A moral army. Some may consider this idea an oxymoron.
As armies are often used offensively, so may they just as vigorously be called upon to act defensively. Such is the Herculean task currently being asked of the Israel Defense Forces as they battle the war on terrorism.
The IDF is the quintessential people’s army. With few exceptions, every young person is drafted into military service following completion of high school. Every facet of Israeli society is therefore represented, be it privileged, secular or pacifist. Serving in the army is a rite of passage for Israeli youth, the great equalizer for a nation of sabras and immigrants alike.
We have all met the youth of today’s Israel. They are courteous and respectful, and often mature beyond their years. Is it possible that 18 years of morality and human respect disappear when a new recruit puts on an IDF uniform? Is it conceivable that the Israeli youth we know change into immoral thugs after just the three months of basic training? When all male citizens (to the age of 45) perform their annual 30 days of reservist duty, do they check their compassion at the army base entrance?
Without a doubt, the State of Israel is today trapped in a quagmire of hate and violence. However, we were dragged into this current situation by terrorists willing to spill their own blood, and by terrorist leaders anxious to claim their authority over the bodies of innocents. Our neighborhoods have become makeshift morgues, our streets a battlefront.
What country in the world would not react when a visit to a pizzeria in Jerusalem, a disco in Tel Aviv, a seder in Netanya or a poolhall in Rishon LeZion turns into a death sentence? The IDF is a reactionary brigade, fighting back the evil of terror on its own territory.
For the first time in history, America now finds itself in the same position that Israel has lived — and died — with these past 54 years. Terrorism has now added New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania as trophies. As a result, U.S. armed forces have joined the battle to defeat terrorists, both at home and abroad.
America’s response to the war on terror has been overwhelmingly approved by its citizens, while the world has condemned Israel for its actions.
The response of countries other than Israel to war has been to fire missiles from a safe distance, in the hope that targets will be destroyed and enemy leaders killed. Civilian casualties are deemed an unfortunate, yet expected consequence.
Israel, with great risk to its soldiers, has instead decided to arrest wanted terrorists by searching house-to-house in enemy territory. Aware of the risks of booby-trapped buildings, the IDF would rather risk the life of a soldier than kill civilians in a missile attack.
Israel will not kill a captured terrorist, no matter how heinous his or her crime. And let us remember that the IDF has never gone into battle, other than to defend its own borders. The only instances in which uniformed Israeli troops have been used in other countries have involved humanitarian disaster relief, or the rescue of Israel’s citizens from the hands of terrorists.
During my three-year military service, one of my missions was to search vehicles crossing a checkpoint into Jerusalem. The daily orders included not only the prevention of terror, but also to treat every passenger with dignity and respect.
Every person was to be questioned as if a member of my own family. This order was strictly enforced, under penalty of court martial. There was no entertainment in disrespecting Arabs, no joy in humiliating Palestinians. Today, the same rules apply to all soldiers.
Critics have claimed that recent world reaction has caused Israel to take a defensive position about its military tactics.
In truth, taking a defensive position has always been the case.
Ours is a moral victory. In a moral army.
Nir Barkin is the community shaliach (emissary for Israel) and the head of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Israel Resource Center.
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