Yulie Khromchenko writes "Some 250 high-school seniors have signed a letter stating that they will not serve in the Israel Defense Forces or take part in military activities, and sent the letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, and Education Minister Limor Livnat.

"We call on all youths ahead of service in the IDF, and all soldiers already in the Israeli army, to reconsider endangering their lives and taking part in a policy of oppression and destruction," the letter states.

The letter, originally published on the ynet website, states that the signatories will not serve in the IDF, which they claim is a tool of a policy of occupation and oppression.

"The current policy is not the result of security needs, but of a nationalist-messianic worldview," the students wrote. The signatories note that they will refuse to take part in the policy of occupation and oppression, and would like to contribute to society by alternative means "that do not include hurting other human beings."

Responding Monday to the letter, President Moshe Katsav told Army Radio that with time, the youths would shift from their "mistaken attitude and outlook." According to Katsav, "Something went wrong during the process wherein we tried to shape the younger generation. I can't place my finger on the defects during this process. The mistake can be rectified - it's not irreversible."

Alex Kon, 18, from Tel Aviv is one of the organizers behind the letter. Last Tuesday, he arrived at an IDF base, in accordance with a military order received in the mail, but decided not to enlist in the army.

"This is part of my duty as a human being. I was in the territories and I saw the separation fence, and I can't stand on the sidelines," he said, explaining his refusal to serve in the army. His brother, who is currently in an IDF officers course, and his parents, who are not leftists, do not support his actions, but, he says, accept him.

Kon is also in touch with veteran refuseniks who spent time in military prisons, including Haggai Matar, and is familiar with the consequences of refusal. "I hope the army will understand and release me, but if I have no other choice, I'll go to jail."

According to Aviv Sela, 17, from Ramat Gan who is also behind the letter, the signatories include various youths from around the country. "Druze, and even some youths from settlements beyond the Green Line, signed the letter."

Among the signatories are individuals active in various organizations. "It's important for us to demonstrate that we are youth that care," Sela said. "We don't just go to school, come home, and sit in front of the television."

The letter stresses the adverse effect of the occupation on the Palestinians (house demolitions, land expropriations, prevention of medical treatment, collective punishment, and disrupting the possibility of a normal lifestyle in the territories), and points to the negative effect on Israeli society.

"Israel wastes its resources on perpetuating the occupation and oppression in the occupied territories, while hundreds of thousands of Israelis live in shameful poverty," the letter states, saying that the country's education, medical, and financial systems are have been neglected in order to prolong the existence of the settlements.

According to Sela, the signatories are not in complete agreement as to the method by which to refuse. "There are those among us who are pacifists and won't serve in the army; there are some who refuse to enlist because of the occupation; there are those who will enlist, but won't serve in the territories, and there are the gray refuseniks, who oppose taking part in the occupation, but won't go to prison, but will try to lower their medical profile or try to evade service by some other means.""