Serial No. 3817131
By Rachel Papo
Powerhouse Books, 128 pages, $39.95.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child proclaims that its signatory states “shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons below the age of 18 do not take a direct part in hostilities and that they are not compulsorily recruited into their armed forces.” But at the attainment of majority at 18, it is thought, one has already known the best of life, and now it is time, if there would be any, to serve in the military and kill people, and also, in America, to consent to marriage and smoke cigarettes, but not to drink alcohol.
In Israel, 18 marks the age of compulsory military service, and Israel is one of the relatively few countries that compel its women to serve. Rachel Papo was born in Ohio in 1970, and today she lives in Brooklyn. Her book of photographs of female soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces is, in a perverted sense, self-titled: “Serial No. 3817131” was Papo’s identification from her two years with the Israeli Air Force.
Other photographs might frame tensions, but Papo’s are tension incarnate: Their surfaces represent as so domesticated, so mundane, that the viewer is plunged not into art but into noisy and hot Israeli reality. This state is not that of the documentary, though, because the documentary, by detaching its subject from worldly context, ends up specializing the subject, surrounding it in a halo of particularity, or exoticism. Papo’s photographs do the very opposite: They preserve context, however fractious, and so you see these women — young heroines or sanctioned murderers, depending on your viewpoint — mired in the everyday, on leave, ordering fast food, opening a locker and riding a train.
Papo’s images of these unknown, unnamed soldiers are arranged chronologically: Her book begins with induction (“I hereby swear, and fully commit myself, to be faithful to the State of Israel, to its constitution and authorities,” etc.) and continues through to active duty, desert ennui. Accompanying are sparse texts, exclusively quoted remarks from the women or, as above, IDF official verbiage. In the progression of these images, like a column of advancing tanks, Papo shows us time, but no change. Her soldiers’ interchangeable smiles are as ambivalent in basic training as they are after their bearers receive their weapons and learn how to fire them with an accuracy that would shame any words, or photographic representation. On duty, these women accessorize with canteens of water, cigarettes and M-16s. Off duty, the accessories are Coca-Cola, more cigarettes (they all smoke, and their brand is L&M Blue, which could wage an entire ad campaign off these shots) and, always, those automatic weapons, which are to be slept with and even taken into the bathroom.
Papo’s stated motive is to present young women at a crucial time in their developments, pulled from their lives and forced into the unfeminine. But with their awkward fashionista poses and Papo’s glossy lighting, these photographs begin to seem like soft pornography, innocuous in image but lurid and explicit in motive. The origin of that confusion is obvious from only a cursory glance. We’re given every nod to sexuality, and then we’re presented with the utilitarian, the aridly sexless surroundings. Once such tensions are espied, so, too, is the demographic for this project, and the images blur into boredom: Papo’s work is made for an American market, as what Israeli mother would need to look at pictures of a woman who is probably her daughter?
A parting shot: Papo served in the Air Force as a photographer, where she took photographs necessary for technical applications, such as repairs, and also portraited soldiers in promotion ceremonies and the like. We should rather view those shots, seen from the inside and made for the inside, than these, which are observed not just exteriorly but also with an ulterior eye. Of course, those photographs are property of the IDF and disallowed from distribution. It’s still the forbidden — and not the bloody or sexy quotidian — that titillates, no matter how banal.
Joshua Cohen is the literary critic of the Forward.
