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Gun-wielding IDF soldier in bikini becomes viral hit
Daniel Batini
Published: 16.07.12, 20:02
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1. Question
Puzzled   (07.16.12)
Why does she need a rifle at the beach? Is she on duty or is she private and wants to protect herself, but against whom? And even if somebody attacks her, does she really want to shoot with an automatic rifle at the beach with children running around? Wouldn't pepper spray be the better option.
2. Answer for #1
Paul ,   South Africa   (07.16.12)
She is an Israeli soldier who happens to be off duty at this time. If she took her weapon out of the base, she has to have it on herself at all times - simple military regulations. She is not at the beach trying doing protection duty. Its quite common in Israel.
3. #1
moti ,   rbs   (07.16.12)
shes on duty! taking a break!
4. @1 answer
(07.16.12)
in israel, any person in the military, guy or girl, by law is forced to carry an automatic rifle anywhere they go. it is against military rule to leave your gun unattended at all times. as a soldier, on duty, you must, must carry your gun at all times and never leave it. this is rule number one. it is known that terrorist sometimes come into israel via the sea. this is why beach patrol is necessary whether in bikinis or in military uniforms. the gun is loaded at all times and is ready for defense so there is no need for storage of additional magazines for that gun. israeli army and defense forces are very informal compared to other armies in the world. during any defense activity, there is no line of difference between the lowliest of soldiers and their commanders. all are on the same level during a crises which is different than any other army protocol in other nations. she is there for defense and, believe me, each and every israeli soldier, whether female or male, will never ever compromise the safety of any beach goer around them in case they need to shoot. they are very well trained. you do not fight a terrorist coming via the sea to kill beach goers or bomb the beach with pepper spray. this may be done in a suicidal politically correct country like the usa or europe, but never in israel. this is the difference between us and you in the usa. we do not ask questions or try to be politically correct. we defend what is ours. israeli soldier, reserves
5. Whats her phone number?
CASANOVA   (07.16.12)
6. #1
Airborne ,   Jerusalem   (07.16.12)
Obviously you are not familiar with Israel and you just made yourself look like a fool. Every soldier must carry their personal weapon on them 24/7. You can see the weapon is not for immediate protection as their is no magazine nor is she carrying one so no, she will not shoot up the beach with children running around. You can see soldiers all the time in public places with their weapons minus the magazine.
7. She is protecting us all
Neil ,   Leeds UK   (07.16.12)
From terrorists. The fact that an armed presence is required on the beach is a sad indictment of the terrorists. The fact she is in a bikini is an endorsement of Israel's free and western democratic values.
8. to #1
Jon   (07.16.12)
It isn't so much an issue of protection. As the article said, any time they leave their base with their weapon, it must remain with them at all times. This is so that it isn't left lying around where it can be lost or stolen.
9. Answer to "Puzzled"
RGP ,   Haifa   (07.16.12)
You are barking up the wrong tree. A soldier who is issued a gun must carry it at all times, except when it can be locked away at home. So this girl soldier stopped at the beach, but she had to keep her gun on her.
10. # 1
Birdi ,   Israel   (07.16.12)
The following is written in this article. ''Members of the Israeli military are required to carry their weapons at all times if they are taken outside their base''
11. @1
Ilana   (07.16.12)
SHe probably most likely does not need a rifle at the beach. However, she is most probably a soldier in the IDF, looks the right age, and if she is one who has a weapon, it has to be on her all the time. If it isnt, it can get stolen, go to the wrong hands and that would end badly for all, including her. Assuming that she is IDF (99.999%), she would know exactly how to use it should need be, without injuring civilians. The magazine was left elsewhere and it is most probably, hopefully not loaded. NOt really unusual to see anywhere in Israel, as you can see, nobody around is paying attention to her and her gun.
12. From the Israeli soldiers I've met, it's a question of...
A. ,   UK and Israel   (07.16.12)
self-esteem. A lot of them volunteer for combat units just so they can swagger through Tel Aviv with a rifle slung over their shoulder. Sad, but true.
13. @7: Well said! Totally agree.
