(en) ISRAEL: Conscientious objection against the occupation*

This letter was signed by 70 young men and sent it to the Prime Minister of Israel: ---- 
We, the people of the state of Israel, we intended to military service. ---- We invite 
readers of this letter to put aside what they have always taken for granted, and to 
reconsider the implications of military service. ---- We, the undersigned below, we intend 
to refuse military service, and the main reason for our opposition to the military 
occupation of the Palestinian territories. Palestinians in the occupied territories live 
under Israeli rule, even though they are not elected and have no legal recourse to 
influence the regime or decision-making processes. It is neither egalitarian nor simple. 
In this region, the violation of human rights as defined by international law as war 
crimes and repeated daily. These include assassinations (extrajudicial killings), the 
construction of settlements in the occupied countries, administrative arrests, torture, 
collective punishment and unequal distribution of resources, such as water and 
electricity. Any form of military service reinforces the status quo, and therefore, 
according to our conscience, we can not be part of the system to which the above-mentioned 
offenses.

The problem with the military does not start and end with the damage caused by Palestinian 
society. It infiltrates the daily life of Israeli society also: shaping the educational 
system, our work opportunities, and promotes racism, violence and ethnic, national and 
gender discrimination.

We refuse to help the military system of promotion and constant repetition of male 
dominance. In our opinion, the Army encourages violent and militaristic ideal where "might 
is right". This ideal is harmful to everyone, especially for those who do not fit into it. 
Furthermore, we oppose oppressive, discriminatory and gender structure of power within the 
military itself.

We refuse to give up their principles as a condition to be accepted in society. We thought 
about our profound rejection and we stand behind our decisions.

We invite our colleagues, those who are currently serving the military and / or in the 
reserves, and the Israeli public to reconsider its stance on the occupation army and the 
role of the military in civil society. We believe in the power and ability of civilians to 
change reality for the better, creating a more just society. Our refusal to express this 
belief.
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* Copied from Serbian anarchists blog http://bit.ly/OsO0pt