Hi, Gabi. I so much appreciated the honesty of this piece, and I, too, thank you for everything you have done to defend Israel. I stand in awe of everyone in Israel who is somehow surviving the current situation, emotionally and physically. I learned about Beit Halochem, and am able in that small way to support the healing process that must be so necessary for every IDF soldier, whether physically wounded or not. I applaud your writing so eloquently as part of your own healing process. Bravo!
Kol hakavode Gabi for your service and attempting to articulate very challenging experiences. As one who faced similar things years ago during 1st Lebanon War and as a psychotherapist, I'm reminded of the absolute "lack of agency" involved in entering combat. No matter what we tell ourselves, we know that not everyone will return whole, and that the predominant factor in that is luck. There really isn't any corollary in civilian life...and that's when one is safe enough to begin to process what happened across the line.
Hi Gabi. Well written. Just one thing. By saying that there is "no military solution," you have already lost the war in your mind. If you truly feel that way, why would you even get into your tank? Just a friendly reminder: our enemy believes with all his heart that there is a military solution to this conflict. And he acts on that belief. We do not have the right to think that someday, somehow, he will be enlightened and come to terms with our existence. We have seen who and what the enemy is. It is an enemy worthy of total destruction.
You’ve articulated beautifully some difficult truths. And I think that naming things succinctly as you have is a big step toward regaining agency. I appreciate your voice, your insights. May you continue to grow your sense of agency. It is, after all, the work of a lifetime.
Shabbat shalom. I’m writing this from Tel Aviv where I’m visiting my son Jacob who is a paratrooper reservist. He was in n and out of Gaza and the West Bank for 4.5 months and awaits another deployment. It’s hard for him too (and me). Take care of yourself Gabi. Btw, I’m a Hokie and so is my daughter 🦃
Hi, Gabi. I so much appreciated the honesty of this piece, and I, too, thank you for everything you have done to defend Israel. I stand in awe of everyone in Israel who is somehow surviving the current situation, emotionally and physically. I learned about Beit Halochem, and am able in that small way to support the healing process that must be so necessary for every IDF soldier, whether physically wounded or not. I applaud your writing so eloquently as part of your own healing process. Bravo!
Kol hakavode Gabi for your service and attempting to articulate very challenging experiences. As one who faced similar things years ago during 1st Lebanon War and as a psychotherapist, I'm reminded of the absolute "lack of agency" involved in entering combat. No matter what we tell ourselves, we know that not everyone will return whole, and that the predominant factor in that is luck. There really isn't any corollary in civilian life...and that's when one is safe enough to begin to process what happened across the line.
Hi Gabi. Well written. Just one thing. By saying that there is "no military solution," you have already lost the war in your mind. If you truly feel that way, why would you even get into your tank? Just a friendly reminder: our enemy believes with all his heart that there is a military solution to this conflict. And he acts on that belief. We do not have the right to think that someday, somehow, he will be enlightened and come to terms with our existence. We have seen who and what the enemy is. It is an enemy worthy of total destruction.
You’ve articulated beautifully some difficult truths. And I think that naming things succinctly as you have is a big step toward regaining agency. I appreciate your voice, your insights. May you continue to grow your sense of agency. It is, after all, the work of a lifetime.
Shabbat shalom. I’m writing this from Tel Aviv where I’m visiting my son Jacob who is a paratrooper reservist. He was in n and out of Gaza and the West Bank for 4.5 months and awaits another deployment. It’s hard for him too (and me). Take care of yourself Gabi. Btw, I’m a Hokie and so is my daughter 🦃