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Heaven On Earth
Lee Hiromoto of the IDF Spokesman’s Unit: Proud of my Fight
I’ve had the honor and privilege of having Lee Hiromoto, a soldier in the IDF and member of the North American Desk of the Spokesman’s unit as a guest at my house, and I am pleased to publish on the blog his letter to his alma mater, Yale University’s newspaper.
Hiromoto: Proud of my fight
Lee Hiromoto
Published Tuesday, January 13, 2009
JERUSALEMSometimes I yearn for the amoral, analytical freedom I had during my bright college years. The chance to look at an issue from all sides and deconstruct it in an ethical vacuum to understand all points of view was invaluable for my personal growth and intellectual satisfaction. But that era, like so many throughout history, has ended, and I have arrived in reality.
My reality is that two and a half years after graduating from Yale College, I am a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, and I have found myself in the middle of a conflict between my adopted country and those who would see it and its citizens wiped off the face of the earth. Extremist zealots from groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad seek to annihilate the State of Israel and its diverse communities of Jews, Christians, Druze and (yes) Muslims.
Like most Israelis, I believe in and refuse to give up on the dream of peaceful coexistence with our Palestinian neighbors. Before being drafted into the IDF, I studied Arabic diligently at Yale and spent a year working for a network of Arab-Jewish schools in Israel. When Israel left Gaza in 2005, I, then about to begin my senior year in the Elm City, shared the global hope that Gazans of all political stripes and ethno-religious backgrounds would embrace the new beginning to bring peace and prosperity to our region.
Alas, that dream has been torn asunder. The Iranian surrogate Hamas, a longtime sponsor of terror, usurped the Palestinian people’s democratic processes and seized control of the Gaza Strip in a coup in 2007.
Gaza and its Palestinian residents are currently hostages of the Hamas regime. Their homes and street corners have been rigged with mines and bombs, their places of worship turned into weapons warehouses, and their schools jury-rigged as launchpads for their rockets. Indeed, Hamas has made Gaza, once home to ordinary life, a battlefield in their unholy war against the freedom and hope that have been embodied by the State of Israel in its short 60 years of life.
This perpetual existential adversity has not stopped the Israeli people from realizing the dream of a strong and democratic state. Whereas other countries might have used hostile populations on all sides as a pretense for dictatorship and tyranny, the State of Israel has become a model for multiethnic democracy. Judicial review is rigorous (a Christian Arab judge sits on the country’s Supreme Court), civilians exercise full control over the military, and women and gays enjoy legal equality (including compulsory service in the Israel Defense Forces for both). Within its democratic framework, Israel has followed the American model of welcoming immigrant groups from around the world: My basic training unit included soldiers from North America, both Eastern and Western Europe, Ethiopia, Ghana and India.
Israel’s only reward for a painful yet hope-filled departure from Gaza has been over 6,000 rockets directed against innocent Israeli civilians since August 2005. Today nearly 1 million people living in southern Israel must cower every second of the day for fear that one of these dread-inspiring creations will explode and shatter their lives. I often think of my octogenarian grandmother — would she be able to make it to a bomb shelter within the 15 seconds allotted by such a launch?
While the current situation, where IDF forces have reluctantly re-entered the Gaza strip, is not an easy one, I know that our cause is just and that we have no other choice. What country in the world would tolerate daily barrages of rockets and mortar bombs against its civilians for eight years?
I am proud to be wearing my uniform now because I, like the other women and men who wear it, am working to build a peaceful, stable Middle East despite extremist elements plotting to destroy this vision. Indeed, if not for those years of observation and analysis in the hallowed halls of the Ivy League, I may not have developed the discernment to understand the difference between the inherent justice of self-defense and the immorality of brutal aggression directed deliberately against innocent Israeli civilians.
This critical difference between the necessity of self-defense and the barbarity of terror, like the stark contrast between academic theory and palpable reality, empowers me and all other peace-seekers to continue to hope, pray and, if necessary, fight to create a better world in our three-dimensional real time so far from textbooks and lectures.
Lee Hiromoto is a 2006 graduate of Morse College.
