Our hearts are broken once again. How much more blood must be spilled? The rumors begin hours before the official announcement is made, naming the latest casualties in the war. If only we could take comfort in the thought that, in their death, these soldiers have bequeathed us life, or total victory. But our doubts persist.
Why did they die? What purpose did their deaths serve? We began the war knowing it was a just fight, critical for our national survival, the eradication of terror. But now? What are we really fighting for? What are we sacrificing the best among our children for? How many times will our troops return to operate in Jabaliya? There will always be more terrorists there and more rocket launchers.
The Gaza population numbers over two million, 500,000 of them men of fighting age. If only 100 join the terror forces each week, there would be more terrorists fighting our troops than the week before. The despair in the Strip brings even those who hate Hamas to consider joining its fight. So, what is it we are doing there?
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The funeral of first sergeant Matityahu Ya’akov Perel, killed in Gaza last week
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky )
Senior officers in the IDF say in off-the-record conversations that the fighting in Gaza causes harm for Israel. They are soldiers and obey orders. But the military is built on its reserve forces and those are turning up for duty in increasingly lower numbers.
What is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waiting for? We've reached a stage where with every day of fighting, we cause more damage than good. What are the soldiers dying for?
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And how can we not support the activists fighting for equal service for all, including the Haredi men? Defense Minister Israel Katz was appointed only to facilitate legislation that would exempt them from service. How will the coalition, in its actions, increase the willingness of reservists to serve when it rewards those who avoid service more? Have our leaders gone mad?
Ben Dror YeminiKatz could have challenged the military doctrine in some way, but he brought no new strategy or world view. He only challenges the IDF over the conscription of Haredi soldiers. The IDF wants and needs them and so does the nation. That is the sane, logical and positive way to go, but Katz wants to allow them to avoid the draft. Between the good of the nation and the good of the coalition, coalition wins. As our dead lie before us, those evil people are busy preserving their political power. Katz demands inquiries into the conduct of the IDF leading up to Oct. 7 but only to shatter the public trust in the military and blame the debacle on it alone.
Protesters demand equal draft for all
(Liran Tamari)
Fortitude of a nation depends on motivation, faith in the military, economic and political leadership and the belief in a joint cause, as well as the shared load among all Israelis. None of that exists now. The fallen, the dying hostages still held in Gaza and the reemergence of Hamas are all detrimental to our fortitude.
We are fine with the demand to give our blood, sweat and tears, but only when we have faith in the cause. That is diminishing with every passing day as the direction we are heading in becomes less clear.