Baloney: Israeli Soldier Brought Up On Charges For Eating a Pork Sandwich In Uniform

The religious orthodoxy of some Israeli laws have long been a point of contention in the country, particularly with the large secular Jewish population over everything from dietary limitations to segregated buses. A U.S. born Israeli soldier found out about these pervasive laws when he was brought up on charges after being spotted eating a pork sandwich in uniform. His secular grandmother had made him the sandwich and it initially landed him in jail with a 11-day sentence. After an outcry from the family and secular Jews, the sentence was lifted but the soldier was confined to base. Then all punishment was lifted and military spokesman Brig. Gen. Motti Almoz issued a statement “We were wrong. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will continue to keep kosher on one hand, but will not probe a soldier’s sandwich on the other.” A truly Solomonesque decision. General Almoz added “There are tensions in Israeli society and there are different stances and opinions. There is room for everyone in the IDF.” One place to start in making room for “everyone in the IDF” would be to drop the dietary regulations and simply make kosher meals available for those who want them . . . and allow others to eat sandwiches from their bubbes.