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American Jews don military uniforms for volunteer service
Smadar Shir
Published: 22.07.10, 20:20
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1. Mihve Alon
David ,   Israel   (07.22.10)
Everybody who's been there and many who have not know that the base is a disgrace. A waste of time and tax payers' money on ... I don't know what. They put some retarded 19-year-old girls who make mistakes 9 times out of 10 in charge of grown up men and think this will help somebody... Or, perhaps, there is a budget to be spent on "absorption", which will explain things better.
2. Congradulations to all!
Judah ,   Golan Heights,ISRAEL   (07.22.10)
3. I pary these kids will be safe as I pray my own kids
Al   (07.22.10)
in Israel doing their service will be safe as well. To the parents of these kids, trust me when I tell you I know exactly what you think and feel. I have a clock in my house that my late mom once bought in Israel way back when. Today I happen to look up at it on my way out to work. It is inscribed with the words...."Vshavu banin legvulam." As I looked at it, I muttered a prayer at while choking back a tear.
4. proud to add another name to this list
Daniel Davenport-Freedman ,   Cleveland Heights   (07.22.10)
I am so proud to add another two names to this list. These are two boys from Cleveland. They live their 'faith' by their lives. One is Shalom R. and the other is Nick. Wonderful Might Men of David...I am so proud of them and honored to know them.
5. Americans to IDF
graczek ,   Maryland, USA   (07.22.10)
Proves divided loyalty of many Jews in our country. If they go through with joining the IDF and serving in the military of this illegal entity, they should be stripped of their US citizenship (Nationality Act of 1940, as amended) and tried and imprisoned for sedition should they elect to return to the United States.
6. soldiers
michael Pielet ,   boca raton, usa   (07.22.10)
G-d bless them.
7. bitterness...
nate ,   tel aviv, israel   (07.22.10)
actually david, it is absorption. the massive defense budget the idf receives doesnt just go to fancy tavors, and negev machine guns. it is also used (quite brilliantly, actually) to improve the country's education standards. if i hadnt gone to michve alon, id be up the creek here in givati. furthermore, one of the miracles of zionism is the rebirth of the hebrew language, which is what michve alon helps to teach international jews who come here to fight our enemies. what kind of a nation doesnt have a common language?
8. Good for them - i hope they long and happy lives.
Lee ,   Manchester UK   (07.22.10)
9. aish and the army
samal   (07.22.10)
I am the second samal of plugat erez in michvei and my chantar is from aish machal...I wouldn't recommend the program because of various discrapancies in army doctrine is too great. I strongly recommend people just going to the army BERITZA BERITZA.
10. to Nate
David ,   Israel   (07.22.10)
If you want to stay in the army, there is some (10%) use in this course. Most don't stay. In fact, many get disillusioned by this "army" (kindergarten?) experience... which is also very good, but has nothing to do with protecting the country.
11. #5 THE POLACK
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (07.22.10)
I ,like you ,also find it odd that U.S born citizens volunteer to serve in a foreign military ,BUT ......if it pisses off an antisemite like yourself (as you obviously are ) then I say good for them .KOL HAKAVOD....RESPECT .
12. #5 TO THE JEW HATING POLE
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (07.22.10)
Anything that annoys you makes my heart sing .Good luck and G-d bless these brave volunteers and you can take a hike buddy.
13. #5 WHAT'S IT TO YOU ???
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (07.22.10)
Not your business pal .If these fine young men want to enlist here ,it is not your business .As for dual loyalty ,what about you and Poland ??
14. #9 what's wrong with you?
shlomo ,   tel aviv   (07.22.10)
Aish Machal is the first organization ever to actively recruit for the Israeli army. They give the guys hebrew skills, ideology, training, and help them get placed in the army. Your talkback made absolutely no sense
15. :: Zionist mercenaries
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (07.22.10)
So let me get this straight: American born Jewish civilians, who have greater loyalty to Israel than they do to the USA, can go aboard to train in the Israeli army which is part funded by the US and then return to the US. Is that about the sum of it?
16. only good vibes
Birdi ,   Israel   (07.22.10)
Al, to keep you sane, think only possitive thoughts. It helps believe me.
17. # 5
Israel Forever ,   Israel   (07.22.10)
LOL, you're only jealous you cant serve in the IDF. They wouldnt accept you & you know why.BOO hoo.
18. Single Race Army is Racist
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (07.23.10)
Native Palestinians in Israel should be in Army to prevent slaughter of their people.
19. MAHAL - Not True
Israel ,   New York   (07.23.10)
Not since the days of ben gurion have they gone specifically to enlist? What lies.I went with MAHAL, specifically to enlist. So this is info is INCORRECT.
20. Come live in Israel
The Last Zionist ,   Eilat   (07.23.10)
Come her to live. A responsibility of living here military service. I don't find coming her to serve then returning to the States a noble endeavour. Among many reasons one of which is the investment make to train you and then your not being available for reserve duty. Frankly I am also a bit afraid that these are JDL types that we certainly do not need.
21. To Steve Benassi, #18
Californian ,   San DIego, CA, USA   (07.23.10)
Actually,FYI, there are Arabs who serve in the IDF (Druze and Bedouin).. There are Muslim and Christian Arabs, many of whom have volunteered (i.e. were not forced to join) in the IDF. Steve, your comment is indicative of the high level of ignorance that pervades most discussions in the U.S. surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. No wonder we Americans haven't managed to create a lasting peace over there.
