posted
I'm going back to the US next year. No extra year in Israel for Raia.
Oh, and incidentally... EuropeCon -- I'm sorry, Jatraqueros, but I can't make it. The flight from the US is far more expensive than from Israel.
Posts: 7877 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
Raia, I'm sorry you don't get to spend your extra year in Israel, but we will love to have you back here. (we meaning all of my personalities and I of course)
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
Val, really? I wonder why... I know my e-mail's working... *hugs* Thanks anyway, though, for trying.
And (((((everyone else))))) Thanks. I appreciate it. I mean, eventually I'll start feeling happy, I'm going to a good school, I'll be near my friends, but for the time being, I'm kind of upset.
Posts: 7877 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
If I understood her LJ correctly, the military wants her to do her national service (two years !) and since she doesn't want to lie to avoid that, the only other way is to come back to the USA, because if she stays she will be forced to enter the army.
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
There's another thing I forgot to say, both in my post here and in the Email I've sent you:
I respect you very much for not choosing the easy way out. As tempting as it was, and despite the consequences, you didn't deceit the government. I'm sure others are proud of you too.
posted
I know nothing of your situation, so I am not judging.
But why do you not want to serve? It is an incredible experience, and you would form friendships that last a lifetime (maybe even the stereotypical husband in basic training <g>).
Posts: 289 | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote:But why do you not want to serve? It is an incredible experience,
I'm not sure how dangerous service in Israeli military is, but it's definitely not as safe as not serving.
As for myself, if service was obligatory for women in Poland I'd marry the first hatracker who'd accept me. For real. I think forced military service (for two years!) is stupid. I like to be alive, and I like to be able to do what I want to , and I'm terrible at all physical exercises they'd make me do.
Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
Hey, Krav Maga has its uses. Especially when creepy boys follow you around and ask you for kisses n' junk.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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quote: I'm not sure how dangerous service in Israeli military is, but it's definitely not as safe as not serving.
Women are not obligated to combat service. As a matter of fact, they must undergo special selection phases if they want to become real warriors. There are many other things to do in the army: adjutancy, military intelligence, and various technological and academic positions.
quote: I think forced military service (for two years!) is stupid.
Forced military service in Poland might be stupid. But in Israel, which is under constant existential danger from the day it was founded, cannot afford to give up on the obligatory service system, nor the recruitment of reserve forces in special cases.
quote: I like to be alive, and I like to be able to do what I want to , and I'm terrible at all physical exercises they'd make me do.
Like any normal human being. But I think that if you were brought up in a state like Israel, you would have seen this service as part of the normal course of your life.
Posts: 803 | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
*Wanders into thread. Sees Kama and Beanny sitting in opposite corners with their noses in the air. Giggles. Wanders back out of thread...*
Posts: 1528 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
I didn't want to start anything. I just regard my service (as a programmer) as a truly special time where I met some of my best friends. So I'm curious about Raia's reason.
Posts: 289 | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I am sorry this ultimatum exists for you, Raia, and about your grandfather, as well. I can say, though, that he is fortunate to have a granddaughter of conscience.
Posts: 17164 | Registered: Jun 2001
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quote: So Raia, once you leave, will you ever be able to go back to Israel again?
She will only be allowed in the country for four months out of the year until she is beyond the age of service (25 I think), if she stays for a day more than 4 months in a year though, she can be drafted.
quote: But why do you not want to serve? It is an incredible experience, and you would form friendships that last a lifetime (maybe even the stereotypical husband in basic training <g>).
You see, Raia has spent most of her life living elsewhere, and until about a year ago, didn't even consider living in Israel for any amount of time. So unlike other Israeli born children, she hasn't grown up/been raised with the mindset that she'll have to serve. She also doesn't want (last i checked) to stay in Israel for the sake of being in Israel, she wants to stay with her grandfather, who is dieing. If she stayed and opted to do the military service like the law requires of her, then she'd only get to see him while she was on leave.
Now keep in mind, I'm not Raia, but to the best of my knowledge (which may or may not be as good as i think it is) these are her stances on those things, and I for one stand behind her.
Posts: 1094 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Ok, I was just wondering if it was a case where if she ever flew back to Israel they'd have a military escort waiting for her to take her the nearest boot camp or not.
posted
Thanks, Stryker, you pretty much nailed it. There's only one thing you said that I disagree with:
quote: She also doesn't want (last i checked) to stay in Israel for the sake of being in Israel, she wants to stay with her grandfather, who is dieing.
It's true that I want to be with my grandfather, but he wasn't the only reason I wanted to stay another year. Being in Israel for the sake of being in Israel is rewarding in and of itself, but my grandfather was a definite reason to make it this year as opposed to several years from now, when the draft issue is no longer a problem. I think the age after which they no longer need me is 22, or 23. After that, as far as they're concerned, I can come live here. Up until then, only four months, like you said.
Posts: 7877 | Registered: Feb 2003
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