Israel has become my second home ever since I traveled to the Holy Land twice. The first time I went was when I was sixteen, and I had the opportunity to live there for a month as part of a NYFTY summer program. The second time was a year ago when I went with my college for my Birthright trip. During both journeys, I learned many important lessons about Israel's history from the establishment of their country, to the culture surrounding the various cities. However, one of the many important lessons I took away from Israel was learning to appreciate my college education. It might seem like an usual takeaway after everything I experienced in that amazing country. But, there's a reason behind it, so hear me out. While it's voluntary to join a branch of the United States military; it's a requirement for most Israeli citizen to join the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) at the age of 18. Women must serve for 2 years, and men must serve for 3.
As I began to embark on my college journey at 18, my Israeli friends I met on my NYFTY program were preparing to serve their country. Sometimes when we messaged each other on Facebook, they told me fascinating stories about the army and the friends they met along the way. Other times, I'd message them to see if they were ok when I watched news footage of Israel being under attack by terrorists. They always sent me messages of bravery, and stated that they had fate in the IDF for keeping their country safe. No matter what, I always pray for the safety of Israel, and the safety of my friends serving in the IDF.
Recently, while my dad was flipping through the channels on the family room television, I came across a harrowing story that occurred in Israel. My heart began pounding excessively as I read the caption on the bottom of the news screen. Four Israeli soldiers had died after a terrorist truck attack. They were later identified as 20-year old Yael Yekutiel, 22-year-old Shir Hajaj, 20-year-old Shira Tzur, and 20-year-old Erez Orbach. Many people began assuming it was an ISIS attack, after several truck deaths were lead by the group in Nice, France and Berlin, Germany in 2016. ISIS, however did not claim responsibility for the terrorist act.
It was later revealed that the attack was carried out by a Palestinian named Qunbor. Qunbor was a resident of the "Israeli-annexed Eastern Jerusalem" (mirror.co.uk), and was a father of 4. Nine residents living in his town were arrested by the Israeli police (including 5 of his relatives) due to the skepticism that they aided him in the truck attack. While news articles began publishing various information about the possible reasoning behind the attack (ISIS related, Palestinian-Israel conflict, etc.) it is still unclear about the true motive of these horrific murders. However, the majority of these authors who have written articles about the attack are so focused on Qunbor, and the lack of American political reaction to the attack, that they have forgotten about the most important detail. Remembering the young soldiers who died. Not to mention, the fact that these soldiers probably had goals after leaving the IDF. Yet, what seems to bother me the most is that these soldiers were my age!
After I witnessed on the TV what happened the soldiers, I kept on thinking two things in my head. One, it could have been me. I'm not trying to make this about myself (and I would never do such a thing), but the fact that the attack happened in a tourist cite in Jerusalem, and I walked around the city many times while I was in Israel, I thought to myself in a terrified and shocked matter, "I was there not that long ago".
Two, it could have been my friends currently serving in the IDF. I thank G-d that it was not them, and I always ask Him to protect my friends from any danger lurking ahead. Sometimes, when I've heard news stories about terrorist attacks in Israel, I'd become the worried Jewish mom and ask them if everything is ok, and I always ensure that if they need a safe place to stay, that my door in America is always open to them and their family. Maybe I'm just a paranoid person in general, but I would never want to imagine them getting caught in any terrorist conflict.
Three, those soldiers who died were my age (again not trying to make this about me). They'll never get to see the ball drop in 2018, go home to their families and friends, experience parenthood, or live their lives to the fullest. Billy Joel once wrote a song titled, "Only the Good Die Young". But why must that happen to those fighting for their country? Why do those doing good for their country, at only 20 and 22 years of age die so young?
You could easily state that some people experience death earlier than others. The fact that this happened in my "second home", and these Israeli soldiers were so close to my age (and I've never experienced what it's like to serve for country at such a young age), makes me want to thank every Israeli soldier supporting their nation, and remember the soldiers who passed away.
To those currently serving in the IDF, I support you and thank you for keeping Israel safe. To the 4 soldiers who recently died in the attack, thank you for keeping Israel safe, and your memory will be a blessing.
