Ok, good for the American Olim, Kol HaKavod and all that jazz.. Nope, I guess you're not "suckers", just totally naive, and maybe just a bit over-enthusiastic, but I can understand that, not ever having lived here, and feeling all excited and hepped up about doing your bit for Israel. Anyway, if the going gets just a bit too tough, you can always go back to the US and chalk it up to a "challenging" experience to tell your kids about.

and take part in the occupation of an other peole !

Will they be sent to the West Bank? Will they man an IDF checkpoint? Wouldn't it be wonderful to know their opinions after five years. When the reality of the true nature of Israeli society towards them and the Palestinians sinks in I would bet some, those steeped in the American concept of equality for all, will return to the US very sad.

It's the english translation.

Regarding Michael Basin's statement that "only the best of the best join the IDF" and "I want to serve in a combat unit because that's what Israel needs me to do", hate to rain on your hero's parade Michael, but almost every citizen gets drafted into the IDF, not only " the best of the best", as an IDF veteran I should know. Also Israel doesn't "need" you to serve, there are plenty of young people in the country who already fulfill that role. So maybe you should step back from your fantasy world for a minute. Let's hear you after the reality of life in Israel hits.

A true Zionist would NEVER call another Jew a sucker for making aliyah and joining the IDF. HOWEVER-and this is the caveat-if the leaders DARE to ever again task the soldiers to evict fellow Jews, then not only should they refuse to do so, but it would only be correct to call them SUCKERS.

Maza Tov to all the new Olim Chadashim! If you want to know about the Aliyah experience that the Internal Ministry and Jewish Agency don't tell you about, check out: http://aliyahsurvivalblog.wordpress.com/

Noded, I appreciate your sad skepticism and sarcasm. Unfortunately, my comment here was mistranslated from hebrew to english (as happens sometimes). I am fully aware that most people in Israel serve. What I had said in Hebrew was that those who choose and really want to are the best of the best. Maybe if you read this in Hebrew you would have gotten the correct information and would also be less negative about my decisions. Thanks. Michael Bassin

Well good for them , giving up the American life style and moving to Israel and serving in the IDF, What an example to the charideem who live here, dont pay taxes, dont work, dont serve in the IDF and milk the state dry.

Kol Hakavod to educated American youth who have all that they need (and often all that they want) then make a CHOICE to come here. Yes we are "suckers: but its YOUR corupttion and disrespect that takes advantage of "suckers" That is why some go back. Give any secular israeli the oportunity to emigrate to America and he is gone at the drop of a hat. In the end, it will be the secular Yeridah and the spriritual Aliyah that will make a differance to this fine country.

I suppose we should welcome the fact that these naive and idealistic young people are choosing to live in Israel. Israel needs more people like this to balance things out, there are just too many Israelis around who know how difficult and frustrating the reality of life in Israel can be and nobody likes a whiner. Besides it helps keep the bureaucrats in the Ministry of Absorption and the Jewish Agency gainfully employed.

"Hisses"? A snake hisses when it's being threatened. Also learn to spell. Now you shut up!

For those who labor under the illusion of Israeli Zionism, just look at the criminal elite who run the country lately. Zionism is a luxury that only those who never actually have to live in Israel can afford.

As for the disgusting Adina Kutnicki, a true Zionist would never call another Jew a Nazi.

IDF Dodgers are wimps and do not fit to live in Israel. They are shame to our Nation.

People don't like to hear the truth, and it does seem that your realistic views, based on actually living here, and not just flights of fancy and idealistic imaginings, might indeed drizzle a bit of rain on their parade. Well, too bad, because life here is in no way easy, and the reality of living here is going to hit them hard, sooner or later. Time will tell whether they be "winners" or "whiners", so all the best of luck to them. Now, to # 21- IDF dodgers a "shame" to our nation? Well, I sure hope you did your military bit, and even if you did, who the hell are you to judge? Try the sexual perverts in government for handing out some verdicts of "shame", for a start. As for "draft dodgers" not being fit to live in Israel - that is such a pathetic and imbecilic statement, but then, you probably don't know any better.

These kids are the kind of people who created Israel, not you. I am an old man who remembers the world before the creation of Israel. It would be nice if we could send you back for just one day to learn how good things are for you now.

IDF Dodgers? Is that a baseball team? But seriously, nobody I know of has ever "dodged" the draft in Israel. Some do elect not to serve out of idealogical/moral or other reasons. Some people just do not belong in the military and the IDF allows for this. As an IDF veteran who,very reluctantly, served a full three years in the 70's, I sympathize with those few who cannot or will not serve in a military organization and hold nothing against them. Thankfully the younger generations of Israeli society now accept these people without stigma.

Michael, I beg to differ with you but my skepticism and sarcasm are not sad at all. Actually I consider myself to be quite happily skeptical and sarcastic. Of course I was once young and idealistic like you but many years of living in Israel cured that. So you were somehow misquoted? You'd probably make a great politician some day, they love to point out how they were "misquoted" when their statements are criticized while casting doubts on the credibility of their critics.

Sorry to differ with you, but I made Aliyah as a very young girl, together with my Zionist parents and my brother. We came here "out of choice", and my parents were not young idealists when they made the decision. Hell, even our cocker spaniel made Aliyah. These kids can do whatever they please, but I for one am not going to praise them. As far as G-d is concerned, Jews are supposed to live here anyways. And why aren't their parents making Aliyah? (rhetorical question). I am grateful that my wonderful parents, may they rest in peace, did not have to witness what has become of Israel in recent years, because they truly loved this country. A word of advice: Be careful who you judge, old man.

Maybe you tell that to the Ultra Orthodox who refuse to serve in the IDF but continue to reap the benefits of having others serve in the IDF and protect them.

I just want to say that I have nothing against those who feel compelled to make aliyah or serve in the IDF. I made aliyah as a teenager in 1970 with my family. My parents, my sister and I decided to come to Israel because we were truly Zionist. I am just tired of hearing about young people who decide to make aliyah being treated as if they deserve some special honor. No one honored my parents who gave up a very comfortable life in the US to come to Israel with two children during a time when things were by comparison quite difficult. Nobody was waving the flag when my sister and I were drafted into the IDF but we did our duty, like everyone else because as Israelis we had to.

Why don't you visit us here and see what this country has become. Most Americans would say that the Bush/Cheney government is worse than the Olmert government. Our infrastructure is falling apart. Our economy is a shambles because of Reaganomics. People are falling from the middle class and health care is lousy even for those who can afford it. Our educational system is a failure. But, it is our fault because of our failure as citizens to vote intelligently. In time, we shall recover and again become the "city on the hill". Israel is a democracy and if you don't like things the way that they are, don't whine, act.

israelis talk about life being so hard here. please - we just love to complain about everything. life is more or less the same here as everywhere else. yeah you have to work, and this is something you have to do in all countries. a hard life? yeah what's new? it's called life anywhere in the world. stop complaining! israel is wonderful!!!