As an Israel newsoutlet, the internet staff is sharing the following letter from an Israeli youth. The identity of the writer was verified by our staff.
My name is Michael Ben-Tzur. I am 17 years old, living in the Jordan Valley. I made aliyah [immigrated to Israel] in 2002 from America. I will be proudly joining the IDF in 2010. I wanted to write this letter to the IDF soldiers in Gaza to show how much I appreciate their actions and sacrifices. I am hoping this letter will reach them, raise their morale, and help them keep their chins up during this difficult time.
To all IDF soldiers in Gaza as well as other parts of Israel:
I just want to say thank you for what you are doing. You are all heroes and brave warriors in my eyes.
Ever since I made aliyah from America, I have not seen many glorifying deeds done by our military – although I believe this is due to political decisions, not our troops. During the second Lebanon war, we were given an order to retreat and pull back into Israel so that the UN could force us to sit down with the Hizbullah leaders and "stop this bloodshed."
I was extremely disappointed with this decision. I said to myself, "If these were British or American soldiers fighting in Lebanon, the world would have sat quietly and not said anything." But, because it was IDF soldiers, the world decided Israel was not allowed to fight and defend itself.
Today, I don't see the same thing happening in Gaza – a replay of Lebanon. I see our commanders and soldiers determined to fight and defend ourselves to the end. I hope we will not allow the other nations to tell us how to run our country and how to protect our people. I hope we will not bow to the pressure they are placing on us, that they will leave us alone, let us do what we need to do in order to bring true peace to our country – peace that will stay, will never leave, that there will be no more Hamas, Hizbullah, Al Quaeda, Taliban, or Fatah in Israel.
You are all doing the will of the country, and more importantly, you're doing the will of G-d. Don't ever forget that. You are all my brothers and my sisters, and G-d willing, I will meet you soon. I hope to join the Givati Unit. G-d willing, you will all come home safe.
I pray for you, all the residents of the south, as well as the rest of Israel, to live in peace. I love you all a lot and am jealous of your chance to stand tall for your country.
I am your biggest fan.
Michael Ben-Tzur