Refuseniks call on soldiers to refuse striking Gaza

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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3266470,00.html

Courage To Refuse conscientious objectors movement renews activity in wake of numerous killings of innocent Palestinians by IDF in recent weeks. 'We call on soldiers to refuse to bombard Gaza and carry out what are clearly illegal orders,' group says in statement

Yossi Yehoshua

The Courage to Refuse organization, which advocates soldiers' refusal to serve in the occupied territories, renewed its activity on Thursday in wake of the series of failed targeted killings carried out by the IDF in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of 31 innocent Palestinians, including 11 children.

In a statement published by the movement, its members call on soldiers to refuse taking part in strikes against Gaza.

"We, officers and combatants in the Israeli Defense Force, who have served for many years in different fronts and who lost friends in the war to defend the homeland… call on IDF soldiers and reservists, pilots, naval officers and gunners, to refuse firing at Gaza," the statement said.

"IDF attacks have already claimed the lives of dozens of innocent people, and obtained nothing but an increase in Qassam attacks and a rise in the hate against Israel. Bombarding the world's most populated area constitutes a war crime which goes against the IDF's spirit and undermines the country's security," it read.