The Right to Refuse

I really enjoyed reading this Al Jazeera article about a recent batch of "refuseniks," young Israelis who refuse to do their obligatory service in the military because they have moral objections to the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank, and the handling of the Gaza conflict. For these teens, it was about opening their eyes, educating themselves about the true situation here, and then having the courage to hold on to the strength of their convictions. I have a great deal of respect for these recent high school graduates; they risk going to jail for their beliefs, and will likely find it difficult to find a job because they have not done their army service. 

Conscience is the root of all true courage; if a man would be brave let him obey his conscience.

-James Freeman Clarke

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/10/2009101373851115553.html