[AP/Washington Post] Aron Heller - Israel's mighty military is comprised of thousands of ordinary civilians who, at a moment's notice, respond to the call to arms. On Friday, several thousand reservists were drafted for immediate, emergency duty. By Friday night, the army chief of staff announced the response was full, plus thousands who volunteered on their own initiative. All 18-year-old men are drafted for three years and will continue to do reserve duty for about a month a year into their 40s. Women are drafted for two years. "There was no dilemma, no doubt in my mind because it is something you grow up with, that this is the most important thing there is," said Roy Bass, a 27-year-old computer programmer who received a recorded call-up message on his cell phone Friday. "It's ingrained deep inside you - if they call you, you go."
2006-07-24 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive