Jan 25 2002
From Gila Svirsky,
(An Ariga Correspondent)
Yes, there's definitely growing criticism inside Israel of Sharon's
policies. More and more Israelis are beginning to say that his iron fist
approach is only provoking violent responses by the Palestinians. The
buzz in Israel all week was whether or not some of Israel's actions -- the
demolition of homes or assassinations, for instance -- constituted war
crimes or not. This 'war crimes' talk, in which the Gush Shalom movement
took the lead, infiltrated much of the media last week. And this
weekend's Ha'aretz carries a report of the lost credibility of the
official Israeli army spokesman.
Let me not overstate the critique, but it is beginning. In my opinion,
there are two main reasons for this. The first was the brutal demolition
of homes in the Gaza Strip, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.
Israel's claim that "no one lived in these homes" was drowned out by the
photos, journalistic reports, Red Cross aid, UN statements, and reports of
all the human rights agencies, including Israel's trustworthy B'Tselem.
The second disheartening event to Israelis was an assassination of a
Palestinian by the Israeli army, which shattered almost a month of
ceasefire. Whether this was a deliberate act to destroy the ceasefire
(and thereby avoid negotiating for peace) or not, no one could deny that
the effect was renewed terrorism inside Israel, including deadly
spray-shootings on the streets of Hadera and Jerusalem. Even our Deputy
Defense Minister (Dalia Rabin Pilosoff) characterized the assassination as
"bad timing".
And so, Israeli citizens -- even those who believe that an iron fist is
the only way to deal with Palestinians -- are beginning to wonder if
Sharon has acted well or wisely to protect Israeli civilians. In a sense,
having Ariel Sharon as prime minister also has a positive aspect -- it
gives clarity to the issues. Either one supports Sharon (occupation and
repression), or one supports efforts to make peace. The two are not
compatible.
Many Israeli peace organizations have never stopped explaining that
occupation and peace are not compatible, and have relentlessly kept up
their day-to-day protests, vigils, tree-plantings, home rebuildings,
checkpoint monitoring, blockade dismantling, etc., etc. The Coalition of
Women for a Just Peace has been able to create mass rallies for peace on
several occasions. But recently, we are seeing more in the media and even
on the streets. A broad spectrum of peace organizations is planning a
huge rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday, February 2nd, at the tel Aviv Museum (See below)
But I saved the most significant for last: In today's Ha'aretz newspaper,
a large ad signed by 53 combat soldiers and officers in the Israeli army,
announces, "We hereby declare that we shall continue to serve the Israel
Defense Forces in any mission that serves the defense of the State of
Israel. The mission of occupation and repression does not serve this
goal - and we refuse to participate in it." (Full text follows.)
This is an unprecedented call by Israeli soldiers to other Israeli
soldiers not to serve in the army of occupation. It is an incredibly
courageous act for soldiers to announce that they will no longer continue
fighting in the territories "for the purposes of domination, expulsion,
starvation, and humiliation of an entire people." This is a very powerful
statement for soldiers still on active duty, and in the rich moral
tradition of Yesh Gvul and New Profile (two organizations that have
consistently advocated this position), but in unprecedented numbers. The
media have flooded them with interviews all day. May their numbers
multiply. I will keep you informed.
With more hope,
Gila Svirsky
Jerusalem
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