I OPINION

I CONTENTS

CLOSE-UP

Midwest
Babylon

DAVID HOLZEL
Detroit's Orthodox
Jewish community
is going from
strength to strength.

Rel ig ious News Service

HOLIDAYS

Intriguing Haggadahs

26

CAROL COTT GROSS
The story of the Exodus
come to us in many forms.

Violence in the Territories: Shackled with doubts.

Eating History

Israeli Soldiers Speak Out
On Violence In The Territories

HAROLD M. SCHULWEIS
The customs of Passover are explained.

A

Flowering
Spring

group of Israel Defense Force
members, soldiers, parents and
youth recently met at Kibbutz Beit
Hashita for a discussion of the current hap-
penings in the territories. They addressed
such questions as what is the feeling of those
serving in the territories? What is the daily
routine of the soldiers taking part in this
policing action? What are the moral limits
of this type action? And why are these events
not affecting us greater? Why aren't we aris-
ing from our chairs, and why are we unable
to protest? The following are excerpts from
their discussion.

"I have now been a month and a half
in Machane Jebilya (Gaza)," said Ro'ee, who
is in the IDF. "This is the largest refugee
camp: 50,000 residents. There is a very
large army force there. Thousands around
us are throwing stones. From time to time
we break ranks and run after them with
our clubs. It's a feeling of frustration and
shame. We have been using tear gas and
rubber bullets. We are on patrol and
prepare ambushes. We wait for someone to
make a move and we beat them with force.
At this point the dilemma of the soldier
really starts.
"The policy of the army changes every
two-three days. There was an order to shoot
.22 caliber at the legs, to beat with the in-
tent of breaking bones. At first we were per-
mitted to touch only the men, then we saw
that women were taking part also, so the
order came not to spare them and the
children — this is a very difficult situation
and each soldier acts according to his own
moral code.
"The use of beating gradually
escalated. It explodes when there is a life
threatening situation. Those who find
beating difficult move aside, into the
shadows.

This article first appeared in Kibbutz Beit Hashita
newspaper

"We are continually talking, discuss-
ing, arguing. There are discussions with
the higher ranking officers, regiment com-
manders, battalion commanders, and also
with psychologists. We rehash the subject
together. The higher the rank of the officer,
the more confusion and uncertainty.
"The Arab populace respects and ad-
mires strength. They admire Defense
Minister Yitzchak Rabin and Absorption
Minister Ariel Sharon.
"In the beginning, we tried other
methods — to treat the Arabs as humane-
ly as possible. They took advantage of that,
so we resorted to the use of force, and they
understood.
"It annoys me that we are doing the dir-
ty work for the nation, and the population
is not behind us. There is a feeling that we
are not being supported. There is no alter-
native — we must beat.
"The media comes in and makes a
stink, criticizes and promotes negative at-
titudes towards our actions in the ter-
ritories. We can't see the end. It is only
clear that we do not want to be there. Don't
rally and protest against what we are do-
ing. Rally to get us out of there. And if you
rally — then quietly, without high soun-
ding statements, and don't talk about
youth that were brought up to moral values
— and now they are marching with clubs
— that's irritating. For you we are doing
this task. Zahal is trying to preserve a high
level of humanity, and it's a very moral
army?'
"Everyone screams that it's not good to
kill," added Amir, also a soldier. "Tell us
what to do. We need peace with the Arabs
and to return territories. We also need an
immediate solution.
"According to Ro'ee, the army is follow-
ing orders. The complaints and demands
must be brought before the politicians.

Continued on Page 10

60

FASHION

CARLA JEAN SCHWARTZ
The warm weather
brought out
the latest designs
for Maimonides.

62

FOR WOMEN

Jewish Equality

JUDY MARX
Feminist Susannah Heschel
brings her message to Michigan.

67

ENTERTAINMENT

Good Magic

DAVID HOLZEL
Potions take a back seat in this
locally-produced operatic brew.

Our cover photograph:
"Passover Seder," copyright 1985 by Michel
Schwartz, courtesy of American Greeting Corp.

DEPARTMENTS

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32 Inside Washington
36 Synagogues
46 Business
52 Sports
56 Life In Israel
60 Fashion
62 For Women

Seniors
Entertainment
Ann Arbor
Engagements
Births
Single Life
Obituaries

CANDLELIGHTING

April 1, 1988

6:39 p.m.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

7

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