Hundreds of Israeli soldiers, called up to take part in controversial campaigns like the 1982 invasion of Lebanon or policing duties in the Palestinian territories today, have refused orders. Many of these 'refuseniks' have faced prison sentences rather than take part in what they regard as an unjust occupation in defence of illegal Jewish settlements.
In this inspirational book, Peretz Kidron, himself a refusenik, gives us the stories, experiences, viewpoints, even poetry, of these courageous conscripts who believe in their country, but not in its actions beyond its borders.
We read about the cautious, even embarrassed, response of the authorities. And we see the wider implications of the philosophy of selective refusal - which is not the same thing as pacifism -- for conscientious citizens in every country where conscription still exists. Here is a real model for the peace movement in Israel and worldwide.
Industry Reviews
'Our greatest admiration must go to those brave Israeli soldiers who refuse to serve beyond the 1967 borders?. These soldiers, who are Jews, take seriously the principle put forward at the Nuremberg trials in 1945-46: namely, that a soldier is not obliged to obey unjust orders - indeed, one has an obligation to disobey them.'
Susan Sontag, novelist, essayist and playwright
'Resistance to crimes of state, and refusal to participate in them, has been and remains one of the most significant achievements of people of decency and courage throughout history. The Israelis who have undertaken this honorable course merit the greatest admiration and respect. Their testimonies are a memorable contribution to this noble cause.'
Noam Chomsky
'This collection of statements from soldiers who joined Yesh Gvul... should give pause for thought to all those diaspora Jews who preoccupy themselves with looking for 'balance' and 'even-handedness' in media reporting of events in the territories, rather than facing up to the devastating moral erosion that 37 years of occupation has wreaked on Israel's citizen army... It was once said of people who lived near concentration camps but claimed no knowledge of what went on inside, that those who didn't know, didn't want to know. Jews who still try to defend retention of the West Bank are in a similar category.'
David J. Goldberg, The Jewish Chronicle
