Top Israeli commandos say no to Sharon oppression

By: Ahmad Hammadi

HELD JERUSALEM: A private television reported here Sunday fifteen members of the Israeli army's top commando unit have refused to carry out missions in the Palestinian territories.

In a letter addressed to Premier Ariel Sharon, the 15 reservists from the elite Sayeret Matkal unit said they would no longer participate in the “rule of oppression” and the defense of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories.

“We will no longer give our lives to the rule of oppression in the territories and to the denial of human rights to millions of Palestinians and we will no longer serve as a defensive shield for the settlements,” the TV quoted the letter as saying.

The latest refusal to serve comes three months after 27 air force pilots sent a petition to air force head, outlining their refusal to undertake missions in the Palestinian territories.

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