General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhen I served, the Israeli military was the most moral in the world. No more
Seven years later, during Operation Cast Lead, there was widespread dropping of bombs over densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip. Today, in Operation Protective Edge, the air force boasts of having released over 100 one-tonne bombs on Gaza. What was once the exception is now the policy.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/28/israeli-military-most-moral-no-more-outrage-indifference
<snip>
This is how it goes today. We notify the inhabitant about the imminent destruction of a house minutes before a bomb drops (via text messages, or by dropping a smaller bomb on the house as a warning). That is enough to turn it into a legitimate target for an air strike. In the past two weeks dozens of civilians have been killed in such strikes.
Homes of Hamas members have become legitimate targets, regardless of the number of people within their walls. Unlike in 2002, no one bothers to justify or make excuses.
Whats worse is that almost no one protests. Entire families are erased in a second, and the Israeli public remains indifferent. From year to year, from one military operation to another, our moral red lines are stretching further away. Where will they be in the next operation? Where will they be 10 years from now?
I know how hard it is to ask questions during times of conflict as a soldier. The information that the officers get in real time is always partial. Thats why the responsibility for drawing the red lines, and alerting when we cross it, lies with the public. A clear, loud voice that says that bombing a house with civilians in it is immoral must be heard. These killings cannot be accepted without question. Public silence in the face of such actions inside and outside of Israel is consent by default, and acceptance of an unacceptable price.
Read the entire piece and then weep.
You're on your own Israel.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)there is no one in that country with ANY morals anymore. I know that is not the case as I've seen the demonstrations by those who opposed Netanyahu and his gang of Right Wing war mongers.
That soldier does more good for Israel than their entire government put together.
monmouth3
(3,871 posts)the conflicts started and that makes me sad. Of course they are first Jews, but on DU I would hope they feel they can express their opinions, at least here, for us to opine on without retribution. Perhaps not but it should not be that way...
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)it has been rather heated, to say the least.
JI7
(89,240 posts)conflict as an exuse to attack.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)I see a lot of attacks on Israeli policy.
I see a lot of accusations of anti-semitism.
I see a lot of trying to cover up for Israel by making accusations of anti-semitism.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)eggplant
(3,908 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)That's quite a statement.
former9thward
(31,940 posts)Which military attempts to warn civilians of an attack? Ours does not. Who does? Who is the most moral since Israel has been displaced on your list?
countryjake
(8,554 posts)WATCH: Israeli teen refuses to serve in army, likely to face jail time Published July 28, 2014
Dozens of supporters, including past refusers, hold demonstration outside Haifa draft board office in solidarity with 19-year-old Udi Segal.
http://972mag.com/watch-israeli-teen-refuses-to-serve-in-army-likely-to-face-jail-time/94538/
countryjake
(8,554 posts)Tho I already had them (and that site) bookmarked, their message will never get old.
EvolveOrConvolve
(6,452 posts)being the tastiest turd on the plate...