The Militarization of Israel

There was a very interesting presentation during our mid-term orientation when we toured Israel.  The presenter was Ruth Hiller of the New Profile organization.  http://www.newprofile.org/english.  It was the second time I have heard her speak.   The first time was at the Sabeel Conference I attended last Fall at Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

Ruth was born in the United States and came to Israel at the age of 17 to live in a kibbutz.  She is a citizen of the state of Israel, continuing to reside there while she and her husband raise their 6 children.   Her two older children were girls and when they graduated from high school they served a 2 year term in the military.  All women and men are expected to serve in the military after high school and before college.  Israel expects women to serve 2 years and men to serve 3 years.  When her 3^rd child (a son) was age 15 he told his family he did not want to serve in the military.  Since there has always been open communication and dialogue for everyone in the family, he voiced his decision quite adamantly to the rest of the family.  As a conscientious objector he told his family that he could not serve in the military.  It took 6 years before he was officially released from his obligation.  He and his family worked very hard to avoid imprisonment as a punishment for going “against the grain” so to speak.  There are other reasons men and women are excused from serving in the military such as religious or medical reasons but Israel does not recognize conscientious objection as a valid excuse.

Ruth said that New Profile was formed in October of 1998.  She has been a co-chair of this organization since that time.  She said:  “Our focus was to change the military mindset profile for the people of Israel.”  They work as teams to help teenagers who are questioning the system discern their decision about military service.  They offer support to allow people to think and explore other options.  Ruth gave several examples to the group about the subtle and not so subtle means by which defending the State of Israel is the number one priority for Israeli families.

She stated that the Israeli defense budget is 20% of their total budget, which is the highest military budget of any nation in the world.  Israel is also a democracy giving people the right to live as citizens with all the freedoms a democracy implies.  Since they have occupied Palestine for the last 43 years, it has taken a tremendous military work force to accomplish everything they have set up.  It takes lots of young people and much money to operate all the roadblocks, checkpoints, and various zones.  The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) protects the settlements built illegally on Palestinian land in addition to the borders, the Separation Barriers and all the designated areas.  Military service is promoted and glamorized.  But in actuality they receive very low pay as young people.  However, making a career in the military has many benefits and advantages. 

Parents are expected to assist their children monetarily as well as emotionally while they are in the service.  Parents and teachers are expected to promote national pride and the military idea from an early age.  “Never  Auschwitz Again” is a constant refrain that keeps the military mechanisms in place.   The Palestinian Occupation requires an Israeli military presence everywhere on the West Bank. 

Picture taken at peaceful demonstration in Hebron
by EA Erja S.

Since coming here to work with EAPPI, I have often wondered why there are Israeli checkpoints between Palestine villages if the whole purpose is security.   The answer is partially because land is consistently being taken from Palestinians.  



Road blocked to village of Shufa after establishment of
 settlement--giving settlers' and soldiers' vehicles access
while denying use to villagers. We walked a mile uphill!! 

Once a settlement is established, the settlers ask the government to “protect” them and link them up with Israel.  That means that land is confiscated for roads, schools and infrastructure.  And this means that more soldiers are needed.  The IDF allows settlers the right to be armed with weapons while it is illegal for Palestinians to have weapons. 



Checkpoint near Nablus

Commerce is becoming increasingly difficult for Palestinians as their land is being confiscated--split up like a jig saw puzzle.  Palestinians watch helplessly as the IDF defend the taking of their land and livelihoods.  All of this contributes to high unemployment.

And so after my trip into Israel and as I return home to my EAPPI placement in Tulkarm I have many more questions than answers. 

Susanne

p.s.  You might go to this site to read the charter of New Profile.  It is very interesting.

http://www.newprofile.org/english/?cat=7