Solidarity I

It began with rumours in various countries that the health system would very soon have to prioritise life-saving treatment. Priority was said to be given to the under 70s, or some said under 60s. 

Some American voices could be heard saying that the older generation would gladly die to save the economy for the younger one. Does anyone, anyone at all, believe that these disgusting Republicans do not have personal arrangements to ensure that when push comes to shove, they would be given access to the treatment? That they personally would not have to pay the price, which they suggest the rest of the old population should?

A few days ago, the 80-year-old Israeli philosopher, Asa Kasher, whose claim to fame was writing the ethical code for the Israeli army (sounds like a contradiction-in-terms), wrote an article, all up-in-arms about this suggestion that a 50-year-old should have priority over a 90-year-old. 

It is wonderful what the eye of the beholder can do. With that understanding, Kasher, if he is up to it, may wish to spend his remaining days to ponder, how a Palestinian would write the ethical code for the Israeli army.

A Land to Die For?

Theo Press has considered the various suggestions sent in by participants in the title competition and has decided to name my book that is due to be out at the end of October:

A Land to Die For?   Soldier Talk and Moral Reflections of Young Israelis

The prize winner has been notified.

Ahmadinejad - Go Green

Recently, several cadets, at the Israeli army’s officers-school walked out of a military ceremony because of the participation of female soldiers in the choir that sang in the ceremony. This – they and their rabbis said – was contrary to Jewish halachic teaching. An ultraorthodox soldier has warned: “We'll find a way to get out of the IDF because it has betrayed us." As it is, thousands of ultra-orthodox get out of serving in the army through an exemption clause that allows them not to serve provided they are full time yeshiva students. This option is not given to any other group in Israel.

Orthodox Students, who do enlist, organised a petition addressed to the IDF’s Chief of Staff in which they warned, "Anti-religious commands create an impossible reality for a religious soldier after which, the future remains unknown."

Now, Mr Gaffni, a senior orthodox Member of Parliament has advised ultra orthodox Israelis not to enlist because “the army will turn you into a different person.” If the army wants to enlist the ultra-orthodox, he said, “it must adjust itself to accommodate their beliefs.”

I had always thought that agitating against enlisting was illegal. I was evidently wrong. Gaffni is right, “the army will turn you into a different person,” it may even get you killed. According to my beliefs, getting killed is even worse than listening to a woman singing. Therefore, I would advise all young Israelis not to enlist.

And a piece of advice to Mr Ahmadinejad: save yourself a lot of money and as an added bonus, get the support of the Greens. To fight the "Zionist enemy", get rid of of your nuclear weapons, just hire some females to sing at Israel's borders. Remember the walls of Jericho?

Is Civil War the Only Solution for Israel?

Israel is deteriorating and it is deteriorating fast. In the past, intransigent Israeli prime ministers such as Golda Meir or Yitzhak Shamir used prevarication as a strategy to put off a compromise with the Arabs. Now this could be the cleverest option for the Palestinians: hold out for a bit longer and the Zionist experiment will implode.

The extreme right has been permitted to thrive under consecutive Israeli administrations ever since 1967 (and that includes much to Israel’s shame, Labour party administrations). Yesterday, yet another peak was reached when right wing settler activists attacked an Israeli army-base in the occupied West Bank. They threw rocks, burned tires and vandalised military vehicles. A senior IDF officer was hit in the head by a rock thrown at him by one of the Jewish terrorists.

Jewish settlers have been terrorising Palestinians for many years. Occasionally, when they feel that they do not get enough support from the army for their outrageous behaviour, they attack the army.

Is it possible that civil war is the only solution that will save Israel? We are unlikely to find out, as the left of centre in Israel will not really go all the way.