When soldiers lay down their arms – “I want to do something peaceful”

by  R. Teichmann
first published on news-beacon-ireland

Image: These Ukrainian soldiers had enough, source

Today it was reported that more than 400 Ukrainian soldiers refused to kill their fellow countrymen in eastern Ukraine. They "defected" across the border to Russia and laid down their arms.

One of them, Yaroslav, said: “I want to do something peaceful."

They saw no other option than to flee their own country as there they would face  prosecution as "traitors".

Some Israeli soldiers are also recognising that what they are doing is wrong. Dozens refused the summons to service.  They state:

We are more than 50 Israelis who were once soldiers and now declare our refusal to be part of the reserves. We oppose the Israeli Army and the conscription law. , source

 

We all know the iconic images of soldiers playing football (soccer) together on the killing fields of World War I during the Christmas truce. A photo that touches us and highlights the madness of brothers killing each other.

Heroes and the Traitors

Soldiers that refuse to fight are generally portrayed as traitors. But what they are in fact doing is to remember who they really are. Sentient, caring, loving and compassionate human beings. And what's more, they are acting on it.

The heroes are those who refuse to kill for nations, ideologies, economic interests or religions. They are those who refuse to be used as weapons against their fellow man. Who refuse to be used as cannon fodder to prolong the existence
of domination, oppression and division.

There are some who think that they can play with human lives. And they even write books about it. Like this guy Zbigniew Brzezinski (The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives). But when the pawns refuse to play there will be no game. The power lies not with the plans of the rulers but with the decision of each and every one of us, especially those in the military. Refuse to fight and reclaim your birthright of living in peace.

About the author:
R. Teichmann is an activist living in West Cork / Ireland. He is an editor with news-beacon-ireland.info and also blogs on War is a crime.