NewU: Huda Shaka: “Lonely Soldier” Glorifies Israelis

Here's Huda Shaka's letter to the editor on the AFI "Lonely Soldier" event which I blogged about previously

“Lonely Soldier” Glorifies Israelis

Shame on the Young Democrats for co-sponsoring the “Lonely Soldier” event with Anteaters for Israel. The fact that they chose to co-sponsor an event with a group like AFI, whose whole existence revolves around supporting and legitimizing the oppressive Israeli occupation of Palestine, is enough to discredit them. Moreover, this particular event glorified the Israeli Occupational Forces at a time when this military power is using unprecedented extreme force against a civilian population and committing atrocities on a daily basis.

It is very telling that both the Young Democrats and the College Republicans co-sponsored an event supporting the Israeli military when its brutal actions are being condemned worldwide. There is hardly any difference between the two parties when it comes to respecting human rights and truly standing up for peace, justice and freedom for all.

Huda Shaka’
Graduate student
Department of Chemistry

NewU Feature: A Lonely Soldier

Following up on this previous post:

Link to article

Features
A Lonely Soldier
By Reut R. Cohen
Staff Writer

Adam Harmon is an American citizen, but he once served for the Israeli Defense Forces and has written about his experiences. He spoke at UC Irvine on Monday, Nov. 6. The Anteaters for Israel co-sponsored the event with the College Republicans and the Young Democrats in order to promote what AFI called “awareness” and “coalition building” on the UC Irvine campus.

Harmon, whose book is titled “Lonely Soldier,” described himself as coming from a “typical American Jewish family.” Originally from New England, Harmon had the opportunity to visit Israel as a teenager in 1984, at which time he knew that he wanted to live there someday. In 1990, the Palestinian Intifada was well under way and Iraq was invading Kuwait. Harmon, who had only seen Israel through the eyes of a tourist, was just out of college and decided to join the Israeli military.

Harmon became known as a “chayal boded” or “lonely soldier,” the official term for a newcomer to Israel.

“On the one hand, I’m an American … but there is something about my connection to [Israel],” Harmon said, adding that each time he visited Israel, he felt “an even stronger relationship” to the country, even coming to feel that “Jerusalem [is] like home.”

The transition for Harmon was difficult because he could not speak Hebrew. He described entering the military as something new and a bit scary, but felt that he needed to do this because he “came to the country [to] build a life there.” Harmon knew that joining the Israeli Defense Forces was something that he wanted.

“Like every other Israeli, I had to serve in the army. I knew that I wanted to,” Harmon said.

In the army, Harmon, who became a paratrooper, learned much about the Israeli military culture and general way of life.

“I’m not a person who does well with authority figures,” Harmon said. “Israeli commanders didn’t scream in my face.”

Harmon suggested that the experience was “far more hospitable” than he had expected and that it was “fair.” Harmon characterized his time with the military as “good” and “positive.”

Harmon emphasized that the Israeli military is unique in its high regard for individualism. His commanders relied more on achieving agreement than on issuing commands. Harmon said that every soldier has the moral obligation to disobey an order.

Harmon also said that the “Israeli military experience is informing the American experience in Iraq today.”

Brock Hill, a fourth-year political science major and president of the College Republicans at UCI, said that the event was very engaging and that he was happy to have co-sponsored it with AFI.

“It was really informative,” Hill said. “Personally, I found this event right up my alley. I’ve always been interested in the IDF because this military is focused on urban warfare. The United States has a lot to learn from their military.”

“It was a really interesting event,” said Emily Shaaya, a second-year social ecology major and co-president of AFI. “It was a great way for AFI to work with other clubs at UCI and to educate the fellow students and community members about Israel.”

Author of Lonely Soldier coming to UCI this Monday

Flyer (JPG)

A Discussion with Staff Sergeant Adam Harmon, author of "Lonely Soldier - The Memoir of an American in the Israeli Army". The book was "completed as Israel was beginning to disengage from Gaza, [and] is a unique and thrilling glimpse into a revered, yet misunderstood institution that is integral to Middle East peace."

Monday November 6th
12:30 pm lunch
1 pm lecture

HIB (Humanities Instructional Building) Room 135
UC Irvine

Brought to you by UCI's Anteaters for Israel, The Ayn Rand Club, College Republicans, and Young Democrats in conjunction with The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

According to the flyer, UCI students and faculty are free; Community members are $8

For more information, contact eshaaya@uci.edu

UPDATE

Per a recent email from AFI, Hillel of Orange County is sponsoring the lunch.