Brothers in Arms: A Beacon of Hope and Justice in Israel’s Darkest Hour

In the early days of the war, our battalion was stationed at a remote outpost with scarce resources. I remember vividly when a member of Brothers in Arms drove hours to reach us. When I asked him if it was not too late for him to drive so far, he answered me: “Yehuda, my friend, so what if it’s 11:00 a.m.? I’ll be at your base around 2:00 a.m. I’ll do anything to make sure our soldiers have what they need, it is my pleasure and my duty, and I promised my father who fought in the Yom Kippur war to do everything for the soldiers. Yalla, bye”. He brought not only the equipment we desperately needed but also hot meals and handwritten letters from schoolchildren back home. Receiving a care package with fresh socks and snacks felt like a blessing. One soldier broke down in tears as he read a letter from a child thanking him for his bravery. That night, around a makeshift campfire, we shared the food and our stories, feeling a renewed sense of connection and motivation to continue our mission. Many soldiers and I will never forget that act of kindness and always have hakarat hatov (gratitude) to Brothers in Arms.

Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, there has been an onslaught of lies from our “leaders.” The propaganda machine has launched a campaign against Omri Ronen. Omri, the grandson of the late Nira Ronen, who was murdered by Hamas on October 7, is a former elite commando officer. Recently, MK Galit Distel accused Omri of “having blood on his hands” and stated that Israelis would forever despise the organization he is part of. Omri dared to criticize our government, and this MK couldn’t take it, so she publicly shamed him. Instead of giving answers to the public about the last 9 months, she chose to go personal against a brave soldier. In her political party, hate and avoiding responsibilities have become a way of life. I voted for that party 3 times; I’m ashamed that such individuals represent us in the Knesset. This behavior is neither in line with the Israeli way nor with the Jewish way of how leaders should behave. Shame on you Galit!

Omri Ronen

Omri is considered a hero by many, including me. On October 7th, Omri and his friends bravely defended our country. Just before entering the Gaza Strip, he attended his grandmother’s funeral. I have had the pleasure of meeting Omri several times, and I believe he embodies the qualities of both a fighter and a gentleman, truly representing the best of Israel. People like Omri and his late grandmother Nira, who founded, built, defended, and fought for this country, are the reason for Israel’s existence. No mediocre politician looking for headlines will change that. Even though some of these politicians are avoiding responsibility by lying and blaming everyone in Israel except themselves, I remain hopeful. The vision of unity and justice held by Brothers in Arms propels me forward. Even as we face adversities, their commitment to a fair and just Israel remains unshaken.

I’m currently composing this message from a damaged cell phone while on my second round of reserve duty near the Gaza border. Despite the challenging circumstances, I feel compelled to speak out. Members of the Knesset are spreading malicious lies about good Israelis, and it cannot go unchallenged. In Mishpatim 6 of the Torah, we are taught, “Midvar Sheker Tirchak” (Never Tell a Lie). Lies are abhorrent and detestable to all. There’s nothing more despicable than deception. I refuse to remain silent in the face of such corruption, even during my military service.

To all who are reading this, I urge you to join us this Saturday night at Kaplan. Come and meet the leaders and volunteers of Brothers in Arms. See for yourself the good people who are striving to build a better Israel. Stand with us against deceit. Together, we can make a difference.