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.