In wake of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict many Jews around the world have volunteered to fight for Israel. Amongst these were two Americans who were recently killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip. Israel calls these soldiers, the lone soldiers as they have left their country and families, their entire lives behind to fight for the Israeli Defense Forces to defend the Jewish State.
Many of the Jews who left Israel before the age of 15 serve voluntarily. Other believe that this is a way for them to get back to their roots and defend the Jewish population.According to Marina Rozhansky, who is a spokeswoman at the Israel Consul General in Los Angeles there are about 2000 lone soldiers currently serving in the military.
One such lone soldier, was Max Steinberg. He was 24 and grew up in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley. He joined six months after he visited Israel for the first time on a birthright trip. He was among the 13 Israeli soldiers and many Palestinian soldiers who died during the first major ground battle between Israel and Hammas.
Nissim Sean Carmelli was another 21 year old, he was the second American killed.
He came from South Padre Island and felt a connection with Israel even though he had only moved there 4 years ago. The Jewish Journal says in a report that the lone soldiers are stars in Israel. It goes on saying that the army service is a right of passage. Also, young members of the Diaspora who give up their lives to protect Israel are given a hero’s welcome and a lifetime of Shabbat dinener invitations from their fellow soldiers.
Regardless of the remarkable passion of the young to serve and protect their people and country, this pointless conflict has claimed the lives of enough young people on both sides and nations worldwide, should contribute in coming up with a political solution to all this killing.