JJ ,   San Francisco   (07.16.12)
14. London Olympics,her she comes?
Ian ,   Newcastle upon Tyne   (07.16.12)
If she's a member of Israel's Beach Volleyball team,the other competitors had better be careful. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!
15. Sun reader?
Mike B ,   London   (07.16.12)
"The Sun" and 'reader'. It doesn't make sense does it? Whoever made the anti-Israel comments has probably never had a good thing to say about Israel anyway.
16. Israel - The Pinacle Of Paranoia
World Citizen ,   the world   (07.16.12)
This is the Israeli mindset. Someone is going to get you on a tourist filled beach at midday.
17. IDF
Cheryl ,   Chicago, IL   (07.16.12)
After seeing this, the Haredi have decided to join the IDF!
18. 14
zionist forever   (07.16.12)
i think its safe to say the israeli olympic beach volleyball team will win gold. How many judges want to mess with a volleyball team that carry M16s? Not unusual though although just the sight of soldiers all over the streets can be a shock to many westerners let alone people in civilian clothes carrying a rifle because when the soldiers do not leave their weapon on the base when on leave the way they do in the British army
19. Automatic Rifle # 1
Eagelbeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (07.16.12)
Just because a weapon is capable of automatic fire does not mean it is not capapble of selective fire. Pepper spray is not the ideal weapon for terrorists, rapists, or child molesters. What she was carrying is ideal.
20. Gun without IDF uniform against regs?
james ,   uk/il   (07.16.12)
Im sure she cant wear a gun without uniform? any israelis can give an answere.
21. #1 You NOT Have Been in ANY Military?
(07.16.12)
Active Duty= Carry My Weapon!!! With A Tushy Like That She doesn't Need A Weapon To Stop Me In My Tracks!!!
22. She need respect
Pedro ,   Brazil   (07.16.12)
Because in case of terror atack in the beach, the first terrorist shot maybe be directed to her, as well she would be the first in the scene to protect the civilians..
23. #16 Reality thanks to your Arab brothers
Cynthia ,   USA   (07.16.12)
There have been attacks on beach resorts in Sinai, restaurants, discos, schools, universities, homes, buses etc.
24. 20
zionist forever   (07.16.12)
She can wear a gun without uniform she is on leave but unlike in the UK in Israel soldiers do not leave their guns locked up at the base they must be kept with them at all times so she wants to go to the beach she has to bring her gun along. I spent 1 year in the IDF when I moved to Israel because as I was older than 18 but still of military age I had to serve some time... no idea why they didn't wither exempt me or make me do full term. Anyway I remember how I felt so stupid at times being home on leave but having to bring the gun everywhere. Going to something like the movies can wear shorts , t shirt & sandals etc but got a gun slung over my shoulder. Just remember thinking how I am not on duty now, I am not in uniform but I got this gun with me what will people think? First few times I was paranoid about it then you just get used to it.
25. M16
Mordechai ,   Beit Shemesh   (07.16.12)
Maybe it is her boy friend's and she is looking after it whilst he swims/plays flat bat! - (an Israeli beach ball game)
26. Re Soldier at the Beach
Marty ,   Toronto, Canada   (07.16.12)
I would much rather see this than a photo from Gaza entitled "Burka's at the Beach"
27. Well World Citizen / 16
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (07.16.12)
They won't get her. A lot of people try to get Jews any place at any time. You probably don't have to worry about that because people would figure your not worth the effort.
28. grow up, dummy
postroad ,   USA   (07.16.12)
hardly paranoia. IDF carry weapons coming and going to posts and in between relaxing...note that nobody around her is running or yelling. Only the dope commenting
29. very odd
postroad ,   USA   (07.16.12)
that comments here often show they know nothing whatsoever about how IDF functions, on and off plost...as for the comment that she carries weapon to swagger: from what I can see of that hyoung woman, she has no neeed of a gun to "swagger."
30. # 12
Birdi ,   Israel   (07.16.12)
True? You wouldnt know what truth means if it hit you in your face. Quit babbling rubbish.
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