This great article should be published in world media to show the other side of the truth.

Yehuda and Shomron are names much older, about three thousand years older, than the 'name' "The West Bank." Don't believe it? Look it up in the Bible (which also predates the Quran).

Does these semantic details matter in this case? No, of course not. Even if you are right they do not matter in this case. Why? Because they matter when you discuss the future of the Palestinian statehood or when you are discussing Hamas attacks targeted at the military, but they do not matter when you are discussing issues as those in the article above (hate/racist crimes against ANY Israeli Jew). The rebel movement in Syria does not recognize Assad's state either. Does that justify suicide bombings directly targeted at civilians or rebels going after any non-rebel Syrian with a knife? Of course not. Your case is far from closed. But hey, I guess nothing beats the Pro-Palestinian logic.

So relieved to finally read an article not spewing nonsense and realistic about the situation in Judea and Samaria. I especially like the line about the fences around Jewish communities....the longer the world continues to excuse Arab attacks on Jewish homes and communities...the more the Arabs sink in their own lack of accountability in all aspects of their lives. Which in my opinion, explains their predicament throughout the Middle East.

The West Bank is in Paris. It's name is Yehudi and Shomron and the name is thousands of Yrs old

because Palestine has never and does not exist.

Show me a map prior to 1948 that says West Bank, moron. The hills are called...Judean Hills. The desert...Judean Desert. The exact area name...Judea in the south, Samaria in the north. I rest my case! Your lack of knowledge is indicative of the larger problem in the Arab world.

Thanks for your service, Yaniv. Those of us who have served understand your words. As a proud Israeli, I appreciate your service. Your words are true, based on my own experience. May Elohim protect you and all of our fighting men and women.

As a former soldier who served in the Jenin area this is a 100% true... and if you don't believe this then go see for your self.

Judea and Samaria, as others have pointed out, are ancient names for the territories, going back thousands of years. Some 2,000 years ago, the whole of the Jewish state took on the name Judea, and we as a people were known as Judeans - Jews. "West Bank" was a name made up by the Kingdom of Transjordan to distinguish the lands illegally seized during the War of Independence (the West Bank) from the rest of Transjordan (the East Bank). It has no other legal or historic meaning. Transjordan, of course, is the made up country - the consolation prize created by the British out of the larger Mandate territory for the Arabian Hashemites after their defeat at the hands of the Saudis.

Hats off to Yaniv. He has it right. He reminds all of us to look back at history and what the attitude of the "Palestinians" has been. It might be a good idea if their so-called leadership stopped all the incitement against Jews. Or do they always want to hide behind the skirts of their western sympathizers. In the meantime, thank you Yaniv and all your fellow soldiers. You do us all proud.

Keep in mind that this is an opinion peice, told from the point of view of one person, the senses can be decived, memories can fade and alter overtime, and men can lie, reality is consencous.

Perhaps you should ask the government or your commander WHY you, Israel, the world..... are not told about the Hebron massacre.... and all the other facts you mentioned. Is political agenda which makes brutal murderers look like victims more important than truth? Who, WHY would a politician do that? Think hard.

I loved every word. So true, so true

You're incorrect. The fact that the PLO was formed in 1964...three years prior to Israel's capture of the West Bank is not an opinion...it's a fact, and it's at the heart of the conflict because it proves that it was never the intention of Yasser Arafat and his terrorist thugs to merely "liberate" the so-called occupied territories...but rather to expunge the State of Israel from the Middle East.

Thank you for writing honest words from personal experience. The Jews are a people perpetually hated and persecuted. We are the victims. Your article was excellent and straight to the point. The education given at home and corrupted religious leaders who teach hatred of Jew is not easily removed.

...there is a problem with the settlements", appears to be this soldier's main point. Then my answer is: "I don't really see how you can expect anyone to take you seriously".

Yes, it is an opinion piece BUT as already pointed out it is full of FACTS to support that opinion. AND your point that memory fades over time. The writer returned "last week" from his one month reserve duty. I dont know about you but most of us can hold onto things that happened one week ago. Especially when they repeatedly happened over a months time frame. Yaniv--nice writing, thank you and thank you and your co-reservists ( and your family) for your service.

It was called Judea ans Samaria two thousand years BEFORE your Muhamad was even born, let alone the "people" you call palestinians. It is called that in the Old Testament which you never read I bet, and know nothing of it, even though it is the FIRST MONOTHEISTIC FAITH. GO STUDY.

Just to make sure you understand the term west bank was coined only after the 6 day war in 1967 by the UN..... so which name is more appropriate? and name from 45 years ago, or the name from 3000 years ago?

and what would you know ab out the situation? have you ever been there? have you ever been a soldier in the idf? have you ever gone to this area? NO! you are a typical boozing and partying american that never lifted a finger to secure his own country. so, your opinion against someone that served in that area is nill.

I was hoping to see some talkbacks with intelligent opposing opinions based on countering the facts and evidence. Clearly there is no countering the truth all that can be said are cheap one liners to shrug off the reality of the fact that the arabs goal is to destroy the Jews and uproot the state of Israel and their means is by way of violence and murder.

My relatives have interesting story passed in our family regarding 1929 massacre. They have told me that my grandfather who was Hagana spy was sent to temple mount( dressed as Arab) to hear enemy plans. They overheard plan to massacre Jews in hebron. He and his Hagana men went to Hebron and asked one of the community rabbis if he wants to evacuate his people. The Rabbi said that lately relations ok and best not to create more tension. The Hagana men left worried but unable to come to agreement with the rabbi. A week later my grandfather ( arab costume)came to gather murdered corpses out of Hebron and help victims. The massacre was planned in a mosque and the religious leaders influenced the murders. Yaniv is right that hatred of Jews has been around way before 67 occupation. My grandfather was orphaned at age 3 when Muslims attacked his village in Iran and killed all the men. The women fled weeks later secretly to Israel to save themselves/children. Hebron and rescue.