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Commentary;
There was a time in the not-so-distant past, in the context of this author’s 59 1/2 years of life, when saving a Jewish life, particularly on the field of battle, was holy and sacred. There was a time when great officers exhorted their men; “follow me” into battle. They didn’t sit hunkered down in the ministry of defense buildingh in Tel Aviv following the action from the rear, from their plasma computer screens.
The by-gone derech of saving one’s brother on the field of battle was best exemplified by IAF veteran Sgt. (ret.) Shmuel Rafael who saved a fellow soldier in mid-air in 1950.
For such a courageous soldier to speak out about what is NOT being done for Jonathan Pollard is to confirm the depths to which the IDF may have fallen by virtue of advancement by way of protexia, by way of adherence to the power structure’s political agenda. MB
‘Saving a Life is No Longer Important?’, by Hillel Fendel (Israel National News)
Excerpts;
Long-time IAF veteran Sgt. (ret.) Shmuel Rafael, who was awarded a medal for saving a fellow soldier in mid-air in 1950, feels not enough is being done to save Jonathan Pollard.
Rafael has written a letter to MK Zevulun Orlev, who, as chairman of the Knesset Audit Committee, asked Israel’s State Comptroller to investigate why the government has not brought Pollard home from US prison. Rafael’s letter congratulated Orlev for his work, while criticizing other branches of the Israeli government for having done nothing for Pollard.
“The recognition and appreciation that I received back in 1950 for saving just one person,” Rafael wrote, “was the impetus for my dozens of years of work for Israel’s security in the paratroopers, on the battle field, in reprisal operations, and in other vital operations. Israel used to know how to show appreciation for its fighters – but now has changed its face, and not for the good.”
To read the entire report, click here.