Israeli soldiers refused Lebanon duty

Although early reports from Israel from the government and pro-government media insisted that there was overwhelming support from the Jewish population for the invasion of Lebanon, the Israeli organizations New Profile and Yesh Gvul report that many soldiers and reservists in the Israeli Army have avoided service in Lebanon and hundreds have said they would refuse. At least 10 of those who refused have been sentenced to jail time, most of them to 28 days in military prison.

In the most publicized cases, Israeli soldiers and officers have stated their opposition to the war on moral and political grounds. For example, Capt. Amir Pasteur, an infantry officer and student at Tel Aviv University, said at his trial that “taking part in this war runs contrary to the values upon which I was brought up.”

Sgt. Itzik Shabbat, explained on July 19, “In my opinion only by refusing to participate in this war can we bring this madness to an end and also prepare to end the false representation that the entire home front supports this unnecessary war, which is being carried out under false pretenses.”

According to the Israeli anti-war groups, which were able to hold some demonstrations in the thousands and many smaller ones during the Lebanon offensive, along with the dozen or so outspoken soldiers who challenged the war plans there were over 100 troops who avoided service on medical and physical grounds or who simply left the country.

—John Catalinotto