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Yael Mishali

We still have hope

Yael Mishali proud of rightist refuseniks in army despite holding different political views

I was overcome by an unrestrained sense of joy after seeing a group of soldiers holding up ideologically motivated signs. Signs like "Shimshon will not evacuate Homesh" and "Nachshon won't evacuate either" are a great form of Prozac at a time where all we hear about youngsters in Israel starts and ends with alcohol, drugs, and murder.

 

You can go ahead and refer to them as refuseniks, condemn them, roll your eyes, and threaten us with the upcoming destruction of the IDF, the State, and the nation; I will continue to be pleased with their acts, seek comfort in their character, and count on them.

 

Perhaps you think that you will be safer with the soldiers who abused younger troops in line with the armored corps tradition, or with commanders who beat up annoying soldiers in Golani. Perhaps you would do well to count on them, because they are loyal to the IDF spirit and its glorious traditions. Yet I will continue to bet on the rightist refuseniks. When we hear the alarm, I want to be at the place they will be defending.

 

I've always supported insubordination, both on the Left and the Right. There is something about the young refuseniks which is precisely what I'm hoping for among our young generation. Something that thinks, hesitates, chooses, decides, shows courage, and pays the price. I just can't see how we can have it any other way.

 

Wouldn't you want to hear about one armored corps soldier holding up a sign reading "Regiment 74 refuses to abuse?" Wouldn't you want to see that soldier who shot a Palestinian in the foot, just because he thought that's what his battalion commander wanted, hold up a sign reading "Regiment 71 doesn't shoot people for the hell of it"? Wouldn't you want to see people saying they refuse to beat up someone for no reason, or do drugs or drink alcohol?

 

I would, and this is what I told my sons before the joined the army. "It's more important to know when to refuse than when to comply with orders." I prayed that they will be able to withstand those tests during their military service.

 

We need more refuseniks

We have no shortage of obedient troops in the IDF. Indifference is also not a very rare commodity in the army, not to mention the silence of those who collaborate with injustice. What we truly lack among our recruits is those refuseniks. People who know they will be paying a heavy price for their decision to speak up against something or something, but are doing it nonetheless.

 

And what will happen to the army and the State, you ask? There's no reason to worry. Don't believe the retired generals, who are being called up to safeguard the establishment, the hierarchal tradition, and their automatic "no choice." There is a choice. Look into it and take it into account. The army needs to rejuvenate its procedures.

 

And what shall happen should all hesder yeshiva and religious troops rebel? Well, that would be an important day in the history of the State and its army. This is the kind of State and army I want, where refusing orders on grounds of conscience or ideology is part of the army's values.

 

Indeed, the refuseniks on the Right do not represent my political views. They endorse the exact opposite in fact. However, as I watch them, wholly enlisted in favor of a national cause that is important in their view, I'm filled with pride. We still have hope.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.25.09, 12:05
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