The following text was emailed to Congregation Beit Torah in Westchester, NY.
The author in uniform.
My name is Netanel Amitai, I served in the IDF for 7 years, my last position being a company commander in the armored corps, ranked Captain. I was released from the army two years ago and am currently serving in reserve duty as Operations Officer for my battalion, and serve in the capacity of a Major. During my service I saw action in the second Lebanese war and Cast Lead operation, as well as being drafted for the Pillar of Defense (some of these names could easily be made into Hollywood blockbusters). In the current escalation I spent nine days in uniform, three of them in the Gaza area, and unfortunately was released to bury a former soldier and close friend, Cpt. Dima Levitas who was killed in action two days ago. Since then I have not been allowed back in, and thus have the time to sit and write this letter from the comfort of my home in Mesilat Zion, halfway between Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.
The boys losing their lives at the time they did may have spared the state of Israel from the worst terrorist attack in its history.
The current situation has been escalating for over a month, leading to the current operation in the Gaza Strip. The truth of the matter is, however, that the situation never really did calm down as you may be led to believe. Quiet times, in Israel, are a matter of perspective. A week where 2 to 5 missiles have been fired at civilian populations is a "quiet week." The kidnapping of the three Israeli youths; however, started a snowball effect resulting in what you are seeing on your screens today. The untold truth of the matter is that the boys losing their lives at the time they did may have spared the state of Israel from the worst terrorist attack in its history. The numerous tunnels have been utilized till now for small scale attacks as a result of the operation. But had we waited, the possibility of thousands of Hamas warriors attacking through dozens of tunnels would have become reality. Coupled with rockets fired at the center of Israel, and attacks from the sea – we could have witnessed thousands of Israeli dead.
Another important point to mention is the suffering of the innocent civilians of Gaza. To ignore this would be inhumane. Pictures of children killed in airstrikes, of homes lying in rubble, of injured and panicked civilians bring tears to my eyes. It is, however, impossible not to ask who is killing these people. I have witnessed firsthand the IDF going to ridiculous efforts to clear civilian population and make sure that they are out of harm’s way, only to have Hamas warriors beat them back into the houses where weapons are being stored.
As if that is not enough, last week we witnessed the uncovering of weapons in two UNWRA schools, a fact nearly ignored by the international media. He who places weapons in schools, de facto sacrifices the lives of the children within for a photo op. One must also ask how these weapons made it into the school in the first place, without the knowledge of the UN personnel.
As sad as it is, the facts all point to Hamas sacrificing its own civilians in order to demonize Israel. Sadly, it seems to be working.
I would like to remark about the innocent masses, from a historical point of view. Most citizens in Nazi Germany were innocent. They did not hate Jews; they did not want war. This did not stop Hitler from starting a war that killed 18 million people over the course of six years. The innocent masses were irrelevant. The same could be said for Russia under Stalin and the 20 million killed by his regime. Our reality is no different. As sad as it is, we must accept the fact that the innocent population has made itself irrelevant by choosing a terrorist organization as its leadership. If we want to exist ten years from now, we must see Gaza for what it is – a threat to our existence, despite the majority of innocent civilians.
Contrary to common belief, and this is very important, the Israeli centers of life are filled with people — daily life goes on almost uninterrupted, though the sirens make people run once in a while. Hamas has failed to impact even the smallest part of life in Israel, which in itself could be hailed as a victory. It seems however, that the media is unhappy about this. "How is it," they ask, "if your army is so humane, that so many Palestinians are losing their lives, while you are almost unharmed?" as if only the death of Israelis could make the situation more acceptable to them.
Israel built the Iron Dome; Hamas built terror tunnels.
I will tell you the simplest answer to this: Israel has invested millions of dollars over the past decades, in order to protect its civilians because we honor life above all else. In this constant arms race, we have not invented the doomsday weapon that will kill more enemies at once; we invented the "Iron Dome." Its only purpose is to protect Israeli civilians from rocket fire. Hamas, however, has spent millions of dollars, most of which came from the UN or European countries, and from American allies like Qatar or Dubai, to dig tunnels into Israel. Over 70 of these tunnels have been uncovered so far, with probably many more to come, each one of these costing many millions of dollars.
Is it really that hard to understand the difference? It seems that the world is incapable of connecting the dots, if not deliberately sacrificing Israel so as to avoid a worldwide conflict.
