Bloomhousing Blog

Israel's Soldier children

It rips my heart apart when I hear people from around the world criticising the Israeli army. I am sure that there are many actions taken by our soldiers that need attention and sometimes punishment. This is the case for every army, as we have seen recently in the cases of the U.S. and British military. Soldiers are faced with the most frightening and stressful situations, that could cause anyone in their position to crack. In the British and American armies, these soldiers volunteer and serve their country and earn a respectful salary. Israeli soldiers are inducted compulsorily into the army, earn a pittance of a salary, just enough for bus fares to travel to their families. Most Israeli children are brought up experiencing the most terrible cases of terrorism and loss. There are not many children here that have not lost a friend or relative murdered by vicious terrorists. My son said goodbye to his 5 year old classmate one Friday morning, only to hear on Sunday that the little girl, her younger sister and both parents had all been blown up in Jerusalem by a Palestinian suicide bomber. We watch our children grow up, praying for peace and we ache from our souls knowing  that one day they will reach army age and will have to deal with the terrible demands thrown upon them by the realities of living in such a cruel and frightening world. Most Israeli children yearn to study, to go out and have fun, to travel the world. They serve their country, because they are the only ones that are able to promise the Jewish people a secure homeland and protect it from those that wish to destroy it.

These young children who protect our land, are burdened with such heavy and cumbersome tasks, it is maddening that they are picked upon and  constantly criticised by those sitting comfortably in their cosy homes from afar.

These children of Israel are young, innocent and fine soldiers, and from observing their fears and aspirations, it is fair to say that their brave deeds in courageously defending our country against  such vicious enemies whose goals are to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, will determine that  Israel will one day be able to achieve a secure peaceful and safer future.

M.B.

Amir Peretz, should I laugh or cry?

Listening to Amir Peretz, Labours newly elected leader, speak in English at the Rabin centre on Sunday, made me feel embarrassed and very frightened that Israel's main political opposition party has once again elected a well below par leader, who will probably lead them to another election disaster next year. Some people compare this novice with Tony Blair, well I might not be one of Tony Blair's favourite fans, but the Prime minister of Great Britain is a far cry from this young novice that has suddenly risen without any sense of logic to become a contender for the prime ministers office at the next elections. This man has a truly courageous career in bringing the whole country to suffer strike after strike, he has very limited (if any) experience of middle east diplomacy, an absolute vital necessity for an Israeli leader in the near future, as extremely important decisions on Israel's future will have to be made. If his English is bad, his Hebrew is not much better. I am not talking about his use of grammar, but the way he chooses his words in order to antagonize and threaten all around him. Threatening Ariel Sharon that if he does not meet the prime minister this week during Sharons busy itinerary of Rabin remembrance commemorations, he will bring down the government. He tells us that a unity government is undemocratic, well lets see what will be after the next elections. Since Rabin's assassination, I find it shocking and frustrating that no political leader has risen through the ranks of any political party, who has charisma and a sound and believable air, that  echos confidence and optimism to Israel's people. It is worrying that in the next few months I might have to choose between Amir Peretz or Binyamin Netaniyahu at the next elections. I think, if those are my alternatives, instead of voting on election day, I will visit the Western Wall  (kotel) instead and place a note to G-d in one of its crevices, asking what I have done so terrible to deserve such bad mazel !!!

Michael Bloom