A new refusal letter is on the way
(02.02.2025) This is Max Kresch, writing to you again from “Soldiers for the Hostages.” I wrote to you last time about the refusal conference which we held as a bold act of resistance against the war, and some of the other activities which we are engaged in. I also shared with you some of the struggles in upholding a movement such as this. I just finished reading many of the messages of support that many of you had sent which were extremely moving, and gave me much needed strength to continue on with this initiative, thank you. Our current campaign will hopefully be the final blow to ensure that we end this war for good, and for that, we need your support!
Our new project is a refusal letter of medical servicemen and women of the Israeli army. Medics such as myself, doctors, paramedics, as well as mental health professionals who have been forced to make the unconscionable choice between continuing our participation in this war, or abandoning our fellow comrades, who are friends, family, and community, and have just the same been forced to the battlefield by Netanyahu’s regime.
When I arrived at my post on October 7th 2023, we had no adequate medical equipment or logistics. As a medic, my first instinct was to prepare makeshift tourniquets to be ready if they were needed. There was no advanced life support equipment. We were all aware of this, but considering the massacre in the south and the severity of our situation, it did not matter, we were truly in a state of survival, and that is exactly the litmus test that I use today.
Will you show up if you know there is no medical response team to take care of you if things go wrong? On that day, the answer was yes. Today the answer is a resounding no. I believe that our refusal will apply greatly needed pressure on Netanyahu’s government to continue the deal and end the war, ultimately saving countless Israelis, and Palestinians alike from the continued horrors of war.
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From the letter of Medical Servicemen and Women:
"First, do no harm." Every healthcare professional recognizes this phrase from the Hippocratic Oath. The oath also states that all health professionals, of all kinds, must take active steps when they see harm being done to a patient or a healthy individual and stop harmful actions [...]
We call on Israel not to yield to extremist pressures and to allow the deal to move to its second stage. We declare that we will not be willing to return to participate in the war in Gaza after the termination of the first stage of the deal.
We emphasize that although we will cease volunteering in the military reserves, we will continue to provide essential medical, psychological, and social services to anyone in need, which are so critical today.
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As a member of Israeli society, taking such a stance is extremely difficult. It comes with many internal challenges as well as significant social costs, and often even threats from others. I have been called a traitor and an embarrassment to my nation by people who I know and have relationships with. Nonetheless I, and we, continue to fight against this war because we know we are on the right side of history. I never expected to be active in this movement for as long as I have. It has now been over 3 months, and it is thanks to you and others like you who continue to support the work that we are doing. We could not have accomplished what we have without your support.
We are at a turning point, at the end of this first stage of the ceasefire deal, it will either be continued until all the hostages are released and the war is ended, or the extremists will succeed in sabotaging the deal and we will go back to war, in which many more innocent Palestinians and Israelis will continue to be killed. Therefore we must apply every ounce of pressure that we can on our government to end the war, and for that we need your help.
Currently, we are still gathering signatures, but we are preparing for a major media campaign to accompany the publication of our letter. It will require hiring media consultants and paid advertising. Please help us end this war for good by donating.
With gratitude,
Max Kresch
Soldiers for the Hostages
Refuser Solidarity Network: A new refusal letter is on the way. Refuser Updates, February 2, 2025. http://eepurl.com/i8Z1B6
Keywords: ⇒ Conscientious Objection ⇒ Israel ⇒ Militarization ⇒ Peace Movement