Among the Israeli civilians, the soldiers are honored by all, revered by the majority, and noticed by everyone in a market full of shoppers. The Israeli youth see these soldiers with large guns and, as all young children do, envision themselves in a Rambo-esque situation, where they are the lone victor at the end of a violent and bloody battle. But as we get older, we see that it is more real.
Many people die every week.
Israel's mandatory military draft at the age of eighteen serves the purpose of maintaining a strong and tactical army, but it robs the Israeli teenagers of the spontaneity and joy of youth. Gal's initial desire was to be a member of the Israeli Air Force, the most prestigious area of the Israeli military. Instead, he was accepted to serve in a commando unit, specializing in top secret missions against their bordering enemy countries, specifically Lebanon. The origination of the IDF, referred to as Tzahal by the Israelis, began in 1947, when a people's army was collected to defend themselves and their land. Initially called the Hagannah, this army was made up of the adult male farmers that cultivated what was then called Palestine.