Today I talked to an Israeli soldier

It is difficult to get the perspective of the Israelis when we are living on the West Bank, and are mostly surrounded by Palestinians. The programme and the EA’s are neutral to the extent that we practice principled impartiality, meaning that we do not take sides in the conflict but support peace efforts and human rights among all. However there are not many opportunities that naturally present themselves where one can speak to an Israeli soldier.

I told him I preferred not to speak when the Palestinians were around, as I do not want them to associate me with the Israelis. Some do not understand our role as observers at the Checkpoint, or why we cannot intervene more, and instead consider us collaborators with the Israeli. But today there was a storm, with very strong winds and heavy rain pouring down on the concrete. This meant that whilst my cold and cough got worse, I also found myself alone with a curious soldier in his warm cozy booth.

What did he want? Why did I even bother to speak to him?

First of all military service in Israel is compulsory, so regardless of personal opinions conscription means everyone has to do two to three years in the military (with some exceptions). Secondly, we are all human beings, and this is so easy to forget with the barriers and distances in place to separate us. Finally I must admit I am a bit curious as to how the soldiers reason, what they think about Palestine and what they think about our role there. After all the checkpoint is under their control so I was a bit apprehensive.

All he wanted, his name will not be mentioned, because speaking to me can according to him result in severe punishment, was to understand how I could stand there willingly every morning for people and a country that is not even my own. He also confessed to a certain level of self doubt, admitting that he neither believed in God nor attended the synagogue. And he asked me for my personal opinion:

-          Do you think we are doing the right thing?

Although I tried to avoid a harsh critical answer, he said he was for the freedom of expression and that I was entitled to my own opinion.

-          You know what I don’t like about living here? Sometimes like when I am talking to you right now, I get confused. And I don’t like that. It is not easy for you, I am sure many people appreciate what you do.

At one point the queue was suddenly long, and he asked me to go and check how many people there were in line. I estimated it to around a hundred, and he opened the turnstile and let quite a few people through.

-          I am only doing what I am told. I was only allowed to let 30 people through, and I let in 50. If I do not obey my orders, it is I who get punished not you. But you are welcome to call the humanitarian hot line, and they can give me new orders.

-          In Sweden you don’t have war, there is no checkpoints right? You know it reminds me of my grandmother. When I come home on a leave from the military, she always checks my phone list, because it is busier than hers, and she asks me why I have called these people. With you it is the same, you have no problem so you go to other places and care.  There are not enough people who care, the conflict between us and Palestine receive the most attention in the world, but nothing happens. And it is funny that I say this, because all I want to do when I am done with the military is to go away somewhere and not care.

It struck me how much time this soldier must have spent reflecting upon the system he represents, and on the conflict he lives in. Peace is not made with weapons, and soldiers at the checkpoints do exaggerate the structural problems between the Israeli and Palestinians. Nonetheless, at least he sees what is actually going on, and reflects on the possibility of peace.

-          Do you know what I think we should do to get peace? I think the United Nations should take over the schools in Israel and Palestine. Or at least maybe everyday a Palestinian child should come and talk for an hour to an Israeli class on his life, his family, what he does outside of school, and then at the same time an Israeli child should do the same. If we do this everyday, then at least we can learn to understand one another. Then we can become friends and have peace. What do you think?

DISCLAIMER!

I work for the Christian Council of Sweden as an Ecumenical Accompanier, serving on the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). The views contained in this report are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of the Christian Council of Sweden or the World Council of Churches.