Culture  Sports
Laetitia Beck, Israel's Tiger Woods
Miki Sagui
Published: 09.07.11, 16:35
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14 Talkbacks for this article
1. What ever happened to I.D.F. service
jason white ,   afula, israel   (07.09.11)
at her age? More and more youth are avoiding service and putting themselves before the defense of the country. I feel sorry for those that served, including my own children.Hell, I even feel sorry I served for over twenty years. Got nothing for it. My foreman never served a day in his life. Same with the other three I work with.
2. Shemay provide more for Israel Defense then 20 yrs service?
J Ross ,   Haifa Israel   (07.09.11)
Maybe we should be more concerned about Israels Defense in the big picture rather than the small view of one soldier? By her exposure to other people of many nations, media outlets and just attending Duke University she can have a much more positive influence on the worlds view of Israel than servicing in the IDF for 2 years having absolutely no international influence. How many people have you influenced in a positive way from around the world in their personal view of Israel and importance of our security needs?
3. To #2 Are you crazy or nuts?
jason white ,   afula, israel   (07.09.11)
Do you think people will like us more due to her or any other athlete, movie star or model? How many others were successful and it made no difference. The world does not care about us and would not care even if we invented the cures for cancer and aging as well as cold fusion Why should others sacrifice the best years of their lives while others give nothing? If she is successful, then she will make money and have her fame. But others risked their lives to protect her and us. They get nothing. She also gets an earlier start in university than they do. If all do not serve, then no one should serve!
4. Wrong, #2
Tahl   (07.09.11)
Using your logic, almost every 18-year-old in Israel would prefer serving the country in a different way than the army. Being a golf player, a football player, a badminton player, a singer, a model, an actor, a chess granmaster, a mathemetician - all for the sake of improving Israel's image abroad. And everyone would have a good case. No one would want to be the "frier" who wastes his best years getting his a$$ torn in the army - while on the same time others are enjoying themselves, promoting their careers, and making good money on the outside, and worst of all - getting even more recognition and appreciation than most of those serving in the IDF. EVERYONE would want these perks instead of a real military service. And then, who would be left to serve? Bedouins? The Druze? I'd rather have our country not raising any sport prodigies, and being a total failure in sports - yet making everyone feel equal. Making some Israelis to be more worthy than others, is the surest way for the disintegration of our society. And this is a much greater threat than Hizbullah, Hamas or Iran.
5. Serve
michael Pielet ,   boca raton, Israel   (07.10.11)
As the father of three children who proudly served, everyone must serve! Ted Williams and Bob Feller among many others were American baseball stars who interrupted tremendous careers to joining the American fighting forces during WW2 and the Korean Wars. This young lady should be proud to serve in the greatest army in the world, the army of the Jewish people the IDF. Good golf.
6. Sorry, but she's a "Title Nine" Thief
Scott ,   USA   (07.09.11)
It's all because of a bad law called "Title Nine." In America, universities are forced to maintain a numerically equal number of sports scholarships for girls despite the rather obvious fact that the pool of female athletes is much smaller. So they import girls from all over the world, while talented American men have the doors slammed in their faces.
7. soldier sportsmen
grandfather ,   israel   (07.10.11)
This isn't an either or situation. My grandson is serving in Kfir and represents Israel at cricket. He's playing in an international tournament on the Isle of Man in a couple of weeks time and his Magad has given him permission to go. He spends his free time at the nets which is hard but it's a sacrifice he makes. Many sportsmen and artists have served and the army sees them right.
8. Military service
Big Fan ,   Afula Israel   (07.10.11)
Laetitia is at present enlisted in the IDFas a "extraordinary soldier" and has the IDF blessing to pursue her excellence. The minute she fails to produce, then she has to return for active duty. Generally , before you shoot, check the details
9. nice off you to prodly talk about idf
schimon   (07.10.11)
but for real. the idf will be ok without her. and more then that our country need more young men and women to catch the headline with good ideas and showing that we are a halthey society and not one that sucks all young ppl to tha army. the good that will comes from this is better in some caeses. like this. like sport.
10. great golfer.
marcia lewis ,   miami USA   (07.10.11)
i am very proud whenever Israel produces a champion in Any area, sports, science, military, start ups. thisgirl is talented and the world needs to see that Israelis are brilliant any al we attempt. but btw how much money dosuppos Elvis Presley lost when serving in the army?
11. Really
michael Pielet ,   boca raton, Israel   (07.11.11)
#89&10 all three of you and the IDF are totally wrong. EVERYBODY must SERVE without exception and serve proudly. Two years is not such a long time. I am quite sure that in her spare time she could have played golf. Probably the IDF could have accomodated the young lady and let her serve near her home close to the golf course. Perhaps the two years could have been reduce somewhat. Maybe SHE could have given golf lessons to the army brass or even regular soldiers. BUT EVERYBODY MUST SERVE, AND SERVE PROUDLY.
12. Proud
rami ,   USA   (07.12.11)
We should all be proud of her, don't worry about the IDF, better service where she is. One of a kind. Jealousy is a disease guys... Well done Laetetia
13. #1 , #4 and #8
Jay ,   Haifa Israel   (07.12.11)
I am Olim for three years, I volunteered in the USA Army and was proud to serve. If I could serve in the Israeli Army I would. I have a downs syndrome son, so I guess under your rules he would be required to serve also? I plan on encouraging him to serve if he is able, but you are far reaching in your theme all or none.
14. "Title Nine" thief
Barbara ,   Upper Galilee Israel   (07.17.11)
Men like you who look down on women around the world having a chance to get somewhere and prove themselves do not deserve an open door to anything! Get out there - prove yourself and if you are good enough you will be recognised!!
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