I'm a Warrior

Have you ever felt discontented by Governor Reynolds, or President Trump but you still believe whole-heartedly in America and everything that America stands for, and at your core your identity is an Iowan? That sentiment is eloquently expressed in Israel in the form of an open letter, directed to the leadership of Israel, written by IDF soldier Sonny Eisenberg. The letter reveals the heart of those who are currently fighting for the safety of Israel:

“I'm a warrior.

An officer, commander of the reserve team, is responsible for the lives of 21 fighters.

Although I am younger than all of you in life experience, in the army and security, and less than you in rights and intelligence - but I feel the need to share with you things that, in my opinion, are simple and profitable in public in general and with many fighters in particular.

An army is built on trust.

Military and political hierarchy is important. Compliance and execution of instructions and orders crucial to the function of the army and the state. But, a soldier does not risk his life for command. A warrior risks his life for the cause for which he fights. And what makes a warrior obey and execute orders, even if you don't agree or understand them 100%, is trust.

Trust in his commanders, and trust in the commanders of his commanders - up to the Chief of Staff, up to the political rank, and up to the Prime Minister.

I can command my team to carry out A, B, C - but if they do not trust that there is a clear and appropriate goal for the mission, that I have made all the preparations necessary to make sure that we can indeed achieve the goal, and that I have done all I could to make sure we return safely, if I have not done all of this - someday the team will lose Trust in me, and it's only a matter of time until the command you give them has no meaning or validity.

We, the warriors, are willing to risk, and even to give our lives, for a worthy cause.

We have done it before, we do it now, and we will do it again as needed.

There is no more appropriate and valuable goal than ensuring the present and future security of the country Israel. 

There is no more worthy purpose than the attempt to bring back our abducted brothers and sisters.

But there's a trust crisis. The crisis arises from unclear and ambiguous reasons.

And when there is a crisis of trust - the command becomes weak and even meaningless.

The prime minister, the political tier, and the military tier alike - you must restore trust.

If we are going to another maneuver, the prime minister is expected to stand in front of the people, in front of the fighters and their families, and say exactly what the goal is, how will we achieve it, and what will be different this time from before.

Goal, mission, and method.

Prime Minister, political rank and military rank - if you do not give a clear purpose, mission and method, if you do not restore the damaged trust in front of those who conquered the same territories for the third and fourth time, and return for their fourth and fifth rounds in the reserves - we have only to understand that we are going for yet another operation that will not bring any significant achievements. May it not lead to a decision. Another sale.

Prime Minister, if you decide that you are going to occupy Gaza, you are expected to stand yourself in front of the families of the kidnapped and say loudly: "I believe this is the right move for the security of the country Israel. I believe that military pressure will bring about the release of the kidnapped.”

 But this move is not without risking their lives. We'll do all we can to protect them and bring them home.

We want victory, we want a decision. We don't want any more death. We have paid enough. In blood, body, soul and time.”