22. WHEN THEY COME BACK TO US, THEY R AT THE DISPOSAL OF MOSSAD!
Sarah B , ,   U.S.A. /   (07.23.10)
23. To Steve Benassi #18 re: "single race army"
Mikey ,   SomeWhere OverHere   (07.23.10)
I don't know about "native Palestinians" (what is that, some kind of magical creature like an elf or a Hobbit?) , but many Arab citizens of Israel, particularly from the Druze and Bedouin minorities proudly serve in the IDF alongside Israeli Jews of all backgrounds.
24. Grazeck #5 re: "divided loyalties"
Mikey ,   SomeWhere OverHere   (07.23.10)
Many patriotic American citizens joined the British and Canadian armed forces to fight against fascists like you before the USA entered WW2. All in all, there are more American Jews serving in the various branches of the US armed forces than those who serve in IDF, but there is nothing illegal with having two citizenships according to US law, and all Israelis of draft age must serve in the IDF, even if they were born in the USA.
25. To Matty Groves #15 re: "Zionist mercenaries"
Mikey ,   SomeWhere OverHere   (07.23.10)
Matty asks: "American born Jewish civilians...can go aboard to train in the Israeli army ...then return to the US. Is that about the sum of it?" Are you mad because the USA is not the former USSR, which restricted its citizens' rights to migrate if they so wished? US Jews have the right (like all Americans) to move to the country of their choice. Some (not enough, IMHO) move to Israel. As Israelis, they are required to serve in the IDF if they are of age and fit. By definition, therefore, they are not "mercenaries," who serve in FOREIGN armies for money, but Israelis who serve in their own country's forces.
26. My Rebuke to Graczek (post #5)
Tom W. ,   Windsor, Canada   (07.23.10)
I will rebuke you in a twofold argument, first on a breach of morals and ethics, then secondly on your faulty legal logic. First in the area of being morally and ethically sound, clearly you are a hypocrite! By your comments, you state Israel is an illegal entity, so why the hell are you reading an Israeli on-line newspaper? Because you are the latest breed of Jew haters that are part of a 21st century syndrome, anti-Semitic cyberstalking via on-line Israeli newspapers; see the definition of cyberstalking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking) and then combine that with acts of anti-Semitism—it’s self-explanatory. Secondly, the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1940 was based on protecting America’s obsession with neutrality; the federal government did not want Americans joining foreign European armies. Also the federal government wanted a tool to prosecute U.S. citizens who participated in of acts of espionage. In terms of the latest amendments in relationship to U.S. citizens who join the ranks of Islamic terrorists (i.e. John Walker Lindh), I refer you to the following website: http://www.kennethballard.com/?p=103 Now legally your argument of sedition is faulty because the IDF is NOT a foreign military that is engaged in hostilities against the United States, in fact legally, Israel is an ally and U.S. troops have participated in joint military exercises with the IDF! So the only person who is guilty of anything here is you of: being an anti-Semite, not understanding U.S. law and being a xenophobic ultra-nationalistic American!
27. To #5
Avraham Weiss ,   NYC USA   (07.23.10)
Everyone has divided loyalties. How many times have you seen community events at an Irish American club or an Italian American club? Many American Catholics are loyal to the pope and the Vatican. There have been Americans that have served in the South African, French, British and yes, Israeli armies. Serving in a foreign army doesnt constitute loss of U.S. citizenship unless said military belonged to an enemy state in time of war. Don't be an idiot. Peoplel ike you who single out whole groups should loose your citizenship, not American Jews who support Israel.
28. #18
Avi Davidovich ,   Kfar Chabad, Israel   (07.23.10)
Israeli Arabs do serve in our army. And for your information "Jewish" is not a race. There are white Jews, black Jews, latino Jews, Asian Jews etc. There are thousands of Christians, Druze and Muslim arabs that serve in our army as well. Get your facts straight!
29. # 5, graczek
Golani ,   Vineland, USA   (07.23.10)
.Let me explain something to you. I was born in the US and am a proud US citizen. I support the US 100%. Having that background and a strong understanding of international politics, I also support Israel 100%. With such similarities and interests being so closely aligned, obviously you do not understand. If it were not in the US interests to support Israel, the US would not. I went to Israel when I was 18 and served 3 years in an elite IDF unity, and I am proud to have done so. Currently, I am working in the area of Counter Terrorism helping both US and Israeli interests. I do feel sorry for you that you do not understand, but then again many anti semites and pro-terror people against the West do not as well...
30. #15
(07.23.10)
yes, that about sums it up and it is really not up to you to pass judgement on what usa citizens want to do with their lives. in case you do not know, the usa is not at war with israel. so, why should they not get involved in helping their brothers and sisters. it also seems to me that a lot of al qaida islamists from all over the arab despotic countries are training in iran and adfghanistan. they are not afghani or iranian citizens and their country of origin are not at war with iran. yet, they fight for iran on all fronts in both iraq, afghanistan and iran itself by proxy, of course and ALL FUNDED BY IRAN. do you also have a problem with them fighting for and in other countries where they are not citizens. or do you reserve judgement only for jews? hameed aboughaze, iranian hameed aboughaze, iranian
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