Would Noam’s sitting in jail contribute to an end to the Occupation? Probably not.

If Noam serves his miluim in the Territories, will he be a force for good, or a force for evil? I would suggest that since the Occupation is currently a fact of life, we need all the sympathetic caring soldiers there that we can muster, to put the brakes on those who would be abusive.

Israel cannot actually end the Occupation unilaterally — look at what happened to Gaza. It requires negotiation and coordination with the PA. Until we reach an agreement, let’s at least see that the Occupation is conducted as humanely as possible.

How could you?

Noam W

To find peace those people from either side who hold common beliefs of peace must bond together for they will be the hope and strength for a peaceful future.

It is easy to get lazy for some people, and hard to live by your morals in an environment where the people you love think you are being a traitor. But that is what strong people do. It is not just ‘the age thing’ or becoming a family man because if you were Palestinian you would not lose your will to make a home for your family and a country for your people.

The fact is there would be no occupation if there were not people willing to be occupiers. For some people it is easier being the enemy for one more day than to endure having your family and acquaintances and the state treat you as a traitor.

I really hope someday Israelis have the courage and strength it takes to do what is right. And if they don’t, I hope the International Community forces Israel by hook or by crook to comply by Rules of Decency.

I may have indeed been harsh but – I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t Noam – who fought so hard! Gave so much! Served prison time for his convictions, for heaven’s sake! And – no longer?

I can’t say I’m disappointed because – well he owes me nothing at the end of the day – but rather, I’m frustrated. Because if a guy like him gives up (a more accurate term than ‘gives in’ which I previously used) then who will stand for the moral ground?

No, I can’t blame you for being tired. Or maybe I could, but I have a generally decent idea of how hard it is to be an engaged pro-peace activist.
And there’s a million reasons why we sometimes choose to, or are forced to, take off the boxing gloves. I can understand that. Age, responsibilities, children, general disillusionment, or even the feeling that you’ve done your part and that now it’s up to the next generation to contribute. I don’t know. And I can’t judge.

But allow me to disagree with your assertion of “he always was (the enemy)– it doesn’t really matter if he’s in uniform or not”.
Yes, but – no. (how well argumented was that! ) While I can only speak for myself, I’m pretty sure most people will think the same way… People are judged on an individual basis. Unfortunately, behind an army uniform, it’s more difficult to see the person inside. (actually, I don’t care much to know who’s inside the uniform. I’m rather keen on getting as far away as possible).
And the good ones, the Noams, will be lost in the mass of jerks. I would be sad if that happens.

I am assuming that you are not writing your comment from a jail cell.

Please go away now. You are detracting from an otherwise respectful, intelligent conversation.

Many in Australia have been waging war against various governments for locking up innocent refugees.

Not a single one of us will take one step back and say “it’s OK now you can lock up refugees.

Who the fuck do you people think you are persecuting and tormenting the Palestinians just because you can?

First let me say that you were indeed harsh – but you managed to be so with the utmost respect, while voicing a very legitimate opinion and I think you should be commended for that. Other talkbackers on the conflict usually go down an ugly route. We see it on all the blogs. So, props!

As for you saying that Noam’s excuse is “lame”, I think we must look exactly at what he wrote. I don’t think he was talking only about the “explaining” part of the issue, as you wrote in your response. To me it seems (and forgive me if I’m putting words in Noam’s mouth), it was about the whole emotional process, which I think he was right to say that not many non-Israeli can understand. Almost as if it would be hard for me (in fact, impossible) to understand how you felt “at the other end of the rifle”. I can only imagine. I mean, let’s face it: at the end of the day, this whole thing is about not understanding each other’s emotions. Not understanding a connection to a piece of land, to a holy site, not understanding the fear of a terror attack, or an f-16 over your refugee camp.

As for your last sentence (boy, do I go into detail!), first, I don’t think Noam chose to be the enemy again. In a way, he always was – it doesn’t really matter if he’s in uniform or not. At the end of the day, we are all occupiers, whether we vote for the left or the right.

And lastly, you say he has “given in”. Harsh words. And they may be true, I’m not saying they’re not. I can’t speak for Noam on this one, but as for myself, I think that on many fronts, yes, I have given in. I wonder sometime, is it an age thing? Becoming the family man? Where did that feisty guy in his twenties go? I used to go to all the demos, sign all the petitions, argue at any chance… And now? Now I’m more like “Ah, f-ck ‘em. Let ‘em kill each other”. Is this the usual “getting old” syndrome? Like all those Woodstock hippies who became doctors and lawyers and cared about nothing else but status and money?

I gotta tell you, it’s hard being a leftist in Israel. You’re looked at as a traitor, then the concensus accepts the ideas you’ve promoted all along, and you’re still hated. A lot of us are tired. I’m tired. Can you blame me? Maybe you can, but…. ah, f-ck it…

Allow me to be a tad dramatic here, but having been on the wrong end of that rifle you’re holding, I am tempted to find that going back on your position to serve in the Territories because you “did not want to go through the process of explaining your position all over again” is a, hmm, rather lame excuse.

My respect for you isn’t lessened of course, but to put it bluntly, for the next 10 days, you have chosen to be the enemy, and have given in to what you once fought against.

I wish you safety. Apologies if I am being harsh.