Israel: Libanonkriegsverweigerer im Gefängnis

Mindestens drei israelische Soldaten, die sich dem israelischen Krieg im Libanon verweigern sind im Gefängnis. Es wird damit gerechnet, dass weitere Reservisten verweigern werden. Die War Resisters' International bittet um Protestbriefe an israelische Regierungstellen und israelische Botschaften.

Israel: Lebanon war resisters in prison

War Resisters' International is presently aware of three Israeli soldiers imprisoned for refusing to take part in the war in Lebanon. According to Yesh Gvul, several more reservists might refuse in the near future.

First Sergeant Omri Zeid (ISR14797), an artilleryman from Tzfat, refused to shell Mjadara, a Lebanese village. Zeid, serving in an artillery battery in the North Golan Heights, was ordered to shoot 150 shells at the village. Zeid took up his backpack and told his fellow soldiers "I am not willing to be part of an army which shoots on women and children", whereupon he departed. He did so one day before his discharge [from the annual one-month active service term]. According to media reports, Zeid is not being tried for his refusal, and was officially discharged one day later, as scheduled (Ma'ariv, 2 August 2006).

Captain Amir Pastar (ISR14798) had been called up recently to join the fighting in Lebanon. Last Sunday, he declared that he refuses to take part in this war. He was sentenced to 28 days in military prison. Amir Pastar stated that "participating in the war contradicts the values I was brought up upon". He prefers to serve time in prison rather than act against his conscience. Amir Pastar should be due out around 26 August 2006.

Amir is not involved in organisations concerned either with social issues or refusal. He arrived at his decision to refuse only Saturday evening, when participating in a demonstration called for by women-against-the-war. Because he is not a member of a support group, it is especially important to send him messages of solidarity and support.

Please write your messages of support to:

Amir Paster (Military ID 5103057)
Prison 6
Military Post 01860
IDF, Israel

Staff Sergeant Itzik Shabbat (ISR14799) is considered the first objector to the war in Lebanon. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported his case on 19 July 2006. Shabbat was ordered to report for reserve duty in the territories on 19 July 2006, which he refused to do. However, it is unclear from the report in Ha'aretz whether he reported to his unit or not, and what happened to him afterwards. Itzik Shabbat declared: "I know people will attack me and ask how could I not take part in this war when Qassams are falling on my hometown and Katyushas on the towns in the north," he told Haaretz. "In my opinion, only this type of opposition that I've chosen will put an end to the madness that is going on now and will shatter the false feeling that the entire home front supports this unnecessary war that is based on deceptive considerations."

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the Israeli authorities, and Israeli embassies abroad. An email letter can be sent at http://www.wri-irg.org/co/alerts/20060802a.html.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of conscientious objector Amir Pastar, and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International
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