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The Young Australians Who Joined the Israel Defense Forces
(ABC Radio-Australia) Andrea Thiis-Evensen - Mai has lived in Australia all her life, but volunteered to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) when she turned 18. In her experience, she says, the IDF is "morally admirable. I can say whole-heartedly that I have never seen a more ethically-grounded military when dealing with one of the most complicated conflicts in the world." She says she saw IDF soldiers go to the aid of injured Palestinians, and help get them food and medication. "From personal experience, as soldiers, we're taught first about the importance of humanity, that we are all human beings....We were told about the severe consequences of misconduct towards civilians of all cultures and backgrounds." "We don't enlist into the IDF for the chance to kill a terrorist or make ourselves out to be heroes. We know that we are serving in order to defend the Jewish nation - to defend our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. We are part of the Israel Defense Forces - not the Israel Attack Forces." She concludes, "I would do it all over again in a heartbeat."