This conflict has also shown the ugly side of Israeli society. Starting with the gruesome retaliatory murder of the Palestinian youth by a 30-year-old Israeli, followed by some vile calls to kill all Arabs on social media networks and so called "talkbackers" posting on internet sites, and culminating in the attack of left wing protesters in the heart of Tel Aviv, protesters who gathered with a simple slogan – "Jews and Arabs refuse to be enemies." This conflict has made it clear that there are some cancerous cells of hatred growing within us that we must cut out at the root. We must ensure that we remain a shining democratic beacon of liberalism and freedom in a region plagued with dictatorships and religious oppression.
That, my friends, is why you should be supporting Israel. Not because you are Jews, Not because you might know a few Israelis, but because we are fighting for the ideas on which you founded your country, and we are fighting not only for ourselves, but for the whole western world. As said by Mosab Hasan Youssef, son of one of the founders of the Hamas movement and a former Hamas member himself, "Israel is not the problem in the Middle East. Israel is the solution to the Middle East. If Israel fails in the Middle East, the western civilization will fall. It is our duty to protect and defend the Jewish state – for the generations to come and for the entire world."
Cpt Dimitry Levitas who died by sniper fire in Gaza. Photo: Ynet.
Two days ago, I left Gaza in order to bury and pay my last respects to a former soldier of mine and close friend, Cpt Dima Levitas who fell leading a company of men into Gaza. Dima was about to be engaged; we all knew that he was planning it now for a few weeks, and was heralded as a rising star in the IDF, the rare kind of combat officer that everyone just knows is going straight to the top, the kind of man whom men follow without questioning, just because he is who he is. It is amazing how quickly all his dreams, all the hopes of those around him were silenced, and how irreversible some things are. We all need to make sure that Israel itself is not silenced, because with Israel, so many other ideas will die as well.
For those who have Israel in their heart, educate yourselves and learn all you can about our fight. Arm yourselves with the knowledge needed to defend what we are fighting for in the face of international ignorance and hatred. In this age, words can do more damage than any bomb or bullet. After you have done that, use your Facebook walls, your twitter accounts, your social media posts to spread the word, to fight alongside us. We need more time to protect our country and make sure that our children will live a quieter life. You can help us buy that time by fighting for us from your smart phone and computer and tablet.
I am more than happy to answer any questions that you might have and supply sources, and I will write my email on the bottom of this email. The "Tzahal Shalom" Facebook page also allows you to contact many IDF officers that you have met over the years, and I am sure there are many who will be happy to answer questions and "supply ammunition."
I thank you for taking the time to read this rather long email, and for your willingness to give us a voice. May you know only peace and quiet, and may we all know better days...
Captain (in reserve) Netanel Amitai
nateamitai@gmail.com
(30) bucky, April 22, 2015 4:06 PM
I disagree
I disagree...most if not all adult or older teen Germans who lived in Germany during the time of the Holocaust are guilty, pure and simple. They voted in Hitler, fought for him, and willingly carried out the mass murder of Jews. So too the citizens of Gaza. They voted in Hamas, and willing store weapons in their homes schools and hospitals. I have tremendous awe and respect for this soldier and the whole IDF, but I think sympathy for our enemies is misplaced, and used against us regularly. I would not sacrifice even one Jewish soldier for ten thousand "innocent" Gazans.
(29) Anonymous, August 6, 2014 1:04 AM
thank you so much for all that you give up to protect the land that G-d promised us!
(28) jacob, August 5, 2014 10:17 AM
GOD BLESS ISRAEL
(27) Heather, August 3, 2014 11:14 PM
Bless you!
Bless you for all that you have done and are doing to stand for Israel! May HaShem Guide, Bless & Protect Israel & keep those united who stand for Israel. Praying for you all every day...Much love & Shalom
(26) Anonymous, August 3, 2014 4:30 PM
thanks so much for everything you and the rest of the idf are doing for our country trying to make it safe
i wish you much hatzlacha in everything you are doing
thanks again
(25) Nadav, August 3, 2014 4:04 AM
oh captain my captain
Gibor Israel. The whole nation has your back. Beyond proud. Be safe.
(24) Kobus Botha, August 2, 2014 7:32 AM
Wee pray for Israel and its people
(23) Linda kugel, August 1, 2014 11:51 PM
Heros
You are my hero as are all the IDF soldiers. I only wish your letter would be published in the mainstream media. Stay safe and strong and thank you for protect Israel.
