The Faces of Military Objection in Israel

Over the years the state of Israel has come under criticism for its occupation of the Palestinian territories since 1967, as well as of Lebanon in the 1980's and its military action in that country last year. Peace Action of San Mateo County will present an evening of various personalities and media that demonstrate how some of that criticism comes from within the country as well as without. Among a surprising number of Israel's own military, it comes in the form of refusing to serve in a manner deemed unacceptable to some of its members. In a country where military service is mandatory, soldiers and officers are more than willing to conduct that service in a capacity they deem proper, i.e. truly defense-related.

Avner Erfred is a former member of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and a member of Yesh Gvul (Hebrew for "There is a limit"). Formed during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, this is an organization of Israeli veterans and service members in support of "refusenik" soldiers who resist carrying out orders they feel contribute to repression in the Palestinian territories. Erfred will talk about Yesh Gvul and a book about it called "Breaking Ranks."

Israeli-born local artist and pacifist Vered Shomron will also be on hand to grace us with some of her work. Shomron is the daughter of Holocaust survivors but also has some things to say about "going against the tide" in Israel.

And Wendy Greenfield of South Bay Jewish Voice for Peace will talk about that organization's work, then show a portion of the documentary film "On the Objection Front," by Israeli filmmaker Shiri Tsur. It deals with Israeli refuseniks in a separate organization called "Courage to Refuse," which was formed in 2002. Greenfield will also have olive oil from Palestinian farmers for sale.

Don't miss what promises to be a busy and stimulating evening. The Unitarian Universalists is wheelchair accessible.