by Divine Accord to the Jewish People. Religious soldiers, called upon by their commanders to demolish mobile homes and evacuate protesting youths, heed their rabbis' instructions and refuse these orders, stating openly that their refusal to act is moral. "We cannot obey, for this is a crime," they declare.

The above scenario quite possibly will be played out in the near future. It is likely that an organized right-wing religious "refusenik" movement will rise to counter a similar movement called Courage to Refuse - Israeli soldiers who refuse to serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In January 2002, 52 IDF soldiers and officers published a letter calling upon their comrades to refuse service in these "occupied territories" because of the army's "brutal acts of repression" against the Palestinian population. As of this writing, 542 soldiers have signed this document, yet their cause has been marginalized in an Israeli society struggling with a seemingly endless battle against Palestinian terrorism.

On December 30, 2002, Israel's High Court of Justice ruled that reservists in the IDF did not have the right to refuse their orders to serve in the West Bank and Gaza. The court determined that recognizing selective conscientious objection would turn the IDF "into an army with every unit having its own conscience, which will determine how it can operate."

Many of the refusenik soldiers were sent to prison, but others were offered alternative military duties. It is not yet clear how the court, and the army, would relate to religious soldiers who refuse to obey orders to dismantle outposts and settlements.

It is hard to read Ronit Chacham's book, "Breaking Ranks: Refusing to Serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip," with any sense of objectivity, for the author is far from objective in her conversations with nine "refuseniks." And it is hard to comment on the author's writing without criticizing the refusenik movement as well.

What is particularly disconcerting is the author's one-sided account of events, which clearly relates that Israel is, and has constantly been, the party responsible for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Blatant examples, according to the author, include:

** Suicide bombings are "retaliatory";
** There is no such thing as Palestinian incitement, rather the Israeli education system has failed;
** Hamas and Islamic Jihad are "resistance" movements;
** The Intifada was a direct result of Ariel Sharon's "provocative" visit to the al-Aqsa mosque; and
** IDF elite units such as Duvdevan are actually killing squads.

Particularly disturbing was the author's comment that "the assumption held by most of the refuseniks and most Israelis is that Jewish dwellings within the borders internationally agreed upon in 1948 are legitimate." Most? Is the author hinting that there are elements within the refusenik community and Israeli society at large that don't consider the State of Israel a legitimate entity?

The reservist soldiers interviewed in the book come across as articulate, thoughtful, well-meaning Zionists. Yes, they are most definitely Zionists. These young men could easily have fled the disturbing things they saw in the "occupied territories" but instead chose to remain in Israel and fight for a better society. But the question remains - are their acts of refusal doing anything towards achieving what they see as the most pressing item on Israel's agenda - ending the occupation?

Should the voices of refuseniks be heard? Probably. But, these well-meaning, but misguided individuals should be advised that "military disobedience" is not the path to pursue and authors who present their case should take care to avoid distorting the facts.

Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: This book has catapultited me into a new level of consciousness!
I have been waiting for a book to educate me on this topic and not only have I been educated, but moved to look into activism on this issue. I am neither Jewish nor very knowledgeable in politics. This book is right to the point and I found myself totally engrossed. The men in this book are awesome and I am proud to walk the planet with them. They are educated, brave, compassionate and passionate. I hope that you not only read Breaking Ranks, but go to the website afterwards and become involved in some way.

Rating:
Summary: Courage to Refuse
Review: Thought provoking essays that explore the conscience and consciousness of each 'refusenik's soul searching, and their journey to refusal. To date 550 IDF soldiers have either refused, or pledged to refuse serving in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. That is a huge number!

The stories these soldiers tell, will often give you a glimpse into both Israeli and Palestinian society, showing how people's perception are shaped, and mindsets nearly paralyzed by governments and leaders ( on both sides ) that have cultivated only fear and hate over the years, why it must end, and how.

The author throws out tough questions to them, challenging both their patriotic duty and moral convictions. I feel they answer with great clarity and conviction. All the men in this book are well educated, and articulate. All have served in the occupied territories at one point or another, and have either committed or witnessed first hand, lets call them brutalities. They all are deeply devoted to Israeli society and believe that "the best way to serve their society is not to perpetuate its injustices"

There are some stark warnings to heed in this book. Many times American dogma and mindset after 9-11 and the 'War on Terror' is cited as an analogy to give reference to the phenomenon of jingoistic thinking taking place.

This book was written before the recent refusal of 27 Israeli pilots who refused to take part in targeted assassinations, claiming that they resulted in civilan deaths, and that "the black flag of illegality is waving."

Do not think for a moment that the decision to refuse came easily for these men. It did not. Many will tell you it took years to shake off the deeply entrenched mindset that has gripped Israeli society, and is always being fed by a media that is one sided, and a government that is short-sighted.

Whether you agree with these soldiers or not, every American should read this book, because by virtue of our American citizenship alone, makes all of us a part in this struggle, whether we want to be or not. The time is now to truly understand the issues as they exist today, and reevaluate what America's moral role ought to be.

Rating:
Summary: Courage to Refuse
Review: Thought provoking essays that explore the conscience and consciousness of each `refusenik's soul searching, and their journey to refusal. To date 550 IDF soldiers have either refused, or pledged to refuse serving in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. That is a huge number!

The stories these soldiers tell, will often give you a glimpse into both Israeli and Palestinian society, showing how people's perception are shaped, and mindsets nearly paralyzed by governments and leaders ( on both sides ) that have cultivated only fear and hate over the years, why it must end, and how.

The author throws out tough questions to them, challenging both their patriotic duty and moral convictions. I feel they answer with great clarity and conviction. All the men in this book are well educated, and articulate. All have served in the occupied territories at one point or another, and have either committed or witnessed first hand, lets call them brutalities. They all are deeply devoted to Israeli society and believe that "the best way to serve their society is not to perpetuate its injustices"

There are some stark warnings to heed in this book. Many times American dogma and mindset after 9-11 and the `War on Terror' is cited as an analogy to give reference to the phenomenon of jingoistic thinking taking place.

This book was written before the recent refusal of 27 Israeli pilots who refused to take part in targeted assassinations, claiming that they resulted in civilan deaths, and that "the black flag of illegality is waving."

Do not think for a moment that the decision to refuse came easily for these men. It did not. Many will tell you it took years to shake off the deeply entrenched mindset that has gripped Israeli society, and is always being fed by a media that is one sided, and a government that is short-sighted.

Whether you agree with these soldiers or not, every American should read this book, because by virtue of our American citizenship alone, makes all of us a part in this struggle, whether we want to be or not. The time is now to truly understand the issues as they exist today, and reevaluate what America's moral role ought to be.