Dozens of IDF reservists join initiative to return reserve ID cards

Dozens of Israel Defense Force reservists have already joined an initiative to return their reserve identity cards to the army in protest of the government's approval of the Tal Bill last week. Several of them have even sent the cards to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The initiative was started by Noam Peleg, a student from Ra'anana, who serves as a reserve medic in an armor unit. Last week, immediately following the approval of the bill in the Knesset, Peleg sent a letter to Sharon, which was also posted on the Walla internet site.

Peleg said that in light of the bill's approval, which effectively grants most Yeshiva students an exemption from serving in the army, the country had lost its moral right to summon him to reserve duty. He said that he was refusing to go to reserve duty and added his IDF reservist identity card to the envelope with the letter.

Peleg told Ha'aretz on Saturday that he stood behind his words, and said that he would continue to support his position even if the army decided to put him to trial.

The publication of the letter brought forth hundreds of responses from reservists who wanted to join his initiative. So far some 200 of them have said that they intend to send back their cards, and some 20 have already done so. Those who have already joined the petition said that this week they would arrange a mass return of the cards.