Some Israeli soldiers refuse to keep fighting in Gaza

[endgenocide]

Source: AP

Yotam Vilk says the image of Israeli soldiers killing an unarmed Palestinian teenager in the Gaza Strip is seared in his mind.

An officer in the armored corps, Vilk said the instructions were to shoot any unauthorized person who entered an Israeli-controlled buffer zone in Gaza. He saw at least 12 people killed, he said, but it is the shooting of the teen that he can’t shake.

“He died as part of a bigger story. As part of the policy of staying there and not seeing Palestinians as people,” Vilk, 28, told The Associated Press. Vilk is among a growing number of Israeli soldiers speaking out against the 15-month conflict and refusing to serve anymore, saying they saw or did things that crossed ethical lines. While the movement is small — some 200 soldiers signed a letter saying they’d stop fighting if the government didn’t secure a ceasefire — soldiers say it’s the tip of the iceberg and they want others to come forward.

Their refusal comes at a time of mounting pressure on Israel and Hamas to wind down the fighting. Ceasefire talks are underway, and both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have called for a deal by the Jan. 20 inauguration.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/soldiers-israel-gaza-hostages-717c44de6c13e2b3af2e8b7fb77ebb16

[walkingman]

1. The lifelong trauma that war creates should never be underestimated. Those in power

are immune to it's nastiness but the effects will destroy lives of those who were just pawns in the game.

[tirebiter]

2. IDF used to be more like this, generally.

[mountain grammy]

3. Thank goodness

[C0RI0LANUS]

4. Just as American soldiers would eventually speak out against war.

Israeli protesters demonstrate outside the Israeli army’s headquarters in Tel Aviv, calling for a ceasefire in the war on Gaza, 28 Oct 2023. (Photo: Oren Ziv)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1134142440


Protests in 2003:

https://libcom.org/article/israeli-pilots-refuse-fly-assassination-missions-2003

IDF pilots protesting Netanyahu's judicial "reforms:"

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64866873