During the past few years, our two oldest boys served in the IDF. While this might not seem a big deal on the surface to some, it was indeed to us - and not just because we are their parents, mind you.



First, we live in Miami. Let's face it folks, the weather is beautiful, the palm trees are gorgeous and the pace of tropical beach life is pretty laid back. And while most boys my son's age were starting college or various jobs in the States, our eldest, Aharon Moshe, put aside these personal ambitions for something more noble ­ volunteering his time, sweat and energy to help Am Yisroel. And so, with idealism high, he joined a Nachal Hareidi unit, completed basic training, became a sharpshooter and was praised by many of his officers as the "best soldier on the entire base." Due to a back injury, not attributed to IDF activities, he stopped active duty after a year.



Then, our second son, Sruli, soon followed his older brother's lead. He, too, rather than pursue the typical self-oriented goals of 18 and 19 year olds, joined the IDF. With pride and the sheer joy of really doing something practical to help Israel, he also completed the rigorous four months of basic training - and set the record for the most consecutive pushups on the base. While his buddies back in the good ol' USA were out there making some 'bucks' or working towards their degrees, Sruli was running more than 10 miles in the rain with full gear on and doing roadblock checks in an IDF uniform.



Needless to say, we are extremely proud and downright amazed at both of these young men and their selfless actions to truly help protect Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel. And now, our third son, Yossi, wants to follow the awesome example of his older brothers. He, too, wants to give of his time and efforts to truly help the cause; he wants to join the IDF.



Only now, I cry bitter tears as I try to stand in his way and talk him out of this decision. You see, a very big "monkey-wrench" has been thrown into the equation. But it's not my attitude that has changed. It is not that I've wimped-out, or become, as some might say, a "Galut Jew" with a "Galut attitude". You know the kind, always bending over backwards to show we're not too pro-Israel, not too Jewish; or always seeking approval and trying to find favor in that ridiculous political concept known as "world opinion". No, that's not it at all.



This time, the monkey-wrench has been cast by none other than Israel's own prime minister, Ariel Sharon, and his government. The decision to forcibly remove Jews from their homes in the land of Israel might be something you would expect from an Arab nation, or even England in the pre-1948 period. The fact that a Jewish leader in the Jewish homeland would create (and force through) such a policy defies not only common sense, but simply boggles the mind. It is a formula for disaster, no matter how one approaches the topic.



First of all, the land-for-peace notion has absolutely never worked with the Muslims. Historically, it's basically never worked with anyone, except those who wanted peace, and thus don't murder anyway. The land-for-peace misguided notion only serves to "whet the appetite" of the real aggressors. Remember all those countries who made "temporary" deals with the Nazis? A lot of good it did them. It might buy some time for those who truly desire peace (Israel) ­ the Palestinians may even stop, or cut back, on the suicide and murder missions in Israel, but it has always been their goal to get most, if not all, of Israel.



In the "new deal" the Palestinians have got a great thing going. New homes, gardens, forests, acres of worked land, buildings, offices, streets - and it's all theirs without them having to do a blooming stitch of work for it. Unless, of course, you consider terrorism work, then I guess you could say the Palestinian unemployment rate was mighty low.



Second, no matter what the government says, it reinforces the entire negative, hate-based culture of the Palestinians. It borders on the absurd to give back anything to a group of people that still teach and preach hatred of Jews and anything that smells Israeli. From the time a Palestinian baby is mere months out of the womb, his loving parents sing him to sleep with suicide bomber lullabies. The land of Israel isn't to be found in any "enlightened" Palestinian school textbook. Any Nazi would beam with pride at the Palestinian educational system. This is a people that, under the best of circumstances, one needs to be extremely wary about any sort of deals with ­ let alone giving them back huge chunks of Israel's terribly hard-fought real-estate.



It is difficult enough to have one's children in the army. One does a lot of praying and gives up a lot of sleep. And yet, I always felt tremendous pride and admiration for my kids giving up so much to contribute to a higher cause. But now, with great distress, I have to tell our Yossi, "Not this time. Not yet."



To serve in the IDF to help Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel ­ what could be better? What could bring a parent greater nachat? But to send my child to Israel to help evict Jews from their homes, from their lands, for which we've given, as a nation, our very blood, sweat and tears? Never!



Maybe in the future, let's hope not too far away, an Israeli government will come into power that is proud of its heritage and calling, and will not be ashamed to tell the world, "This is our land, our eternal inheritance, and we will grow and flourish within it. Yes, we will reach out to others in peace and cooperation, but, at the same time, we will do everything in our power to protect our citizens and our right to exist."



I hope Yossi doesn't have to wait too long.