Dozens of reserve soldiers from an elite Israeli intelligence unit
publicly declared on Friday that they refused to operate in the
Palestinian territories, citing moral reasons.
Soldiers from Unit 8200 - Israel's equivalent of the eavesdropping, code-breaking US National Security Agency - aired their grievances in the Yediot Ahronot daily newspaper after sending a letter to the military chief of staff and the prime minister.
"We veterans of Unit 8200, reservists past and present, declare that we refuse to take part in activity against Palestinians and refuse to be tools to deepen the military control in the occupied territories," the soldiers wrote.
The 43 soldiers, including some officers, allege that some of their unit's intelligence work prevents Palestinians from leading "normal lives" and only serves to prolong the conflict.
An anonymous soldier told Yediot Ahronot that information gathered on a Palestinian's personal life or health issues could be used against him for intelligence purposes.
Israel has long relied on a network of Palestinian informers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, who help target militants and tip off security services to imminent attacks.
Informers are often recruited through blackmail, the lure of travel permits and money.
The soldiers emphasised that their refusal to serve applies to Palestinian areas only.
Israeli Defence Minister, Moshe Yaalon, called the letter "a despicable attempt which assists the delegitimisation of Israel and the soldiers of the Israeli army."
A spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to comment.
Soldiers have refused to operate in the Palestinian territories in the past, citing similar reasons. But this is the first time a large group from this elite unit has done so.
Soldiers from Unit 8200 - Israel's equivalent of the eavesdropping, code-breaking US National Security Agency - aired their grievances in the Yediot Ahronot daily newspaper after sending a letter to the military chief of staff and the prime minister.
"We veterans of Unit 8200, reservists past and present, declare that we refuse to take part in activity against Palestinians and refuse to be tools to deepen the military control in the occupied territories," the soldiers wrote.
The 43 soldiers, including some officers, allege that some of their unit's intelligence work prevents Palestinians from leading "normal lives" and only serves to prolong the conflict.
An anonymous soldier told Yediot Ahronot that information gathered on a Palestinian's personal life or health issues could be used against him for intelligence purposes.
Israel has long relied on a network of Palestinian informers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, who help target militants and tip off security services to imminent attacks.
Informers are often recruited through blackmail, the lure of travel permits and money.
The soldiers emphasised that their refusal to serve applies to Palestinian areas only.
Israeli Defence Minister, Moshe Yaalon, called the letter "a despicable attempt which assists the delegitimisation of Israel and the soldiers of the Israeli army."
A spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to comment.
Soldiers have refused to operate in the Palestinian territories in the past, citing similar reasons. But this is the first time a large group from this elite unit has done so.
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