I was talking with my roommate Yulie about her obligation to the IDF. As a dual citizen, she is required to serve in the IDF but if she gets a release letter, she won't have to serve. I was trying to imagine if I was in her position, having the requirement of the army. It was unimaginable. For Yulie, she doesn't have a choice. For me, I have considered joining the IDF but it is only a choice for me. It's extremely weird to think about my future; applying to colleges, getting a job, and make a living for myself. In Yulie's position, she doesn't have to think about her future, it is already set for her for the minimum of 2 years.
I think the obligation for Israeli citizens to join the army after high school is a positive and negative aspect. Most high school students after graduating do not have any idea what they want to do with their life, so giving Israel's the time to delay the process is contributing to the positives. A negative aspect is that every Israeli citizen does not have a choice. Even if they do not want to, they have to serve their country. As for me, I would love to stand behind the state of Israel and that is because it is my choice.
If you want to read Yulie's perspective of this, check out her blog!!!
http://israelicool.blogspot.co.il/
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOne step at a time...
ReplyDeleteDeer becca.. I think the process and the discussion that you have with your self is amazing.
I do think that the first step is to try to understand the obligation that you feel torched israel.. As a jew as a individual and as a training Israeli... Sometime we understanding the obligation and the connection that the jews in the diaspora have... With that said your ability to bring something like this up is amazing i hope after gadna you understand that the idf is a army but olso and maybe more important a addiction tool. you are in your gourney with israel and judaism and i wish you allot of crossroads and questions you are a special girl and im happi to be part of your process.❤❤❤
Israeli citizens do have a choice. Many do Sherut Leumi (National service). Many get out of the army entirely. The army is not fun and games, and it is not as "good" of an entity as you are painting it to be.
ReplyDeleteThis being said, it's intriguing to be able to "choose" to do something rather than be forced to.