Natan Cohen

Letter from a tank commander in Gaza to the Israeli people. I cannot confirm its authenticity, but it appears to be real: Hamas is stronger than the left. It is also stronger than the right, and also Bibi & Ben Gvir. Our enemy is stronger than Israeli high-tech and the settlement enterprise. Tel Aviv's beautiful soul has no chance against them, nor does the periphery. But Hamas has no chance against Israel. When we are united and mobilized, they retreat into their tunnels and pray for a ceasefire. This war has stuck me in a tank, sharing it with two comrades, between two "Shiny Sheens" one who served a year and one who served four, a Smotrich voter, and a Ben Gvir voter, and I seemingly have nothing in common with them. But the army's melting pot poured us back into one unit, a tank crew. At some point, we adopted and started talking about everything. About the Haredim, about the Supreme Court, public transportation, core studies, even sexuality, everything. And what did we discover? That we agree on about 90% of the issues. Let's assume they are really nice and were being agreeable, so about 80%. Until about a month and a half ago, they were the enemy. We met on both sides of the fence, but Hamas reminded us that we are essentially on the same side. Our politicians draw their strength from the division between us. They take the 10% - 20% disagreement between us and turn it into the main thing, because that's what gives them a mandate to "represent" us, to fight in our name. They do it at the expense of our security, our welfare, our taxes, and our freedom (also our freedom to pray, by the way). I see many people looking for ways to contribute to the war effort, Sending underwear, socks, cigarettes, and combat gear. Moroccan mothers who sent us fish and couscous for Shabbat, and kibbutz retirees who drove these pots to across the country. Techies who came to install 360-degree cameras on the tank, something the army is not quick and flexible enough to do on its own. And hilltop youth that the army refused to draft at all, came on Saturday, cut, sowed, and stitched so that we wouldn't enter Gaza without protective covers shielding us from drones. As far as I'm concerned, the most important contribution is for you to unite as a people, work to come closer. Focus on the similarities and set aside a bit of difference. Invent frameworks that will connect us even outside the army. I know it's complicated with issues of kosher and modesty and separation and no-separation, but I trust you. This is the most important thing, that we be together. Because we, the soldiers, from all our tribes, enter enemy territory and endanger our lives not for any government or politician, but for the people of Israel. Please, make sure we have a country to return to.

A clear articulation of the Israeli perspective. What does he get wrong?