(22) Shilana, August 1, 2014 4:43 PM
Great read and so important for people to read this, it's not just Israel's war , its for humanity.
Thank you for taking the time to write this and for protecting Israel, w/o, gd forbid, the world will crumble.
(21) Victor Gordon, August 1, 2014 7:55 AM
You represent everything that is right about Israel
My Captain, my Captain, you represent everything that is right about Israel and, amazingly, you are no doubt one amongst many. We as a nation are blessed with people of your calibre who have so much to offer and the strength and courage to put words into deeds. You fill me with pride. Take care.
(20) Sientje Seinen, August 1, 2014 4:59 AM
G-d bless Israel and its people
Wish that all people would speak like you do, and have a love of your fellowman in their hearts. I am sorry about your friend, such a shame to have his life cut short at such a young age. May the Lord be gracious to you all and G-d bless.
(19) Chris Vrecko, August 1, 2014 2:05 AM
Thankyou
Thankyou for such a beautiful letter. There are 1000's of Canadians praying for all of your military and the people in Israel, I have been trying as best I can to share with thise around me, do not think you are alone.
(18) gdfgdf, July 31, 2014 8:57 PM
eh, no
"Most citizens in Nazi Germany were innocent."
Really? I just read a contradictory article on this site, backed by the largest study of its kind:
http://www.aish.com/ci/s/The-New-Holocaust-Discoveries.html
(17) Daveed, July 31, 2014 11:54 AM
Am Yisrael Chai
An excellent letter, Nate, toda raba. I am your fellow soldier, not on the battlefield in Gaza, but on the battle field of toxic media in the U.S. In recent weeks I have lost friends in my stalwart defense of Israel, as they've allowed themselves to be defiled by rancid media lies. The loss of my friends are no less painful than the loss of your dear fallen comrade. My point in writing, is that to underscore that there are those in the U.S. who fight the same battle--on their keyboards. Though our president is Israel's enemy, there are millions of us who would join the IDF in a heartbeat, if permitted. Praying Psalm 91 over the IDF, daily, Daveed
(16) KR, July 31, 2014 7:28 AM
"How is it," they ask, "if your army is so humane, that so many Palestinians are losing their lives, while you are almost unharmed?" Because Hashem is protecting us.
Wishing you safety and peace and success and health.
Thank you for defending and protecting your people.
(15) Joan Katzman, July 30, 2014 11:00 PM
So much for us, who cherish Israel, to know.
Kol HaKavod for this beautifully written piece. For me, the most important information was your clarification of what the world is throwing in our faces ( i.e., "our "cruelty to the Palestinians).Your gentle recollections of Cpt Levitas and your devotion to our beloved Israel is touching and meaningful. God bless you, all our chayalim, and our Land of Israel with peace and tranquility, forever.
(14) Lana Staroselsky, July 30, 2014 6:57 PM
Dear Netanel, thank you so much for writing this amazing article!
I'm a proud mother of a lone soldier, my son is serving in Kfir Brigade.
(13) Edemekong, July 30, 2014 3:18 PM
Dear Cpt. I am a Nigerian and a Christian, I do pray for the State Of Israel. I do follow events about the Land of Israel even when there is no conflict. My prayer for the peace of Jerusalem is done often.
(12) Hilary, July 30, 2014 2:22 PM
Dear Cpt, thank you for article giving an insight of what is happening. I am Kenyan, a God fearing Christian with a good understanding of Israel and the Jews people. The media will only fool the blind. We appreciate the Torah and the great promises the Almighty God Has for the Jews. Am afraid the world is yet to witness or experience the grave cruelty Islamism is about to unleash to the world.
I can't help but believe that Yehudith Shraga's comment regarding your article is very true. The Western and the European countries are deceived, the media is biased and the UN for that matter. But one thing is true, I stand with Israel. I am praying for you and indeed as one put it from an earlier article '...HELP WILL COME FROM ABOVE.' Be encouraged, be strong we are praying for Israel, we love you the Jews. To a true Christian you are a timepiece and we keep watch with you. God bless Israel!
(11) Anonymous, July 30, 2014 1:45 PM
Excellent!
This is excellent! Thank you so much for posting this!
(10) Emma, July 30, 2014 8:33 AM
No weapon against Israel can prosper.love u
Dear Cpt,I am Rwandan & Christian, I am watching & reading every detail about Israel, I pray for Israel especially IDF.I love very much IDF May God protect u.The Victory is yours.
