As Israeli soldiers continue to move further into Gaza and their commanders tell the world that their military assault is going to get more intense, some are resisting. We've heard their voices on this program. 

But if ever there was a moment for conscientious objection, this is it.

Never before has an assault of this type been undertaken -- nominally targeting a militia force -- but deep into civilian territory, occupied by civilians without access to food or water, locked in on all sides by walls or troops.

While the world watches and protests in its own way -- this week marks a date worth remembering.

On January 12, 2002, 53 Israeli soldiers signed an ad refusing to serve in the West Bank or Gaza Strip.

Their letter concluded: "We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people. The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve Israel's [defense,]" they wrote. Some 800 combatants from all units of the military and all sectors of the Israeli society eventually signed the letter.

Last fall, some Israeli high school students were imprisoned for refusing to serve. Over  20,000 people including American conscientious objectors, Ronnie Gilbert, Adrienne Rich, Ed Asner, and Howard Zinn leant their support.

High schoolers and street protesters seem to be the voice of conscience right now. Let's hope our leaders begin to listen.