Israel has been at war for more than 14 months. We are told that Hamas has been destroyed as a military force. Yet soldiers die almost daily in Gaza. We are told that Hezbollah has been brought to its knees and no longer functions as a cohesive fighting army. Yet rockets continue to fly; according to the Alma Research and Education Center, in October more projectiles were fired from Lebanon than in any month since October 7, 2023, and 54 Israelis were killed in the North. The IDF is performing at a laudable level and we must be united in its support until the war is over. However, we are battling on multiple fronts and the cost to families, businesses, and the government is high. How can we retain our spirit and confidence under such stressful boundary conditions?
My wife and I recently attended what is called the Tekes Maasah Kumtah for recent Golani inductees. Literally, maasah kumtah means “the journey for the beret.” It is the final step in the training of new inductees. After eight months of physical and mental calisthenics the recruits complete an overnight 50-km trek in full gear carrying stretchers, machine guns, water, rations, whatever is needed for battle. The last kilometer is often accompanied by family members who cheer their loved ones to the finish line. The Beret Ceremony took place in a hall in a city along the Israeli coast that afternoon. Having completed this grueling hurdle, many of the new soldiers walked funny as they waited to receive their berets. But, despite the physical pain they felt, their faces were uniformly shining with bright eyes and smiles. They understood what they had achieved and more so what they had accomplished as part of a newly minted team.
About eight months ago, many of these young soldiers were new high school graduates. They came from diverse backgrounds. They were, for the most part, ignorant of the demands and challenges that awaited them. Their common feature: They chose to be Golani - fighting soldiers. As we sat in the large auditorium and looked at the different classes in this battalion, we sensed the spirit of these warriors to be. Golani was the first fighting brigade in the Israel Defense Forces. It is an elite brigade and is held in great esteem by the IDF and the Israeli people. The brigade, especially the 13th and 51st battalions, took large losses on October 7, when the base they occupied was overrun by Hamas. Sixty-six soldiers, including 15 women surveillance soldiers, were tortured and murdered. Seven female soldiers were taken to Gaza. Since that tragic day, Golanchiks have fought with distinction both in Gaza and Lebanon. The new recruits were forged by the knowledge of what was done to their brothers and sisters and determined to protect all of us from additional harm.
The ceremony itself was emotional and inspiring. On October 13, just 30 days prior, many of these soldiers were on the Golani base in Binyamina when it was struck by a drone. There were 66 casualties, and 4 soldiers were killed. The parents of the soldiers that fell were introduced and their loss was publicly recognized. They joined the large and growing list of bereaved families whose connection with the IDF is eternal. Six brave Golani soldiers of the 51st died as I wrote this op-ed. These brothers will never be forgotten.
We were filled with pride as the chayal mitztayen (outstanding soldier) from each class was recognized. What struck us was the joy and support that these young warriors received from their comrades. Hugs and back pats were abundant and the love and respect the chayalim have for each other was palpable. We were at this ceremony because our oldest grandson was a commander of one of the classes. After being wounded early in the Gaza campaign, he recovered and then was sent to train as a commander. His training concluded back in Gaza for several weeks. Now he stood, surrounded by his class of soldiers, in an auditorium filled to capacity by families and friends. These families give unconditional support to their children and glow with pride. Especially moving was when our grandson gave his own beret to the chayal mitztayen from his class, a lone soldier who had come from Argentina to serve in the IDF and fight for his people. As the commander and the recruit hugged each other with an intensity that only battle-buddies can feel, I felt overwhelmed by the love shown by these soldiers. Seeing the resilience of the bereaved families and of the thousands who came to buoy the new inductees who were proudly wearing their brown Golani berets, I understood that, with the help of Hashem, we will be victorious.
The resilience, spirit, and unity showed by the soldiers in the IDF should serve as a wake-up call for the politicians in the Knesset. While our young men and women make tremendous sacrifices, while milliumniks serve for inordinate periods of times, while our hostages suffer in unimaginable conditions, and while displaced families cannot return to their homes, our political leaders continue to bicker. When the war first started, effort was made to form a unity government, and some members of the opposition joined a so-called War Cabinet. For a while, words were used carefully by our leaders. Now while the war continues to rage both in the South and North, and while determined Iranian proxies send drones, rockets, and ballistic missiles to kill Israelis, the Knesset rages and inter-party name-calling returns. What a gift these politicos are presenting to our enemies! What damage are we doing to ourselves? We Jews know how to dispute. We are experts at debates and making counterpoints. Sometimes prudence is required. Despite the great sacrifices our Druze brethren have made both in fallen sons and casualties in their villages, they have not attacked the government. At this time of crisis, we would be wise to follow the example set by the Druze leaders and to take heed of the actions of our soldiers.
When I asked my grandson whether there are political arguments in his diverse kitah (class), he told me, “Saba we just want to fight the enemy and support each other in battle.” Political machinations can wait until the war is won.
Ad Hanitzachon, until victory!!
Dr. Naider is a Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry and former Provost at the City University of New York. He lives in Rehovot and has two grandsons in the IDF. The opinions in this article are his own.
