JVP Announces Shministim Solidarity Campaign The Jewish-American group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) has announced a solidarity campaign with the Shministim, a group of Israeli high school students who refuse to serve in the Israeli military because of the occupation of Palestinian Territories. Historian Howard Zinn, a member of JVP’s Advisory Board, asked tens of thousands of JVP supporters to help secure thousands of letters to the ISraeli Minister of Defense on behalf of the Shministim. The Shministim will hold a Day of Action in Tel Aviv on December 18th to demand release of conscientious objectors who have been imprisoned. MORE http://december18th.org/2008/11/26/hello-world Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org A special note from our good friend Howard Zinn. Dear Supporter, I've been thinking a lot about courage. Right now, while I'm snug and fed this Thanksgiving holiday in the comfort of my home, halfway around the world a group of teenagers is sitting in a jail cell today, demonstrating the very definition of courage and sacrifice. It's frustrating. Humbling. And I'm damn glad to have the chance to do something big about it. http://december18th.org Send a letter to the Israeli Minister of Defense now. http://december18th.org See that fresh-faced, bold young woman on the right? (Page One) Her name is Raz Bar-David Varon. She's an 18-year-old Israeli who just graduated from 12th grade. And as I write this, she's sitting in jail in Tel Aviv because she refuses to join the Israeli army. In my day we called them the "refuseniks" and here in the U.S. they're "conscientious objectors." In Israel, they're still in high school and they are the Shministim. Get used to that word because I'm going to ask you to know it, to say it, to use it. You see, Raz Bar-David Varon and another dozen or so Shministim have asked Jewish Voice for Peace for our help and this is one request we can't refuse. http://december18th.org The Shministim - all about ages 17, 18, 19 and in the 12th grade - are taking a stand. They believe in a better, more peaceful future for themselves and for Israelis and Palestinians, and they are refusing to join the Israeli army. They're in jail, holding strong against immense pressure from family, friends and the Israeli government. They need our support and they need it today. http://december18th.org They have asked people like us to let the Israeli government know we are watching, and that we support their courage. They're hoping to receive hundreds of thousands of postcards to be delivered to the Israeli Minister of Defense on December 18th, when they will hold a huge rally and press conference. They're hoping to stand strong on the steps of this majestic building - and on the steps of history - representing not only the thousands of refusers who came before them, not only the many young people to whom they are an example of a better world, but also to represent us. They have asked you, me, and every person who strives for peace to be on those steps with them, on that day. I will be there. See: http://december18th.org Will you join me? It's simple. Sign a letter now. And don't stop there - ask your loved ones to join you. During this week of giving thanks, signing a letter is the least we can do to give thanks for the courageous among us. http://december18th.org Raz is a Shministit. Raz is Courage. And with our support of her today, you and I are Shministim too. Thank you - and go sign that letter. http://december18th.org Howard Zinn DECEMBER18TH.ORG http://december18th.org Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org