Raphael, July 30, 2014 2:25 PM
In GOD do Isreal put their Trusted
I want to make clear that Isreal will never give up the struggle. The world should not be deceived by Hamas antics by their releasing fighter of children killed where are their fighters.The Holy One of Isreal will disgrace them.
(9) Andrew, July 30, 2014 4:59 AM
I Stand With Israel
Hi Cpt Netanel Amitai, I'm a Singaporean Chinese Christian and I just want you to know that my family and I (and many other Christians here) stand with Israel. Not all of us are fooled by the bias media. May the Lord God give you strength and courage. May you and yours dwell safely under the shadow of His wings continuously :)
(8) Anna Novotny, July 30, 2014 2:12 AM
I now understand the whole situation & cry for your pain!
My prayers are increasingly with you and your country1
(7) Yehudith Shraga, July 29, 2014 9:40 PM
Da'yan haEmet
Dear young soldier,I hope very much that through the death of your friend you've understood, that coming and leaving this world is beyond human will. But it is in the capacity of our will to wish to know what this world is about and what each of us is doing here.
I also hope, that next time when you write an article you will use the words, the meaning of which are more or less clear to you, because if you think that calling Israel "shining democratic beacon of liberalism and freedom in a region plagued with dictatorships and religious oppression" is a complement, then let me remind you, that it is democratic, liberal and free Europe that is shouting right now "Death to Jews"," Gas the Jews", it is democratic, liberal and free US, which has Islamic terrorist training camps on its territory, both world wars were initiated by democratic, liberal, free Europe(ww1-Estimated to be 10 million military dead, 7 million civilian deaths, 21 million wounded, and 7.7 million missing or imprisoned, ww2- Over 60 million people died in World War II. Estimated deaths range from 50-80 million. 38 to 55 million civilians were killed, including 13 to 20 million from war-related disease and famine). Many wars of the 20th century were held by democratic, liberal, free US.Contemporary Islamic world is a copy-paste of the Medieval Europe and the human cost of the American Civil War was beyond anybody's expectations,the young nation experienced bloodshed of a magnitude that has not been equaled since by any other American conflict.
I hope you may see, that democratic, liberal, free world is not the opposite of the dictatorships and religious oppression.The opposite to all above is the Wisdom of Bestowing Forms of Life, which was passed to the People of Israel in the form of written and oral Torah, and is unfolded in the comments of the Jewish Sages=Info war has started long ago and is on since.
Dear young soldier, be sure you understand what this life is about.
(6) Esther, July 29, 2014 8:17 PM
pray for our soldiers
Thank you aish.com for everything you are doing to spread the truth about Israel, its people and its soldiers. I live in Israel and the only thing I can ask is pray for our soldiers. May the All Mighty keep them safe and bring them back home soon.
(5) Sarah, July 29, 2014 6:57 PM
Thank you for writing. Your article is on the mark!
Thank you for willingly putting your life on the line and being ready to sacrifice it to protect our brothers and sisters in Israel.
We are all praying for you and all the other IDF soldiers. This is all we can think about. I speak to my little children about whats going on and encourage them to do good deeds and to pray in the zchut of all of you soldiers and Jews in Israel and they do! Please, if you can, let all your fellow soldiers know we are praying at every opportunity. We pray that G-d watch over you all, protect you all, and give you special divine success in your holy work. With every miraculous story we thank G-d from the bottom of our hearts for each miracle and protection.
I have a soldiers name and pray for him all the time, as do most everyone i know. we each feel so connected and unified, we are all one nation, and have one heart.
Im sorry for the loss of your friend. May G-d comfort you among the mourners of Tzion.
May we only hear good news from now on, and may we merit the redemption now!
Please, tell your fellow soldiers that thousands of miles away we are all thinking of them, praying for their safety and success! may G-d protect you all!!!
(4) Esther, July 29, 2014 6:03 PM
thank you
Thank you Aish for publishing this piece.This article explains the current situation in Israel so clearly.It should be read by all decent people who wish to gain the proper perspective.
