Is Israel a Moral Country? Pt. 2

Here is the response I got from "rafi", an administrator of Mahal IDF Volunteers.com's forum.

My original question:

Rafi,

You seem like an intelligent and wise person, and I wanted to ask you something that I don't think fits anywhere in the forum. I've already decided to go to Israel this summer and join the IDF, I've told my family already and am in the middle of applying for Aliyah. However, I'm having serious moral conflicts about what the IDF does. I've only been to Israel a few times, but feel a strong connection to the country, mainly because my entire father's side of the family is Israeli and lives there as well. After hearing about the 'humanitarian crisis' that was going on in Gaza I strongly defended Israel, saying that the militants in Gaza were dressing like civilian on purpose to draw fire into them, and essentially using the civilian population as a human shield. How else do you explain that their largest bunker of operations was underneath the area's largest hospital? Still, I was conflicted. I didn't want to, in 20, 30, or 40 years look back on my service and think to myself that I supported a murderous regime, dare I say Nazi-esque.

I'm not that smart, but my few working synapses tell me that there is no military that has a perfect humanitarian record, and that America, my native country, is certainly no exception. That soldiers have to sometimes, unfortunately, sacrifice part of their humanity to defend their country. I've seen compelling arguments that say that this sacrifice soldiers make is by no means pretty, but not reprehensible either, simply because there's often no other way to defend your country, and that those who are willing and able to make that sacrifice are commendable. But still, after reading an article like this, I feel a little disheartened. I still don't think that Israel is necessarily at fault, but I was wondering if you could offer your own opinion on the matter. It's difficult seeing the morality of Israel constantly attacked in the global media and not feel that my own morality is being attacked as well since in less than a year I am going to be part of that military. My Lebanese step-father here in America was hurt when he found out that I was thinking of joining the IDF, and asked me, "Why do you want to kill Arabs?" I didn't know how to answer.

To summarize, my basic question is this: How would you defend Israel against articles like the one I just mentioned, if at all, and the other arguments that barrage Israel in the global media? On what grounds would you defend Israel, not just in the recent Gaza conflict but in any conflict? I'm sorry if this question is too open-ended and I would understand if you didn't have the time to answer it. Still though, thanks a lot for reading.

-Eli

His response:

hi Eli,
Thank you for writing a very eloquent question. I hope I can answer. Not everything you hear will be what you hoped for though.

First, I do believe the IDF is a moral army. Our polocies and training emphasise the value of life - all life. ut that is the 50,000 foot view. Now some realities.

I don't know were you go to High School. But Israel is a country, in theory, of 100% conscrition. Now think of every kid you ran across in the hall, in the lunchroom, on the bus. Now think of everysingle one ofthem in uniform, with an automatic weapon, having life and death power over others. I always start there. If you are like me, I grew up in New Jersey, the mere thought of some of my classmates in uniform scares the bee jeebers out of me. So soldiers come in all colors flavors and dispositions, even in Israel.

Now lets think about the other side. The good ones, if you will. You are in a firefight, you on one corner, the Palestinians on the next corner. Shooting at each other. Suddenly a woman and her 4 kids turn down the block and start walking between the two groups. Insane? By our standards. She might stop to tie a kids shoelace, look in a shop window, and you are in a firefight. The blood is pounding in your ears, you a re scared, and here is this woman!

I have seen ambulances with rifles, kids smuggling bullets, mothers with knives, there is no "safe" anymore. I have been woth a group of five or six soldiers, and suddenly we are surrounded by 100 to 120 males. If they are willing to die, or get whipped up into a frenzy, six M16s are worthless.

I realize my mind is jumping around, but it is all part of a big picture.

Now a bit from my heart. I made aliyah because I wantedto fight for Am Yisrael. Very hard nuanced concept, but there is Am Yisrael (the people) Eretz Yisrael, (the Land) and Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel. You make aliyah for the Land and for the people. But the reality is, you are a member of the army of the government of Israel - whoever that is. I had Begin, so for me it was easy.

I never crossed the line, and I never hesitatedto challenge others for crossing the line. I have seem guys harrass women at checkpoints. Never touch, never abuse, but if it were my sister, I would have slapped the soldier silly. I have seen many soldiers pick up theor hands. When I felt it was wrong, I soke up, and even put myself between them. The only way I couldreach them was to put it this way: I don't care about the person you are hitting, I care about the person, you, who you are killing. It is a quick slope form some people deserve to be hit to some people deserve to be abused. I never compromised my morals.

So I guess I have rambled, but I am speaking from the heart. do understand your question, and hope i have goven you some food for more thought. You have to become the person you want to be. There will the the "discovery" moment when, as I said, you realize that you are a soldier of a government, not a people. But it is the closest you can get. Look. Dozens of generations of jews, wha would they have goven to be in an army of the jewish people. You are a link, a fulfillment pf a dream.

You are going to be a great soldier.

Please feel free to reach out to me any time.

My next miluim, by the way, is July 13. And though I am 54, my 18 year old heart can't waitto put on the uniform one more time.

Rafi