One YEAR

Israeli soldiers refusing to serve within “the occupied territories” have been given one-year prison sentences. I don’t know whether I agree or disagree with Israel’s policy on the “occupation”. I simply don’t have enough knowledge to make that conviction one way or the other. Never-the-less I am impressed with these soldiers. Some people may see them as naïve. Perhaps they are, but for me they are evidence that democratic conscientiousness and Talmudic principles still have a place in Israel.

MY FELLOW MAN:
“I may not withhold from him, or permit others to withhold any of the reverence, solicitude, and freedom I claim for myself.”

In a special way these soldiers remind me of the “Vietnam veterans against the war” although there my political convictions with regard to “right and wrong” were firmly in camp with the protestors. This time I just don’t know.

I wonder how these Israeli soldiers will be treated in prison. I wonder what the conditions in an Israel prison would be like. I would really like to write to them, ask them how their time is spent and to give them some support. How would I go about doing that do you think? Where should I turn? Who should I ask? Any ideas?

Shalom,
Hametz

[doron]

I just want to remind you that vietnam was far away from the United State and the Vietnamiti were not carring any terrorist attaks against U.S.A. civilians. These are small divergences, but sigificants.

It has nothing to do with the sympathy that I feel for the soldiers. They are all young boys on an un-chartered journey.

[EJToner]

I sympathize with them, and admire them, but I must say they would have recieved the same or harsher sentences from the US Army.