Israel: 'Refuseniks' say they won't attack civilians [View All]

Israel: 'Refuseniks' say they won't attack civilians

By: IRIN News
Published: Aug 9, 2006 at 08:53


Called up to serve in the conflict against Hezbollah, reserve soldier Israeli Tom Mehagel decided he couldn't fight.

"I don't believe that Hezbollah has any goal but destroying Israel," the artillery staff sergeant told IRIN. "But we shouldn't use our force against civilians."

Mehagel is one of a small group of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reservists who have refused to fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon because they don't think it is right. Soldiers in Israel who refuse to fight are known as 'refuseniks'.

Using disproportionate force, including attacks against civilians, is a violation of international humanitarian law. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused both sides of committing war crimes, specifically for attacking civilians.

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