Refuseniks and suicides

Chaim Feldman, Israeli reservist, has joined the list of soldiers who refuse to participate in the Palestinian operations.

In a letter to his local recruitment officer explaining his reasons for disobeying orders to join his unit in the West Bank, Chaim Feldman accused the Israeli army of committing manifestly criminal acts against innocent Palestinians.

"My letter to you is short and concise. I have no intention of wearing the uniform of this organisation known as the Israeli Defence Forces which fires artillery shells on civilian crowds, including children and old people. I see no reason why I should join this organisation."

The "conscientious objector" described the IDF as an organisation that defends "fascist settlers breaking the law and uprooting and burning olive trees".

Feldman is likely to be tried and imprisoned for disobeying orders and desertion.

Aljazeera article

I have seen articles on the increasing incidence of suicide amongst U.S. soldiers, and in particular those on active duty in the Middle East, but this is the first article I've come across about Israeli soldiers.

Quoting statistics from Israeli army's rehabilitation division, the Hebrew daily Maariv said, in 2003 the number of Israeli soldiers who committed suicide was significantly higher than those killed during military incursions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A total of 43 Israeli soldiers took their own lives last year compared to 30 soldiers killed in intifada-related hostilities, said the report.

This represents a 30% increase in the number of suicides over the 2002 figure of 31.

I'm keeping track of the names of these men who refuse to serve in what they see as illegal and/or immoral operations as I come across them, here on my webpage: Foreign soldiers of conscience, together with a list of American soldiers who have stood against the invasion of Iraq: Soldiers of conscience speak out.