Democratic Underground - US Soldier in Iraq Refuses to Help Any longer with the Occupation

Yesterday, June 19, 26 year old SPC Eli Israel put himself at great personal risk by making the courageous decision
to refuse further participation in the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Eli told his commanding officer and sergeants that
he will no longer be a combatant in this illegal, unjustified war. Eli believes that the U.S. government used
the attacks of September 11, 2001 as a pretense to invade Iraq and that "we are now violating the people of this country (Iraq) in ways that we would never accept on our own soil." Eli is stationed at Camp Victory
in Baghdad with JVB Bravo Company, 1-149 Infantry of the Kentucky Army National Guard.

This soldier's decision to refuse orders puts him at great risk, especially because he is in Iraq,
isolated from legal assistance and other support.

The following is a message that Eli sent yesterday to a friend back home:

"I have told them that I will no longer play a 'combat role' in this conflict or 'protect corporate representatives,'
and they have taken this as 'violating a direct order.' I may be in jail or worse in the next 24 hours.

Please rally whoever you can, call whoever you can, bring as much attention to this as you can.
I have no doubt that the military will bury me and hide the whole situation if they can.
I'm in big trouble. I'm in the middle of Iraq, surrounded by people who are not on my side.
Please help me.

Please contact whoever you can, and tell them who I am, so I don't 'disappear.'"

Eli is taking an incredible risk by refusing orders in Iraq and will most likely be court martialed.

Please help him by contacting his Senator and requesting that he take any steps necessary
to support and protect this soldier and ensure that the Army respects his rights and does
not illegally retaliate against him.

Senator Mitch McConnell:
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Washington Office
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2541
Fax: (202) 224-2499

http://www.ivaw.org/">Update: a message from Eli Israel

"Thank you for your support. I am currently "OK", thanks in no small part I'm sure to the voices
that have spoken up in the name of peace. I don't know what the military's next steps are going
to be, but my deeply held beliefs prevent me from participating in this or any other war....

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~~ In Memory of Monkeyman ~~

IVAW is coming to a base near you!

http://www.ivaw.org/bustour

This Summer, IVAW members are touring bases from Georgia to New York
and hosting BBQs for vets and active duty soldiers, sailors, and Marines.

Click on a stop on the map below for more information,

or scroll down for a full list of tour stops.

Washington DC (Ft. Meade, Walter Reed, Andrews AFB)
Jun 23 2007 - 2:00pm

Norfolk, VA (Norfolk)
Jun 24 2007 - 4:00pm

Jacksonville, NC (Camp Lejeune)
Jun 26 2007 - 7:00pm

Columbia, South Carolina (Ft. Jackson)
Jun 28 2007 - 7:00pm

Atlanta, GA (US Social Forum)
Jun 30 2007 - 7:00pm

Columbus, GA (Ft. Benning)
Jul 1 2007 - 7:00pm

Philadelphia (Fundraiser & Show)
Jul 4 2007 - 6:00pm

New York, NY (Fundraiser & Show)
Jul 5 2007 - 7:00pm

Groton, CT (Naval Sub Marine Base)
Jul 6 2007 - 7:00pm

Upstate NY (Ft. Drum)
Jul 8 2007 - 4:00pm

US Soldier in Iraq Refuses to Help Any longer with the Occupation [View All]

~~ In Memory of Monkeyman ~~

In Memory of Monkeyman