The Courage to Refuse
 

Avi Biber: "Whoever Wants to Save the Country - Must Refuse Orders to Expel Jews"

The soldier Avi Biber, who became a symbol of admirable heroism during the expulsion, when photographed crying out to his commander, "That's unjust, that's not right to expel Jews from their land," relates what he went through since the scream that raised a storm in the country * Now, as deputy chairman of the Kinneret College Student Association, he expressed concern about another expulsion, this time from Judea and Samaria *" In order to save the country, every soldier must do what I did," he says, "I'm at peace with myself, especially in light of what happened since the expulsion" * Riveting  interview

Avi, let's go back five years.

"In 2005, two months before the disengagement, my team in the Combat Engineers brigade came to the Shirat Hayam settlement. We did not know why; it turned out that there were abandoned buildings where Jews lived to make it harder for military to carry out the disengagement. They used force against them, and I did not want to cooperate. I refused to evacuate Jews from the Land of Israel and take part in the process of disengagement.

"I talked to my officers - from the most junior officer to the battalion commander. I told them several months before sending us to Shirat Hayam, that I'm not willing to cooperate with anything related to disengagement, and asked them to put me somewhere else. But they fooled us and took us to deport Jews, and only when I got to the place and understood what was happening, did I get angry at the platoon commander. It was then that I met Avi Peled, Golani Brigade commander who was wounded in the Cast Lead Operation.

Are you aware that you still are admired today, following your actions?

"I was in prison for two months at the height of disengagement. I could not really understand the disengagement. I made aliyah from the United States, knowing that I would enlist in the army for the sake of the Jews, just like my father did. I wanted to be a combat soldier. The army, unfortunately, did not allow me to continue in the service.

You asked to fight in Lebanon, and were rejected

"During the Second Lebanon War, I called the Katzin Hair officer at the IDF local Information Center, asking to join. Unfortunately, the army never returned the call, and, painfully, we saw how the army that was disciplined to expel Jews was defeated badly in Lebanon. I think the values of being a moral person and before my being a soldier guided me, so I am at peace with myself ".

Looking back, would you repeat the same thing?
 

"Absolutely, I'd do it with much more noise and 'balagan; I saw the events that happened after the disengagement. Missiles were shot at the Negev - Sderot, Beer - Sheva and Ashkelon and Ashdod. When the army was present in Gaza, civilians had more confidence. We have been humiliated to dust".

How do you see the situation in Judea and Samaria?

"If they would do as I did, it would stop the disengagement and save the people of Israel. I hope that many soldiers would refuse, should they get an order for expulsion.
"The government deceived us. We didn't vote for what is happening today. It's very ironic that right-wing parties give land to the enemy. I ask people, 'Do you not understand the danger that Iran could control the center of the country? People in Israel are not aware of that areas that are actually center of the country will be ceded; the distance is only a few miles. What is happening in Sderot will happen in Tel - Aviv and Petach - Tikva.

How do you think this is happening to our leaders?

I think our leaders have lost their values. They don't have the courage they had thirty - forty years ago. They heed outside opinions too much. How many more people should die so that they understand that the enemy is a virus in the heart of the country? We need a leader who is not afraid to face the world and tell everyone of our right to exist".

How about Barak's intention to use his army to fight the settlers?

"I think Barak is absolutely crazy, there's no other explanation. I call for the Hesder yeshivas to continue to serve in the army, as they believe, to serve as Rabbi Melamed explains, to refuse orders during the expulsion. The public understood us so very well, and all responses were positive. People were proud that there was a soldier who shouted that this is immoral. Today they understand me much better.. "
 

Intermediate: Hundreds of soldiers that took part in the expulsion are mentally unfit

What reactions did you get after your refusal?

"While I was in prison I was sent gifts of money, I contributed it all to the dear residents of Gush Katif. My father told me that people called from around the world to thank and praise me for my actions. People danced with my pictures all over the world, proud of my actions. I repeat: I hold my head high: I do not have the slightest regret, I did the most correct and just act. My conscience is not bothering me. I had no part in destroying the country and the devastation it has brought upon us.

The public is not aware, but a nurse from Hadassah Ein Kerem in Jerusalem told me that hundreds of soldiers were treated after the disengagement by psychiatrists and psychologists. Soldiers who participated in the expulsion were severely damaged by it, by the disengagement and the brainwashing that they went through, and this destroyed them for life. I have peace of mind that I never took any anti-Jewish action. My conscience is clean.

What do you reply to the claims of certain public if soldiers refuse it will destroy the army?

"Just the opposite: If they behave like me, we would not be in today's situation, the army would be strengthened and reinforced. The Army today is really weak; it is enough that a thousand soldiers refuse in order to stop the next expulsion. Those who do not want missiles in central Israel, love the State of Israel and want to protect her, should know not to be a partner in the expulsion.