Soldiers to expound on Israel

Two members of the Israeli Defense Forces will share their stories on campus today in honor of Israeli Independence Day.

The soldiers will talk about their experience in the armed forces and Israel's history as a country at 2 p.m. in the SUB Sandia Room.

Major Ashrat Bachar's speech will center on the progress women have made in the armed forces since the country declared independence in 1948.

"There are a lot of things that have changed, and I want to tell them about the equal opportunity given to the women through those years, and I'm going to do that by telling you my personal story," she said. "It used to be a very unique thing that the women will be in a very important job in the Army."

In Israel, men are required to serve for three years, and women are required to serve for two.

Staff Sergeant Shaham Darkat's speech will center on Israel's past since the Holocaust and World War II.

Darkat said he will talk about what was achieved during those 61 years and the connection between the Jewish people in Israel and in the United States.

"As you probably know, there are Jewish people all around the world, and Israel is the only homeland of the Jewish people," he said. "Because of the Holocaust, there are a lot of connections from Jews from all over the world to Israel.. There is a really strong connection between the Jewish community overseas and here."

Darkat said it's important for students to know the connection between Israel and the United States, because both are democratic countries that fight for independence and the spread of democracy.

"These countries are related by their shared goal," he said.

Student Yuval Carmi, a native of Israel, said Israel is very different from the United States. Carmi said life is calmer, easier and more relaxed in the U.S.

"People here can concentrate on the important stuff in life. There aren't so many national problems, and over there, important things are neglected a little bit," he said.

Carmi, member of the Israel Alliance, said he has been in the United States for four years and plans to finish his degree at UNM and return home after graduation.

Donald Gluck, president of the Israel Alliance, said he wants students to know the struggles Israelis have been through and their history.

"I think I would like (students) to realize that Jewish people are very old, that they have always been in that part of the world in that area, and that Jews want to live peacefully with their neighbors, but they certainly want to persevere," he said.

Gluck said the Israel Alliance will kick off its celebration today with a memorial service to commemorate Israelis' sacrifices for their country.

An estimated 22,570 Israelis have died fighting for their country since 1860, he said.

The group will also have exhibits, booths, music and food outside of the SUB during the event to display Israeli culture.

Israeli Independence Day

Today

Memorial

11 a.m.

Outside the SUB

Discussion

2 p.m.

SUB Sandia Room