Well grounded, commonsensical, shorn of pretense and tropes, well written, clear headed; in a word, refreshing. Another word that comes to mind is: commendable, because these are no mere or facile words on a page; they are words embodied, they have been earned.
Note that Khalidi is an academic. he is representative of current academia. a plo member teaching.
what kind of education does the US get when those who ought to be about knowledge and truth are about ignorance and lies?
Please note that this man, Hiromoto, is an American citizen by birth serving in a foreign army and as a spokesperson for that army.
We used to call that treason.
He should be ashamed and Yale should be ashamed of graduating traitors like him.
Even more shameful is that he is taking up foreign arms while the USA is at war.
Why does this blog support TREASON to the USA?
I’ll let Lee respond to your comment himself.
But allow me to respond to your question to me. I admire your patriotism which is, these days, so little seen in the USA (certainly in the academic circles i hang with, where, to paraphrase a comment about anti-zionist Jews, “people are proud to be ashamed to be american…”
but i think your patriotism is a bit old-fashioned, sort of 19th century isolationist. israel is one our major allies (certainly our closest) not only in terms of her voting record in the UN, but also in terms of her cultural style. in fact, she’s the best friend we have in the world today, and the fact that principled and extremely intelligent people like lee can go from yale to israel is a sign of just how similar the cultures.
(note, none of the british elite who betrayed their country to the communists in the 1950s and 60s wanted to live in russia, and those foolish enough to go regreted it but cdn’t come back.)
i know of no country that shares so many basic values and attitudes with the USA as israel — from love of children and the encouragement of individualism, to free-wheeling debate, to self-criticism, to entrepreneurial and scientific innovation. and as a result, israel and the usa are the objects of a) the deepest hatred from jihadis, and b) the deepest resentment and anger from europeans.
so in this time when america is at war, lee hiromoto is serving in one of the armies defending freedom in a world increasingly challenged by the forces of religious bigotry and violence that islamism mobilizes.
in that sense i am at once a patriotic american — the greatest country in the world today in many senses — and an internationalist. we cannot fight this alone, and israel is on our side. if lee hiromoto were a spokesman for hamas, or some other islamist organization, people who want to see the green flag of islam fly from the white house, you’d have a case against both lee and me.
“This man, Hiromoto” is an Israeli citizen. He must be, in order to serve in the Israeli army. Since he has Israeli citizenship there is no “treason” here!
His analysis of the war with Hamas is insightful and honest, and reflects the views of the majority here in Israel. Both the content and the quality of his writing are a credit to his school.
Three years ago, Israel was bitterly divided about the disengagement. Some saw it as a bright opportunity for both the Palestinians and for the Israelis, a way to break out of the “cycle of violence” that has plagued this region for decades, centuries, millennia. Others predicted that missiles would shortly reach Ashkelon and Ashdod and that by rendering Gaza “Judenrein” we were putting wind in the sails of the most extremist elements of Palestinian society.
Israel, with trepidation, gave peace a chance and was rewarded with missiles on Ashkelon, Ashdod, Yavne and Beer Sheva. Hamas proved to be worse than the predictions of the most pessimistic nay-sayers since (as “equal-opportunity” terrorists) they were as murderous to their fellow Gazans as they were to the poor inhabitants of South Israel. And all in the name of Allah.
Removing this tumor from Gaza is proving to be damaging, aggressive surgery. But hopefully, if we can remove all the malignant cancer and ensure some strong post-op. treatment and screening, Palestinians will be able to live happy, productive lives in Gaza in the not-too-distant future.
Hiromoto is US born and an American citizen by birth (from Hawaii).
Israeli army accepts foreign volunteers (though they consider all Jews Israelis)
Hiromoto is serving in the army of a foreign state. No matter how much you might like Israel, it’s still a foreign country
He should be stripped of American citizenship and given the same treatment as John Walker Lindh.
Personally, I would think one bullet is good for Anti-Americans like Hiromoto
It’s so nice to see that Yale still breeds grads who value foreign countries above America
American Citizen,
and those natives of other countries who now serve in the American armed forces, are they treasonous too?
Even more shameful is that he is taking up foreign arms while the USA is at war.
