The Columnist Manifesto

Uniformed Israeli Defense Force soldiers on leave are a ubiquitous sight around here. In contrast to the "volunteer army" in the U.S., the IDF is drawn from all segments of society because of nationwide compulsory service. Their morale and fighting discipline is not made to depend on forming them as "a breed apart" from civilians, and so they move comfortably among civilians as they enjoy their weekend leave. They have a casual relaxed air, comfortable in the knowledge that they're well regarded by the people around them and that they're not subject to rigid, spit-and-polish discipline. (Not insignificantly, military law in Israel embodies the "Nuremburg principle" allowing soldiers to question and disobey arguably illegal orders.)

You see them in various states of uniform dress -- sometimes, full battle dress with combat boots, but other times with running shoes or other items of civilian garb. Their backpacks and duffle bags look like personal property purchased in a hiking store rather than army issue.

It really is a true citizen army: except for the uniforms, or parts of uniforms, they look just like anyone else in their early 20s, and you can easily imagine them hanging around a shopping mall, or waiting tables, or sitting in college classes.

Oh, yeah -- that and the guns. Many of the soldiers carry their automatic rifles with them on leave. That's a sight that takes some getting used to, I must admit. I guess its a function of a small country with a relatively small population and a history of military emergencies. You're always near a potential battlefront.


Had I been quicker with the camera, I would have gotten photo that says it all: a woman soldier walking out of the Carmel Market holding a just-purchased pink bookshelf in one hand, and the other hand on an M16 in firing position at her hip.






What do Israeli soldiers do on leave? Why, visit the IDF museum, of course. Here, they listen with polite interest to the museum guide.


Below: museum patrons are required to check their automatic weapons at the entrance. I'm pleased to see that they posted a guard.