27 Comments

Etgar, I am sorry. What a post.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

Crikey Etgar - what a freaker. I 'met' you and Lev at Adelaide Writers Week x years ago now, getting my copy of your book signed. Lev was making origami hats for everyone and the line was long. My hat is still with the book, so a little bit of him lives at my place. It's a hellish time to be turning 18. (Can he really be that old? That sweet time here doesn't seem so long ago...). Thanks for continuing to send out posts. It's good to have a kind of real link to your part of the world right now.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

And to Lev, whom I will definitely be thinking of in this next period...

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Thanks he is almost 6 feet tall now and he had switched from Origami to Math but he still stayed ann amazing kid.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

Etgar, thank you - this is so genuine and actual, unfortunately... I believe both arguments used are equally valid. Why such a difference between women (mothers) and men in looking at the same issue? Maybe more women should be actively involved in world politics to solve more conflicts amiably...before a war begins?

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My heart goes out to you Etgar. No parent wants to send their child to the army, and no parent should. The intimate scene you described here is simply heartbreaking because it’s so recognisable. As well as the frustration and anger that things haven’t gotten better. I hear you! I am praying for peace and safety in the region - in the form of responsible, compassionate leaders who will finally recognize that sending our sons into wars is not the solution.

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Hearing this and it is heartbreaking. I am trying to believe another way is possible : it has to be : too many children are being killed and babies cannot be hostages. I pray your son whatever he does will be safe and grown old and help change things along the way. Holding everyone in my heart.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

Time is cruel. It must be a really difficult decision for you and Shira. For the past few years, I've been feeling sorry about my not having any kids, but now I understand having kids can agonize you, particularly when you love your kid so much.

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Geez this is beautiful Etgar. I remember reading this several years ago. We had a pretty painful situation in our family. My brother joined a combat unit and honestly I think social pressure and also the need to get away from a heated family situation led to him choosing that. He was unlucky and ended up serving during the second intifada. It was a very painful experience that changes him and all of us. I left Israel many years ago wanting to give my kids a better childhood. These days I am feeling ambivalent, like we are not home or safe no matter where we are. I hope Lev continues to be safe. I hope our love for our children will help them through the challenges they face. And like Shira I hope the most that we will see peace in our lifetime or theirs.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

Something that I worried about from the moment of his birth; would the government reinstate a draft and take him away? I remember audibly sighing when he hit 25 and was basically beyond prime draft age, although there still is no draft in the US and has not been for many, many years. I always felt that governments were not to be trusted regarding military things.

May Lev be safe, may your Missus be safe, and may you be safe. ☮️

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Sigh. Beautiful and heartbreaking. Thank you.

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Thank you so much for sharing this. I remember those days when peace felt like only a matter of time. May this madness end soon, and may the fates be on you and your family's side.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

I empathize with your position. It takes both sides for peace to occur. Israel's Govt leadership over the last 70 years seem less a problem than Palestinian rejection of peace. Would Israel survive if no one served? Would your wife be happier to leave Israel? Hard to find an answer that doesn't involve some sacrifice. What a dilemma!

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

Thank you Etgar 🙏🏼

But I just think it's important to state here, for non-israelis reading that, that no one lets you or your parents choose whether you draft to the army or not, and where you'll be drafted to.

Refusing to serve in the army might end up in multiple months, and up to a year, in prison.

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You are right. I should have clarified that it is a semi theoretical dilemma , which doesn’t change the fact that many Israeli parents are obsessed by it.

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Etgar, My heart aches for the trials your family will endure. D

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Ugh🧿🧿🧿 I can’t even. I’d be counseling our son Isaac to head to Canada. But then I remember a story my Israeli immunologist told me about a friend of his whose parents got him to America to avoid the I D F. Weeks after he arrived he was killed in a freak accident by a truck. I mean it’s like Sophie’s Choice. Damned either way. To loose a child though is simply overwhelming. Tenderest thoughts & hugs🧿💙🧿💙🧿

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Sad. Totaly sounds like a story I wrote.

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I'm so sorry you all and so many others are going through such a scary, challenging time.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Etgar Keret

Hi Etgar. Please God, the war ends before your son is done with his training. What a world.

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