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Refuseniks: Anomaly or Growing Crisis? Dave Eberhart, NewsMaxThe mini-revolt in the reserve ranks of the Israeli army began in earnest last January when 52 Israeli reserve soldiers declared they would no longer fight in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, claiming the then relatively modest maneuvers had less to do with Israeli security than with bullying the Palestinians. This week as Israeli occupation forces roam throughout the Palestinian territories, the so-called "refuseniks” have grown to a vocal 400. "The mobilization of reservists for a new reoccupation of the territories is not an operation destined to defend the interests and borders of Israel and we won’t take part,” announced an ad run by the refuseniks this week in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. "The Israeli government has unleashed a destructive operation whose magnitude and consequences are difficult to estimate. It’s a fool’s war conducted by an administration that prefers to bury its head in the sand and drag the Israeli army through the mud of the territories,” the ad said. "We will not continue to fight beyond the Green Line [separating Israel from the West Bank and Gaza Strip] with the aim of pressing, expelling, starving and humiliating an entire people,” the group proclaimed. "I am willing to serve in any war whose objective is the defense of Israel, but in no circumstances am I willing to take part in any activity that causes suffering and victims to both the Israeli and Palestinian nations,” a corporal who refused his call-up told Haaretz. Minority in the Ranks But Israeli military authorities quickly point out that the refuseniks represent a distinct minority in the ranks, claiming 90 percent or more of the reservists called have reported for duty in the past few days. Twenty thousand reservists were called up for active duty last week Additionally, the authorities note, the impressive showing came about despite the short notice that has greeted the tens-of-thousands of recalled reservists. According to an account in the Jordan Times, many harried reservists reported for duty in their cars, creating large lots of parked cars near the boundaries of the West Bank. Historically such protests by Israeli soldiers have been rare. There were spotty instances of soldiers refusing to serve during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon and during the Palestinian uprising against Israel in 1987-1993. All Israeli men do three years of mandatory military service, and then must report for reserve duty for about 30 days each year -- until the age of 40. Poll Showed Support A poll conducted for Israeli radio last February said 31 percent of Israelis supported the initial group of protesting soldiers. And the political significance of the turmoil in the ranks has not been lost on the Israeli leadership. Prime minister Ariel Sharon said that if soldiers did not carry out the decisions of an elected government, it would be the beginning of the end of democracy. The army’s Chief of Staff, Shaul Mofaz, went on record early on promising disciplinary action against any who refuse to serve. But so far significant charges such as incitement to rebellion have not been leveled. According to reports, enlisted refuseniks are serving terms of about thirty days in the military stockade. Protesting officers have faced suspensions and investigations. And not all the vocalizations and newspaper ads are from the refuseniks. Countering adds from those willing and anxious to serve have appeared. Recently, an Israeli army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Rafinovich, told the BBC that the majority of serving soldiers did not support the protests. Maj. Gen. Uzi Dayan, the head of Israel’s National Security Council, told Israeli TV that the protests concerned him and represented something of a dilemma in a free country. "We have to allow these discussions, but I say that it shouldn’t be expressed in a refusal to serve.” Draft Dodgers Rufuseniks are not the only element potentially eroding the legendary Israeli citizen-soldier. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, 22 percent of all Israeli males eligible for the draft (at age 18 for three years of service) are granted exemptions -- an increase from 12 percent 20 years ago. Furthermore, the IDF reports that only one-third of all men eligible for reserve duty completes such duty. During the first six months of the current intifada, the number of reservists filing requests to defer their tour of duty doubled. The majority of those finding reasons not to serve voice no philosophical objections. However, some in the anti-occupation ranks point hopefully to what they interpret as a tacit rejection of Israeli policy.
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