Soldiers' mutiny raises concern in Israel

[Swede]

In an incident on Monday played down by the military as an aberration and described by some political commentators as a crossing of a red line, a handful of soldiers protested against the partial dismantling of a settler-outpost in the West Bank.

Their action prompted 15 right-wing legislators in the 120-member parliament to propose a bill that would bar the military from forcing troops to remove Jews from settlements in the occupied territory

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5AG2KU20091117

[Scurrilous]

1. IDF to hesder yeshivas: Take action or else

Army's Personnel Directorate head Avi Zamir gives Hesder Yeshivas Union one week to openly denounce disobedience in military, following two incidents in which soldiers carried signs against settlement evacuation. If union fails to do so, military may call off agreement with yeshivas

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3807020,00.html

<snip>

"Two anti "expulsion signs", highly publicized conference in support of the "faithful soldiers" and a tailwind from the rabbis, have all pushed the IDF too far, and the highest ranks of the military are now speaking out in favor of canceling the agreement with the yeshivas which combine advances religious studies with military service.

Ynet has learned that in talks between Major General Avi Zamir, head of the IDF's Personnel Directorate and the rabbis of the Hesder Yeshivas Union, Zamir gave an ultimatum, saying if they do not take more comprehensive and outward action against the disobedience in the Kfir Brigade by next week, the military will realize its threats, and begin canceling the existing agreement with the yeshivas. Zamir demanded "clear answers."

After receiving the sharp message, the union decided to summon the relevant yeshiva heads whose students carried the signs in protest of the evacuation of illegal structures in settlements. The heads were called for a hearing, during which they will be required to denounce their students' actions and express their objection to any political demonstration by soldiers in uniform.

Following the conversation, which took place on Tuesday, a letter was sent Wednesday from Zamir's office to the union's administration, which was defined as "blunt and cannot be misunderstood." In addition, a meeting was set for next Thursday between the five rabbis on the board of the union and Zamir, where he will demand they denounce the insubordination."

[Ken Burch]

2. And those 15 right-wing MK's (Knesset members)also probably favor throwing the book

at soldiers who refuse to help OPPRESS Palestinians.

[IndianaGreen]

3. The problem is that even if Israel wanted to remove the settlements

it could not do without plunging the country into a civil war. A civil war, boys and girls, is the last thing any rational person would wish on any country!

[Ken Burch]

4. Nothin' like them "Facts On The Ground"

:eyes:

[ProgressiveMuslim]

9. I see 3 options: forcing 2 states, leading to civil war. Status quo with increasing apartheid-like

laws. One state with full rights for all citizens.

I can surely see why that third option is such a nightmare (not).

[Scurrilous]

5. 'Kfir doesn't expel Jews'

Third display of insubordination involving Kfir Brigade troops: Commander discovers sign bearing anti-evacuation slogan 'Kfir doesn't expel Jews' at training base Thursday afternoon

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3807983,00.html

<snip>

"Another display of insubordination: A third sign bearing a slogan objecting to settlement evacuation was discovered Thursday in an IDF base.

The sign was found at the training base of the Kfir Brigade, where two other previous cases of insubordination took place recently.

The latest sign, bearing the caption "Kfir doesn't expel Jews" was found by a commander as it was drying up, apparently a short time after it was prepared. Only a few soldiers were at the base when the sign was found, but authorities do not know yet who is responsible for the act.

Military officials said they are looking into the identity of the soldiers involved in making the sign, and also into the venue it was intended for. The army said it views the act as a grave matter."

[oberliner]

6. The IDF are the good guys in this story?

Nice change of pace for you!

[Ken Burch]

7. It's a change of pace for reality

Those troops haven't been the good guys very often since 1967. The refuseniks are the only ones showing morality. The ones who cooperate in administering the Occupation or helping build settlements or destroying the olive groves have permanently mortgaged their humanity. None of those things are necessary for Israel's survival. All of them actually endanger it.

[Violet_Crumble]

8. Scurry clearly doesn't share yr simplistic, black & white view of the conflict....

Nowhere has Scurrilous labelled the IDF good guys or bad guys, and unlike you, I actually welcome input from people who can actually view the conflict in a rational way where people aren't expected to do nothing but talk up the 'side' they're thinking they're supporting...