David Swanson and Charles Lenchner: Refusing Military “Service”

Image by Mario Klingemann via Flickr

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy, Jan. 4, 2022
January 5, 2022

This week on Talk World Radio we’re talking about refusing military “service.” Our guest Charles Lenchner is a veteran peace activist, organizer, and political campaigner. Born in the United States, he grew up in Israel where he became an anti-occupation activist at a young age. In 1987, he was drafted into the Israeli Army and subsequently refused orders and spent time in military prison. More recently he was a co-founder of People for Bernie Sanders and today is part of the RootsAction team that publishes ProgressiveHub. I also work for RootsAction.

Israeli Refusnik, Maya Yechieli Wind: Israel is a Nation of Soldiers

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breakingtheset Nov 21, 2012

Abby Martin talks to Maya Yechieli Wind, an Israeli activist and dissenter, who advocates against Israeli aggression toward occupied Palestine.

Israel-Palestine – What Is The U.S. National Interest? by Ralph Nader

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by Ralph Nader
The Nader Page
Nov. 20, 2012

Israeli elections are coming up in January so it is Palestinian hunting season again. Israeli cynics call it a time “for mowing the grass.”

Out comes the well-worn playbook by Israel’s militaristic government that has worked to silence Israeli politicians and citizens who want a two-state solution. This is an opportunity to use and test advanced weaponry from the U.S., compliments of U.S. taxpayers, and squelch ongoing peace efforts, small and large, by Palestinians, Israelis and international peace advocates.

The Spectrum of Disobedience – an interview with Howard Zinn By Gabriel Matthew Schivone

Crossposted with permission from Jewish Peace News

Howard Zinn
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad

Jewish Peace News
Sept 14, 2009

This interview with Howard Zinn opens with a discussion of a group of Israeli refusers known as the Sministim (high school seniors).

Jewish Peace News: Refusal and protest within Israel

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Crossposted with permission from Jewish Peace News

Jewish Peace News
1.13.09

Contents of this message:

Item 1: Update on soldiers refusing to serve

Jewish Peace News: Resistance to the war

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Crossposted with permission from Jewish Peace News

Jewish Peace News
1.8.09

These pieces are organized around the theme of resistance. They discuss various actions, initiatives and statements by Jews and Israelis who are speaking out and acting in solidarity with Palestinians who are struggling to keep themselves and their families alive in Gaza. There are many suggestions for actions that you can take.

Contents:

(1) Tom Pessah, an Israeli doing a PhD in the US, writes another update on protests and people inside of Israel. His attention to nuance and detail make this description extraordinary. Rebecca Vilkomerson attended the rally too and reports that the number was closer to 500 people (Pessah reports about 100): “it was also noteworthy that there were so many women and children at the rally, which despite all the police who were present, gave the rally a rather gentle presence, and unlike in Tel Aviv, there were no counter-protesters throwing eggs, so all in all it was one of the more pleasant demo experiences recently.”

(2) On conscientious objection and military refusal:

December 18th, what happened (Shministim)

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Jewish Voice for Peace
Dec. 19, 2008

Yesterday, December 18th, was the Shministim Day of Action in Israel. Even as Tamar Katz remained in solitary confinement, the Shministim were thrilled. They told us they had not seen this much media coverage in Israel of young refusers in years. The global response, which continues to grow, has been overwhelming. I want to share with you this first-hand account that Rebecca Vilkomerson wrote about the day. And, thank you so much from all of us at Jewish Voice for Peace.

Israeli Conscientious Objectors, Shministim, Send letter www.december18th.org

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JVP18

Support Israel’s young conscientious objectors. WWW.December18th.ORG Shministim say why they refuse to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinians.

Breaking the Silence – Israeli Soldiers Speak by Stephen Lendman

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by Stephen Lendman
Global Research, April 24, 2008

They’re called “Refuseniks” but not for refusing to serve. They’ve done it proudly and courageously, and here’s how “Courage to Refuse” members state their position: