I have relatives that fight in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force - cyncial name) what would you do if you were me?

[noname223]

I am not sure. I have some memories with them from many many years. But actually I don't know these people.

I have issues with my whole family - with literally all of them not because some are Israeli.

According to my mom, which certainly should not be trusted my Israeli relatives are against the war and Netanjahu. Because they are forced to participate in it. No moral questions were raised from what she told me. My mom also called Palestinians evil and that I should stick to Israel because of my relatives.

The last time I met these people was at the funeral of my grandfather who died of a stroke witnessing a family argument. My mom and grandmother wanted to throw me out of my home because I talked about the abuse I experienced my whole life by my mom. My grandad who already had dementia tried to defend me and then he had a stroke. The whole family blamed me for it at the funeral. The funeral was a nightmare. But I had the feeling some relatives enjoyed how I was blamed for that. Me as the black sheep.

This was the last time I met my Israeli relatives. I actually don't like any of my relatives. Most of them are morally corrupt.

I cannot make a clear judgement about my Israeli relatives. Personally, I am emotional distanced of all my relatives. They cannot hurt me anymore. My dad has horrible political takes. I am used to it. I always had the feeling my ancestors were probably involved in war crimes in Nazi Germany and in WW1. From how I can judge my family and my own motives. I think we are all sheep and opportunists. I think none of them had the courage to step up against war crimes. And now I know my Israeli relatives are probably involved in war crimes.

I don't feel that guilty about that. I don't know these people. But in general I think it is good to participate in pro-Palestine protests. Not because of my relatives. It is more about in general a statement against war crimes that my government funds and actively supports.

What do you think?

 

[OzymandiAsh]

I am glad you have the sense and courage to stand up to them and against them.

 

[Hvergelmir]

What do you think?

I think IDF support is a strategic move, against Hamas. I think it's about minimizing atrocity and produce long term stability, both for humanitarian and economical reasons.
I don't think it's possible to hand over power to peaceful civilians, without armed islamists moving in to exploit it.

I don't know what protesters want to accomplish, but they often come through as naive.
I think your heritage is irrelevant, and I think charities, and political or militant factions are the ways to change things.

 

[noname223]

I think IDF support is a strategic move, against Hamas. I think it's about minimizing atrocity and produce long term stability, both for humanitarian and economical reasons.
I don't think it's possible to hand over power to peaceful civilians, without armed islamists moving in to exploit it.

I don't know what protesters want to accomplish, but they often come through as naive.
I think your heritage is irrelevant, and I think charities, and political or militant factions are the ways to change things.

On which sources are you relying on when you read/hear about the conflict?

 

[Hvergelmir]

On which sources are you relying on when you read/hear about the conflict?

A mix of sources, over many years - both news and documentaries, historic and contemporary. I try hard to listen to arguments from all sides, but the fog of war and propaganda is rather dense.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I hate the idea of war and fighting generally but, I think it's probably much easier to judge from a safe distance than be in the thick of it and be able to see the wood from the trees.

What would their alternative be? Could the whole family flee the country? Would your parents help to support them? What would happen to them if they refused to fight? If they refused an order even?

I suppose some soldiers do their work without committing war crimes. How do you 100% know whether you are committing a war crime even? Say- you're given the coordinates of a reported millitary target to bomb. You later find out the intelligence was wrong and civillians were killed or- both military and civilliains were killed. Who's to blame? The reconnaissance agents, the commander who gave the order, the soldier that followed it? The target army who made the strategic decision to locate military targets amongst schools, hospitals, churches?

How do soldiers ever know whether they're on the 'good' side always? They're likely following orders a lot of the time. Maybe different if it's more obvious- 'torture that person' is more easy to spot as a violation of human rights. But- 'bomb them before they bomb us' is harder to decipher.

As I understand it- soldiers are made to believe that. That the ones they are attacking will do the same and much worse to them and their families. I imagine it can be convincing when you're actually being bombed.

Obviously, if you see tanks rolling in- you can legitimately- it would seem- feel within your rights to defend. But, these conflicts go back years- with violations made on all sides. The attacks continue though. How do we stop them?

To be truthful, I'm embarassingly naive about what's actually happening but maybe our problem as a species is to be so black and white about it. This side is all good, while the other is evil. Quite often you get minorities in both camps committing attrocities. Because I suppose sadly- we can have a sadistic streak as humans generally and people wanting to kill and harm and feel powerful will look for jobs where they can.

It would be great if we all just agreed to cease fighting. Surrender all our arms and all get along but, sooner or later, some arsehole will do something to contravene the terms and then, it all flares up again.

As for what you should/ can do personally. I don't know really. Maybe try to find out how they are feeling. I imagine they wouldn't be able to tell you what they actually do but, maybe you could guage whether they are comfortable doing it. And, if not- I suppose- research into how they might defect and flee to safety.