Yes and Bill Clinton ran to Britain while America was at war.
Another American citizen,
Israeli army accepts foreign volunteers (though they consider all Jews Israelis)
No they don’t. A Jew must request citizenship to be accepted as Israeli fit to serve in the armed forces.
They consider all Jews acceptable for citizenship if they have no criminal baggage as happened to an American Citizen who was turned away. As has happened also to some of those American Jews attempting to enter the country to protest on the side of Hamas and Fatah. They will not get citizenship.
Anyway where are you proud patriots when many of the Muslims claiming American Citizenship acknowledge allegiance only to Islam?
All those collecting American dollars for charity going to those who have killed and continue killing American soldiers?
Go and research those American citizens collecting for Hezbollah, Hamas and Iraqi groups.
Where is the outrage for those Gazans who killed 3 American diplomats on their way to distribute Fulbright scholarships to poor Palestinians?
and those natives of other countries who now serve in the American armed forces, are they treasonous too?
heh, heh. it’s always very revealing when people throw out positions without thinking further than their emotions and nose, isn’t it?
i find it interesting and hardly surprising that their patriotism and sense of betrayal rises with israel? it does not rise, for example, when american patriots such as carter and clinton sell themselves out to the richest arabs, or when the US govt funds 31% of UNRWA which props up the jihadists in gaza shouting death to america. no, it’s just an americam who immigrates to israel and fights the fight that the west is too dumb and coward to fight that their patriotism is offended.
cynic,
not only there is no offense by the jihadis in their midst, but america is making it easier and easier fo them to get here and practice jihad. but it’s the jews who go to israel who are the traitors.
this kind of ignorance and stupidity is what sinks the west.
oao,
I forgot about Teresa’s husband who was hobnobbing with the Vietcong in Paris while American boys were being killed by the Vietcong in Vietnam.
Just a thought how can the wife of a guy who has received millions from Wahabbi Arabs be expected to carry out her duties as Secretary of State concerned only with the well being of the USA and not somewhat biased by the family “debt” in favour of the Arab Lobby?
Of course Baker Botts was also doing everything in favour of the Arab Lobby in Lebanon along with Bush the Elder and Caspar in Lebanon 1983, as Secretary of State.
Most probably find that these American Citizens have some axe to grind.
Hmm, looks like you guys excuse the treasonous behavior of this creep from Yale by saying others are just as bad.
Note, however, that he’s actually a fulltime employee of a foreign state and serving in its army.
If he wants to immigrate, fine by me; America is probably better off with elitist snakes like hiromoto leaving.
However, adulating his treason is disgusting,
in exactly the same way that Americans who actually serve in the armed forces of Cuba, Vietnam, Iran, or wherever are disgusting.
What bugs me about this is that clearly a Yale education does not instill pride in America.
Last I checked, Kerry and Clinton never wore a foreign uniform. They were scum but this Hiromoto puts them to shame
Excusing his treason is the same as excusing Jonathan Pollard’s treason
and the people who do so reveal that they don’t hold America first but another country.
If they want to leave, fine by me.
But they should be ashamed to ever come back.
Just a thought how can the wife of a guy who has received millions from Wahabbi Arabs be expected to carry out her duties as Secretary of State concerned only with the well being of the USA and not somewhat biased by the family “debt” in favour of the Arab Lobby?
read hitchens’ piece on the subject. there are very few more corrupt than the clintons.
i would not be surprised if condo did at the UN what she did to be able to get on the arab gravy train.
there is hardly anybody more gullible than the average american.
david,
the only creep i see here is you.
as far as i know he did immigrate.
go on like this but don’t then ask yourself why the US is in free all on almost every measure you care to apply.
btw, david, the War College has just decided that Hamas is quite ok and should be engaged. this at the advice of an arab research professor who works for it.
When people are oblivious to consistency:
This is a sad and unambiguous reality: Most Democrats recognize Hamas’s responsibility for the crisis, do not seek greater U.S. involvement, support Israel in general terms, but cannot bring themselves to approve of the Gaza operation. One question naturally arises from such inconsistent attitudes: To what line of action would all those Democrats subscribe? Not diplomacy mediated by the U.S. (71% are against “more” involvement); not military action by Israel (45% disapprove, while only 29% approve). Is there any other alternative they can think of that eluded the pollsters?
