[JURIST] US-born Israeli soldier Avi Bieber was sentenced to 56 days in jail Tuesday for refusing to participate in the evacuation of settlers from Gaza [JURIST news archive]. Military officials said the stiff sentence is meant to send a message to other soldiers who claim they will refuse similar assignments and an Israeli Defense Force [official website] statement said "soldiers can under no circumstances choose their own missions." New Jersey native Bieber claimed he was motivated to refuse the mission by his belief that God had given the land to the Jews. Bieber is expected to appeal the conviction. AP has more.