This is what SK from the USA commented on my first post on the Generation Z blog:

"Yishai, how about saying something interesting, like how you justify serving in the IDF given that its main functions are now political, including politically motivated expulsions? Please also address the issue of the danger that the Israeli political stratum puts the soldiers in to protect their Muslim buddies. In other words, try not to be boring."

Dear Sk,

Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I will certainly attempt not to bore you or waste your time.

Here are a few answers to your questions:

A: Although I lament that our underdeveloped government uses the army as a tool for half victories, I certainly see serving in the Israeli army as justified because:

1. Most of what the army does is patrol the borders, stop suicide bombers, and intercept arms transfers. When one is uniform, one can expect to be working for the security of the State of Israel. That is most of the time. So most of the time it is quite worth it.

2. When this country does wake up, I will be a trained soldier ready not just with words, but with the ability to use a weapon and familiar with the tactics of the IDF. We have lots of enemies. Granted, some of the worst are within our state and within our people. But I want to stay sharp. I also volunteer in Beit El's rapid response anti-terror team. In short, I want to be ready.

3. I am also obligated by law to serve in the reserves.

4. I love the IDF: I love to meet fellow Israelis, speak good ole' Hebrew, and see the real countryside. I also love to be a soldier in the first Jewish army in 2000 years. Our army needs identity, and people like myself with a clear opinion of Israel's true nature, help create that identity.

B. Our government does want to win. Win a battle that is. They don't wan't to win the war, they don't want to vanquish the enemies. There is a difference between winning and vanquishing. They want to win a very limited set of circumstances: peace and quiet for a few years. They don't want to win the whole kit-&-kaboodle. They would like to cut the weed, but not uproot it. Uprooting means resettling Gaza, and resettling Gaza means the Disengagement was wrong. And that means that the whole land-giveaway plan is wrong. And that means that they were wrong. And that is something they cannot stand. It also means that we must have to have a different strategy - and they cannot figure it out.

The very places in our precious land which we ethnically cleanse of Jews in favor of giving it to our sworn enemies become the forward bases for the Phillistine Jihad terror. When we reject G-d's gifts, they turn against us. Shechem. South Lebanon. Gaza. Reject G-d's gift, give land to the insatiable monster, and you've just created your worst nightmare. Duh!

Indeed there is much to fix here in our little country. But you know what, I'd rather be here on my land, dealing with these issues, and trying to shape conscienceness, than anywhere else in the world. We, Jews in Israel, that is Israelis, are in a growing process, we are still ingathering and learning about ourselves and each other. We will get through this. Our army will one day soon evict those who hate us, and bring peace and security to the whole Middle East.

Once again SK, sorry to have bored you. I hope you will let me make it up to you in future blogs.

Yishai