Off to Israel

[itishe]

After much soul-searching I've decided to not go to college this year (University of Minnesota) and instead wait until I finish my service in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force).

I've never been to the Middle East or Israel and I'm hoping that I can find a few from the region who can tell me a bit about the culture, what to do/not to do (what are rude gestures, common phrases, etc.)

I also need fundraising ideas for a plane ticket. I can pay for it myself but it's a hefty $1,300. Do you think an ad in the paper asking for donations would suffice?

 

[Redsand426]

Why would you join the israeli defence force if you've never been to israel?

And if you can pay for it yourself, then pay for it yourself.

 

[itishe]

Because I am Jewish.

 

[martinM.]

Depending on what age you are you can travel for free on the "birth right" program. I'm not of the details or if you can travel with the program with the goal of joining the IDF.

What made you decide this? I was born there and lived until about the age of five and visit at least once every year or so, personally i would not recommend it for various reasons.

 

[Rebound Material]

Is it a requirement to join the IDF if youre Jewish or something or are you doing this just because you felt like it?

 

[I'm Charming]

I'd have thought that the Israeli's would have enough soldiers to slaughter the Palestinians already.

 

[The Bat]

Is it a requirement to join the IDF if youre Jewish or something or are you doing this just because you felt like it?

I would like to know the answer to this question also.

How is this any different than a Muslim joining Al-Qaeda for the purposes of jihad?

Racial superiority at its best. But maybe you have a monetary reason for joining the IDF?

 

[itishe]

I see someone chimed in with the "Israel Bad, Palestine Does no Wrong" comment.

Anywho, I'm doing this because I simply want to. There is no requirement for Jews to go to Israel to serve. My heart is telling me to do it more than go to school.

Can I hear why the above Israeli does not recommend service? I'm trying to learn as much as possible before I leave.

 

[I'm Charming]

If you're referring to my post then no, that is not what I think and I am in fact part Jewish.

I have however no desire to run off to defend the "homeland" and its artificial installation into the middle east as an American controlled wildcard, please understand that being an Israeli and being Jewish are totally different things and just because one is a member of a group does not mean they should rush off to defend the skewed interests on another which pretends to be acting for you.

Religion and god do not need a home, they are with you always if you chose so, the idea that the Jews need a state is just a Christian installation for the invented "Rapture" which would have all Jews repent and turn to Christianity or go to hell anyway.

Don't be a pawn.

Edit: Stupid 10 post rule lost my last post.

To summarise what I was going to say,

When you put your life in the hands of any armed forces, they will see fit to abuse it, my grandpa was a hard working member of the British navy, who during the testing of radioactive and hydrogen bombs was driven through a mass of radioactive particles on his ship, a document was later leaked that these men were driven through this knowingly hazardous area to "test the effects of radiation on humans", they were walking around in shorts at the time, today 200 of the crew that were on his ship have died young, including him, 100 of them from various forms of cancer.

The story does not end there however, radiation scrambled his DNA but also scrambled DNA which was passed down to his children and his grandchildren (myself amongst others), the effects of this are reckoned to last 50 generations and include a hugely increased risk of birth defects and early cancer, some in my family have already suffered from this. This was a consequence of the armed forces, him placing his faith in the armed forces and him becoming a pawn for them - he put his faith in them, and they betrayed it, to the cost of him and his family.

Considering what I have to say does not make you a pawn but when you put your health and your life in the hands of someone else that does, so please reconsider, it is not in the interests of any religion for you to be fighting in wars and putting at risk other people and yourself.

 

[itishe]

To do what you say, and not do what I wish; wouldn't that make me a pawn?

 

[The Bat]

I see someone chimed in with the "Israel Bad, Palestine Does no Wrong" comment.

Anywho, I'm doing this because I simply want to. There is no requirement for Jews to go to Israel to serve. My heart is telling me to do it more than go to school.

Can I hear why the above Israeli does not recommend service? I'm trying to learn as much as possible before I leave.

Again, I pose the same question that I did earlier to you:

How is this any different than a Muslim joining Al-Qaeda for the purposes of jihad?

Or for that matter, the Christians in Europe joining the military to fight in the crusades?

Religious wars are never justified. They are a contradiction. If your God wants you to be at peace and happy, do you think he wants to see you harm innocent people who've committed no crime but just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Innocent or not, you can't deny that at least SOME Palestinians want peace and prosperity just as you do. Is stepping on each other's toes really what your God wanted you to do in the first place?

I tell you all this not because I hate the Jews or Israel. I tell you this so you aren't confusing your "heart" with some unjustified, intolerable, and misunderstood religious war or crusade for the protection of the established religion.

You ARE a pawn when you are influenced by your religious leaders and decide to put yourself and others in harm's way. Keep that in mind.

 

[martinM.]

I see someone chimed in with the "Israel Bad, Palestine Does no Wrong" comment.

Anywho, I'm doing this because I simply want to. There is no requirement for Jews to go to Israel to serve. My heart is telling me to do it more than go to school.

Can I hear why the above Israeli does not recommend service? I'm trying to learn as much as possible before I leave.

I'm pretty sure you meant me. I really don't want to post my opinion on Israeli conflict. The whole thing is fragile and very complicated, i dont want to start a moral or political argument.

But the point is it's a heart based decision and this might not be the time to listen to your heart without really knowing about the subject. It's mandatory for israeli citizens to serve with the military, you have a choice.

 

[martinM.]

Is it a requirement to join the IDF if youre Jewish or something or are you doing this just because you felt like it?

I know you weren't asking me, but it is not a requirement for jewish non israeli citizens.