Reservists call on PM to stop sending them to illegal outposts

Dozens of soldiers, most of them reservists in an elite unit, have signed a petition in recent days which is to be sent to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his government, and which demands the evacuation of all illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank.

The signatories are calling on Sharon to cease sending soldiers to protect these outposts and to dismantle them.

Amit Harel, one of the organizers of the petition, told Ha'aretz that the initiative was born after the unit took part in Operation Defensive Shield in April earlier this year. Since then members of the unit have taken part in various protest actions emphasizing the need for separation between Israel and the Palestinians.

Those signing the petition have made it clear that they are not refusing to serve in the territories and that they will continue to do reserve duty, regardless of their political opinions. The group plans to demonstrate opposite the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Friday.

Meretz MK Mossi Raz, who serves in the unit, also signed the petition.

In the coming weeks, the issue of the illegal settlement outposts is likely to be back in the spotlight, especially with Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer planning to dismantle dozens of the outposts across the West Bank.