Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Calendar
TM Digital Newsletter

TM TikTok

Israeli Soldiers Speak Out

The silence was broken, Israeli soldiers shared their stories and experiences of war to the students of Cerritos College on March 17.

The conference featured two retired soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces(IDF). That took part in the “Soldiers Speak Out” movement, that was organized by the Speakers Bureau, Standing With Us, a non- profit organization.

Both soldiers were brought to North American campuses to share their stories and hardships they faced in Gaza and in Lebanon when Israel fought wars against the Hezbollah and Hamas.

The young soldiers enlightening testimonies gave insight to the daunting task an army soldier have endured for their country and people.

Students were also given the opportunity to engage and ask the panelist questions.

The soldiers who were featured in the conference, were invited by Dr. Haas, History professor at Cerritos College.

“What we are looking for is an opportunity to have a discussion with the soldiers,” said Haas.

Students taking part in my history classes are studying the origin of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, this is a complex issue, I organized this conference as part of a leaning experience,” Haas added.

Army service is mandatory for most young men and women after finishing high school. Men typically serve three years and women serve two years in the army.

The first soldier to share his story was Inon, a 27 year-old law and government student at IDC Herzeliya. He served as a lieutenant in the Golani brigade for four years and is currently serving in the IDF reserves. Inon fought in the second Lebanon War in 2006, leading troops in the battle against the Hezbollah.

Inon narrated his experience and shared some intense moments he lived he said, “I consider myself an average guy, I was born and raised in Israel.”

“I’m not a historian, I’m not a politician but Im here to tell you the story, my story, and how I saw the war.

“I join the army and was sent to the desert, that is where in a remote village I learned how to speak Arabic, it was one of the most amazing things I learned to do, knowing how to speak another language breaks a lot of barriers, it allows you to understand another culture, and tells how much respect you have for others,” added Inon.

“I was a commander in charge of 35 soldiers, I was responsible for their lives, not only that I was a father and mentor to them.”

“After a month being discharged I get this phone call from a fellow soldier and commander, that three of the soldiers I fought with were killed by the terrorist group Hezbollah,” Inon said.

“I want to tell you a story about my friend, so that you will get an understanding of the kind of people that serve and the IDF, he was 27-year old, from Australia he decided to come to Israel and serve.

“Once day I asked him why he join the IDF, he had a great life in Australia, a beautiful girlfriend, amazing family when I asked why during those long nights, he answered by saying, listen Inon it is my only chance in life to fight for something greater than me, and fight for values I truly believe in.”

Inon, told a particular story when he was in combat with Hezbollah terrorist in Lebanon when he and his soldiers heard an elderly women shouting out in pain. As he approached this lady with the medic team next to him, they realized that she was actually wired to a suicide bomb, and was being used by the Hezbollah as a human trap to kill the soldiers. Inon is then faced with the decision of helping this women or risking his life and those of his team. His final decision was to evacuate.

The discussion was then led by Lior, a second year Law student at IDC Herzeliya, he was also born in Israel but lived in the United Kingdom, Canada and Washington DC.

Lior, mentions three different themes that are part of his Israeli life, he mentions his affiliation with the Holocaust affecting both sides of his family, grandfather being part of the Holocaust. His father fought in the war against Lebanon and being part of the generation of peace during the peace with Jordan.

“Growing up we were taught that you fight, we fought in the past so you wont fight in the future,” Lior said.

“I felt like I had to join the IDS after a friend and his family went back to a northern city in Israel. They were at a Coffee shop, a suicide bomber came to the cafe and blew herself up, the whole family died including my friend, except for my friend’s mom, she was the only survivor. To me was one of the reasons I wanted to join the military,” added Lior.

“It is so hard to fight a war were your enemy put civilians on the front line.”

Lior, a reserve at the time was once again called upon, he headed South of Israel.

During a patrol in Gaza, his mission was to look 800 yards in front of them and patrol using optical equipment to see any Hamas terrorist in their sight. For two hours a day no one was firing unless the soldiers felt threatened or were being fired.

Two people were spotted in the no-man’s area. He was left with a difficult decision knowing he could potentially be risking the lives of his men. They were targets determined by both the ground and air surveillance, the decision to fire was negative.

Inon said, “I am currently the director of the Intense Aerobic Program, we want to teach Aerobic, so that we can better understand the other culture, I believe that someday their will be peace.”

“Getting to share my stories next to my best friend, Lior of six years, has been an amazing experience,” he added.

Some students who attended the conference were very intrigued by the stories they heard.

Alejandra Roman, a liberal arts major said, “This conference was part of my History class, the soldiers stories were very interesting, Im taking into perspective the decisions they had to make in order to save their lives and continue to protect their country citizens.”

Daniel Hosu, a biology major, said, “The soldiers and their stories were very interesting, though the war is very complex to understand, I have insight of what they been through.”

If you missed the conference, visit the website www.soldiersspeakout.com

Story continues below advertisement
Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Talon Marks Picks TM Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
Israeli Soldiers Speak Out