Urban warfare changes people. What will this mean for Israeli soldiers?

January 4th, 2024

The following is a letter I sent to the LA Times. They published it today.

“I have friends who are Palestinian. I have Israeli friends. The cost of this war for residents of the Gaza Strip is extremely high. The price that the Israelis are paying is also exorbitant, although they may not realize yet how much this fight will cost them.

My oldest son fought in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Army. There, he participated in urban warfare, kicking in doors and clearing out buildings. He killed at least one man up close and personal. My son came back changed, and not in a good way.

Israeli soldiers are doing exactly the kind of bloody work my son did in Iraq. They will come home after the war damaged in mind and spirit, if not physically injured. 

Israel may win this war, but in many ways, it will be a pyrrhic victory. They might very well have an entire generation of young people return maimed in some way. I have seen how that can happen.”