Former Israel Defense Forces soldiers are touring the United States and speaking out against Israel’s policy in the territories, according to an internal Foreign Ministry report.
These ‘refuseniks’ are Israelis who have served in the IDF but disagree with the way the army operates in the West Bank and Gaza.
Sponsored by Jewish and Palestinian organizations, refuseniks representing “Shovrim Shtika” (Breakingthe Silence) and “Combatants for Peace” travel to different campuses and Jewish communities in the US, and give audiences their take on what goes on in the territories.
The “Union of Progressive Zionists” and “Brit Tzedek v’Shalom” (Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace) were among the Jewish organizations that are funding the refuseniks.
“The willingness of Jewish communities in the United States to host these organizations, and even sponsor them, is unfortunate. This is a phenomenon that must not be ignored,” the report said.
The report urged for action to be taken against the refuseniks and their organizations, saying “their negative effect on Israel’s image must by stopped”.
It also said that Jewish Americans’ support of the Israeli refuseniks has become a controversial issue amongst Jewish organizations.
The report was prepared in Los Angeles by Israeli Consul General Ehud Danoch and Consul for Media and Public Affairs Gilad Millo, and was sent to the Foreign Ministry and all of Israel’s representatives in North America.