(3) henny, July 29, 2014 4:45 PM
thoughts of a supporter of the IDF
Thanks for your honest letter, i will spread it and let read it to every one i know and dont know ,so theywill read the truth that you express so clearly in your letter !! THANKS FOR YOUR LETTER !! and i am grieving with you for such a loss of so a good friend and precious son of Israel ,praying for you and his family and his girlfriend to be comforted ,my heart griefs every time i hear of a loss of live of the sons and daughters of Israel ,praying that the world eyes be opend to the truth of radical islam and that they will help Israel and assist you and your country in the fight and war against these terrorgroups of radical islam instead of warring against you who. Fight for your excitence and very lives. Praying that GOD will turn things around supernaturaly in favor of ISRAEL!! BLESSINGS OF SHALOM AND STRENGT,COMFORT TO YOU AND YOUR COMRADS AND THE GRIEVING FAMILIES IN ISRAEL FROM THE NETHERLANDS
(2) Anonymous, July 29, 2014 3:53 PM
Kol Ha'Kavod Captain Amitai
Dear Captain Amitai,
I salute you for your bravery. From the time I was eighteen, many years ago, and saw kids my age defending Israel and proudly wearing Israel's uniform, I have always loved the IDF. I personally knew soldiers who were killed in the Yom Kippur war, the war in Lebanon, and two who were taken into captivity by Egypt and Syria, but thankfully were returned safely. I agree with you that it is very sad about the people in Gaza. These people are uneducated. They don't know what their so called government of "Hamas," is doing to them. They are uneducated about education, technology, and medicine. They seem to live the most primitive lives. That therefore, does not make them innocent. If they wanted to, they did not have to elect Hamas into government. They could have held rallies and demonstrations against their way of life. Instead, many support Hamas, and know full well what they are up to. Perhaps, here and there, are a few Palestinians who realize that Hamas is poison, but alone cannot do anything. As far as the Germans are concerned, I beg to differ with you there also. Daniel Goldhagen's book, Hitler's Willing Executioners," ,shows not only were the masses of Germans virulent anti-Semites, but Hitler did not have to work very hard to get the cooperation of the German people when it came to killing Jews. The book is well researched, and truly shocking, how he claims, that there were many Germans who actually enjoyed shooting Jews into mass graves. The Germans turned against the Jews immediately after Hitler came into power, and that could not have happened, unless the anti-Semitism was buried deep inside them. Anti-Semitism never goes away, never lessens, it just lies in wait for the right circumstances. Again, I say to you Kol Ha'Kavod! May you and all of the IDF's soldiers stay safe.
Lisa JW, July 29, 2014 6:22 PM
WW2 Liberated Jews
Added note to your point: scores of prisoners (Jews and otherwise) liberated from concentration camps were not welcomed back to their German & European neighborhoods. The prisoners were driven away if they tried. The German people were suffering their greatest defeat and wanted no reminders of WHY.
Les Abramovitz, July 30, 2014 2:05 AM
Virulent anti-semetisim
I will abstain from reading Goldhagen's book because its truth is widely apparent and nauseating.I f we are the chosen people I would pray for any change in status for what we have experienced as the chosen people. The big picture continues to erode for our chosen beliefs and way of life.
Anonymous, July 30, 2014 12:50 PM
Virulent anti-Semitism
Being the 'Chosen People" does not mean that g-d promised us perfection. It does mean, that he will not abandon us, or the land of Israel. In both cases, that is the truth. Every country or people who tried to take us down, are gone, up until and including the Nazis. In the Passover Hagaddah, it says, that "in every generation they will arise to confront us, but g-d will save us." This time, although sadly there are losses on our side, WE ARE FIGHTING BACK and succeeding! The world is not used to that. They would like us to continue to be lambs to the slaughter. Goldhagen posits, that anti-Semitism is an outgrowth of the Jews not accepting Christianity, back in the third century, when John Chrysotom presented it to the Jews. Chrysotom then decided, that if the Jews do not accept Jesus, then we must be the devil, and lower than the lowest being on earth. This idea took hold over the centuries, and like a stone gathering moss, morphed into horrible innuendoes, lies, blood libels, and worse, not to mention jealousy, at our amazing successes, despite terrible adversity. Goldhagen posits, that anti-Semitism has never will never go away, it only needs the right circumstances for it to be virulent, like right now, in all the countries in Europe. We will always struggle until such time, that it ends, but we will never ever be wiped out. The enemies can threaten all they want, and they do get more dangerous, but we will withstand them too. That is why we are the "chosen people."
(1) Janice, July 29, 2014 3:38 PM
IDF Soldiers
GOD be with all of you.