Kids’ play

January 4, 2009 - 9:09 AM by David

An IDF soldier preparing to enter Gaza on Saturday night. (Photo Courtesy Jerusalem Post)

An IDF soldier preparing to enter Gaza on Saturday night. (Photo Courtesy Jerusalem Post)

It’s one thing to be watching the harrowing TV scenes of IDF soldiers trudging into Gaza as the second week of Operation Cast Lead begins its ground incursion. It’s another to know some of those soldiers.

It’s inevitable that everyone in Israel knows somebody who’s involved in some aspect of the wars we’re forced to fight. And in previous mobilizations since I’ve been living here, it’s always been myself and my peers who were called up to perform the required tasks.

But now, I’m at the age where alot of my friends’ children are now serving in the IDF. I’m aware of at least two young soldiers who are among the infantry troops who went into Gaza Saturday night and are now engaged in combat with Hamas forces.

And they’re so young! I remember their brit milas, their bar mitzvahs and their temper tantrums – wondering how they would ever make there way in the world with their wild behavior. Now, they’re the ones being called upon to engage this most evil of enemies and attempt to restore a new order in Gaza that will see a quiet border and no more rocket attacks on our southern communities.

So while it may have been chilling for anyone watching the troops march into Gaza with their night vision, huge backpacks and weapons like the brave soldiers they are, what I saw was the little guys who used to play in the sand box in my yard, throw food on my walls, and trash the house during birthday parties.

And I also saw their parents watching the same TV images, worried to their bones and praying that their sons will return home safely.

Tags: , , , • Category: A New Reality, General, Israeliness, Life, War 

Comments

4 Comments on Kids’ play

  1. Nicky on Sun, Jan 4th 2009 10:06 AM

    2. I had exactly the same thought when I watched those soldiers through night vision goggles appear on Sky last night.
    My husband’s nephew is there right now, and it seems like just yesterday that he was a small boy playing with his toys.
    I watched those images, and then went up stairs to check on my own boys before I went to bed. I looked down at them sleeping and it broke my heart to think that one day – sooner than I can possibly imagine – it could be them going to war.

  2. Hank Racette on Sun, Jan 4th 2009 10:26 AM

    3. It is difficult for us in the U.S.–even those of us who read a lot of non-MSM news–to appreciate the existential challenge you folks seem to take for granted. Your stoicism is amazing to us. As conservative Christians, we see Israel as a critical ally in the fight to defend Western Civilization. We wish you well, pray for your safety, and encourage our government to support your cause. God bless you all in this difficult time. And thank you for being one of the front lines in this fight.

    – Hank

  3. David-Joe on Sun, Jan 4th 2009 4:26 PM

    4. I was born and raised on a kibbutz next to Jordan and since a child I have been used to these sorts of images because many times Zahal began their operations from just outside our heder ochel.

    I think kibbuzniks have different emotional reactons to many. We used to, and still do, when we see our boys going to engage the enemy, are not filled with foreboding but with very positive energy.

    Through my years I have known a lot of ben meshek that have joined elite units and come back alive, wounded or dead.

    The pain is always there and the unique Israeli quirk of putting Yom Hazikaron and Yom Hatzmaut next to eaxh other is a curious twist. the bitter sweet – how very Jewish.

    And my own experience in Lebanon over 25 years ago [!!!] through today.

    I just wish it did nothave to be. But I also remember that not too long ago, the Jewish people had nothing to defend or weapons to fight with.

    We always had to use benign skills and smiles to survive.

    Now we defend our own Land, Medinat Israel, in Eretz Israel and despite everything, even though the world still unites against the Jewish people – I prefer to be disliked for our fighting than loved and sympathized with for our tragedy.
    These are the words paraphrazed of Ben Gurion.

    So let us never show grief or fear to the world, but only the show the normal face of an Israeli: determination, just cause and a will to win that is an aexample to the whole rotten world.

  4. Haveil Havalim #200- The Harvey Edition « Random Thoughts- Do They Have Meaning? on Thu, Jan 15th 2009 12:11 AM

    5. [...] Katz presents Religion and State in Israel – January 5, 2009. Harry presents Kids’ play and Finding hope in the Gaza [...]

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