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rosner/50532
Is there any other alternative they can think of that eluded the pollsters?
yes. israel makes suicidal concessions.
Hillary Clinton’s confirmation hearing on Tuesday was something of a love-fest. Even the normally sensible Senator DeMint saw fit to assure Clinton “I have no questions about your integrity.” Has DeMint forgotten Hillary’s corruption during the 1990s, which led her to the brink of a deserved indictment?
Fortunately, two Senators — Lugar and Vitter — asked Clinton appropriately tough questions about the matter of foreign contributions to her husband’s “Clinton Foundation.” The problem presented by contributions from donors like Saudi Arabia to the fiefdom of the Secretary of State’s husband could hardly be more obvious. Nor is the problem merely theoretical. The Washington Post editorial board notes that, as a Senator, Clinton intervened at least six times in government issues directly affectiing firms or individuals tied to contributions to her husband’s foundation.
Accordingly, Lugar argued that the Clinton Foundation should receive no foreign donations while Hillary Clinton is Secretary of State. Alternatively, he made a series of modest, and in the Post’s words “sensible,” recommendations for dealing with foreign donations. They included immediate disclosure of gifts in excess of $50,000, instead of the yearly disclosure the Clintons have agreed to, and disclosure of foreign gifts of over $50,000 as soon as they are pledged.
Clinton responded by praising Lugar (this was a love-fest after all) and ignoring his suggestions. Her answers, which basically refused to acknowledge the existence of the problem, suggest that she remains almost as ethically tone-deaf as she was during her days as First Lady.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/01/022558.php
the FBi took “sensitivity” training from these groups:
http://www.rightsidenews.com/200901133316/homeland-security/radical-islamic-networks-in-america.html
it looks like the FBI is the traitor here, but this does not raise any concerns.
5:34AM: A few of you have already sent me emails or left comments on this story: UNRWA has admitted to employing terrorists to work at its palestinian schools in the past, has no system in place to keep members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad off its payroll, and provides textbooks to children that contain hate speech and other incendiary information. (via israellycool)
31% of unrwa budget funded by US, 50% by EU.
“Personally, I would think one bullet is good for Anti-Americans like Hiromoto.”
Wow! What a statement! Tell me, when did America go to war against Israel? Since when is associating oneself with Israel a sign of anti-Americanism?
Very strange.
Very strange.
Not at all. The anti-semitic kooks are coming out of the woodwork, now that it’s again fashionable.
Those who thought that they are extinct or that america is immune are getting their shock.
Constitution of the United States of America.
Article III.
Section 3
Hamas is not not United States, nor is Israel an enemy of the United. Therefore “levying War” against Hamas is not treason, nor is adhering to Israel.
Thousands of American volunteers served in the British armed forces during WW II (look up “Eagle Squadrons”) – before the U.S. was at war.
Americans fought with the International Brigades for the Spanish Republic, and with Garibaldi for Italian unification. The “Ever-Victorious Army” which the British general “Chinese” Gordon led against the “Tai Ping” rebels in China was founded by Fred T. Ward, an American in Chinese Imperial service.
None of these were ever charged witih treason.
There is U.S. law against “Filibustering” (launching wars against other countries from U.S. territory), but even that is not treason.
Therefore “levying War” against Hamas is not treason, nor is adhering to Israel.
correct. however, that’s in formal terms. in practical terms the US is financing UNWRA and has pumped zillions into the pals. that can be interpreted as levying war against the allies of the US and thus treason. I am being facetious, but i do have a point (note that, based on the screams of death to america and the dancing in the pal streets after 9/11, US is a traitor against itself.)
None of these were ever charged witih treason.
ah, well, but israel is different: it’s the juice.
May your God be with you, Lee Hiromoto, and thank you Richard for your posts. This site, along with Tom Gross, Melanie Phillips and a few others are beacons of truth in the cesspool that the public sphere has become.
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