@swilkinsonbc

Israeli Olympic athletes are israeli troops; many openly called for the genocide in Gaza: this is Sagi Muki, part time judoist, full time child killer

[Image of Sadi Muki]

[Left image: He is wearing a Blue Gi]

[Right image: He is wearing Israeli military uniform]

Source: https://x.com/swilkinsonbc/status/1819303564067455120

      • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
        143·
        3 months ago

        When basically every Israeli is “Israeli troops,” it really doesn’t mean much.

        I have an immigrant friend from a country (not Israel) with mandatory military service. He spent a year playing a French horn or something in a military band – whoop-de-fucking-do. But people like the article writer would have us believe that he’s equivalent to the most gung-ho zealot commando simply because he did the bare minimum of his legal obligation.

        It’s just dishonest and unpersuasive to anyone who isn’t ignorant about Israel’s conscription policies.

        Now, the part about them “openly calling for genocide” – that’s persuasive. But it would’ve been a lot more so if the writer hadn’t flushed their credibility due to the above.

    • jimmydoreisalefty@lemmy.worldOPM
      415·
      3 months ago

      Bit tricky to find info aside from:

      Ultra-Orthodox group is now being drafted[1] , article below is from 2018.

      Hence, compulsory military enlistment in Israel is but an old myth. In reality, 35% of the Israeli population carries the burden, while the remaining 65% find ways to avoid military service without having to suffer any consequences.

      According to the 1949 Israeli Security Service Law, conscription to military service is compulsory for all Israelis who turn 18. Only two groups are exempt from mandatory military service: the ultra-Orthodox and Arab Israelis. Together these groups constitute over 30% of the Israeli population and, as their birth rate is significantly higher than other groups within Israel, they are set to constitute a whopping 60% of the Israeli population by 2050. The implications of these groups’ continued absence from Israeli military conscription cannot be ignored.[2]

      When Israeli students finish high school, most must serve two or three years in the country’s defence forces.

      Mayroz said that, while Arab citizens and some others are exempt from completing the service, the majority of young people are required to do their time.[3]

      1. [1] Reporting by Christian Lowe; Editing by Angus MacSwan | July 12, 2024 | https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-security-cabinet-extends-military-service-report-2024-07-12/ ↩︎

      2. [2] AVI JAGER | OCTOBER 18, 2018 | https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-myth-of-compulsory-military-service-in-Israel-569779 ↩︎

      3. [3] Aleisha Orr | 17 October 2023 | https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/military-conscription-is-mandatory-for-most-israelis-heres-how-it-works/9x0j9xhw5 ↩︎