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Mr. Cohen, I take extreme exception to the following phrase in your article. "...young heroines or sanctioned murderers, depending on your viewpoint" Self defense, by all legal definitions, is not murder. Any fool whose naiveté is fueled by a life that is not under threat of immediate and personal extinction, needs to take this lesson deeply to heart. Anti-semitic arabists who have not de-nazified since their alliance to the Germans in WWII, would love for you to propagate the idea that Israeli soldiers are "sanctioned murders," but it is a hateful position and in no way is it legitimate. Unlike America's pro-active war in Iraq, the Israeli army is a Defense Force. The unfortunate mistranslation of the 5th commandment (mistranslated as: Thou Shalt Not Kill) has led to a cult of doe eyed innocents claiming that all violence is exactly equal in moral weight. The 5th Commandment reads in Hebrew "Do Not Murder." Murder is the killing of a person who has done nothing to provoke his or her own mortal extinction. Killing in self defense is the unfortunate but wholly necessary termination of the life of someone who is actively trying to murder you. Does this really need to be explained? Sadly, yes it does. The Israeli army is known as the IDF, and is correctly titled: The Israeli DEFENSE Force. That phrase, "young heroines or sanctioned murderers, depending on your viewpoint" has no business what-so-ever being in your article. It is naive, works only to the tune of an anti-semitic logic, and is wholly repulsive. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I believe this is an important book, because it reflects a particular reality, articulated by an author entrenched in its unfolding. I have always had a genuine respect for the abilities of women. I was born in a family with an older sister, who was stronger, faster, and generally more talented than me. Therefore, I realized early on, that with proper training and conditioning, women, in many areas and disciplines, can compete, as equals with men. Of course, men are, in general, faster and stronger than women. But a highly trained woman can often defeat a lesser skilled man in a violent confrontation. In short, many woman can, through proper training and conditioning, become excellent military technicians. Yet, I know that most men have a special regard for women; as mothers and potential mates and life long companions. I suspect biology and socialization is at play here. It is difficult, and often impossible to view most women as just comrades in arm, especially in the front lines of battle. In support roles, their vulnerability is less at issue. The perceived "necessity" to encourage or allow women to operate in direct confrontation with enemy forces, constitutes, in my way of thinking, a sad state of governance; a total disregard of spiritual and rational understanding. The evidence is clear. A wounded women in battle has a higher priority than that of a man. Why? Need we ask why? Because she is a women; a particular and special human being. Ideally, a woman allows a man to acknowledge his gentler nature, and become a more complete human being. Where would we be without the "mothering" of a loving woman. This is precisely why, to a large degree, we have functional families. It is a serious mistake to ignore or disregard this innate truth. Certainly, womens roles are changing. In the boardroom, in managerial positions, in the newsroom, sport competitions, political positions, in academia, scientific research, literary accomplishments, and so forth. Women have so much to contribute. This fact should not surprise any enlightened individual. Yet, I argue, a womens place is not in the front lines of violent confrontations. Must I again ask why? Yes, I am sure, many women can hold their own, in such circumstances. No doubt, there are situations where women saved the day. Is this a reality best cultivated. Women should be strong, intelligent, and capable; able to protect their selves and children. Training is great, and advisable. Women soldiers, on the front lines is contrary to a loving society; grounded in spiritual truths and goals. "Purity of Arms" must respect the special position of the best hope for a sane society; the special calling of women, mothers, and life long companions of men. I am somewhat saddened to impart, what is truly, an obvious truth.
Mr. Cohen, I take extreme exception to the following phrase in your article. "...young heroines or sanctioned murderers, depending on your viewpoint" Self defense, by all legal definitions, is not murder. Any fool whose naiveté is fueled by a life that is not under threat of immediate and personal extinction, needs to take this lesson deeply to heart. Anti-semitic arabists who have not de-nazified since their alliance to the Germans in WWII, would love for you to propagate the idea that Israeli soldiers are "sanctioned murders," but it is a hateful position and in no way is it legitimate. Unlike America's pro-active war in Iraq, the Israeli army is a Defense Force. The unfortunate mistranslation of the 5th commandment (mistranslated as: Thou Shalt Not Kill) has led to a cult of doe eyed innocents claiming that all violence is exactly equal in moral weight. The 5th Commandment reads in Hebrew "Do Not Murder." Murder is the killing of a person who has done nothing to provoke his or her own mortal extinction. Killing in self defense is the unfortunate but wholly necessary termination of the life of someone who is actively trying to murder you. Does this really need to be explained? Sadly, yes it does. The Israeli army is known as the IDF, and is correctly titled: The Israeli DEFENSE Force. That phrase, "young heroines or sanctioned murderers, depending on your viewpoint" has no business what-so-ever being in your article. It is naive, works only to the tune of an anti-semitic logic, and is wholly repulsive. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I have a young woman cousin from Kfar Sava who proudly served two years in the IDF, at a base near Hebron. She was a computer technician and could have served closer to home (Kfar Sava), in a safer environment. But she chose to serve in a more dangerous area (though perhaps most dangerous was her trip home on a public bus each weekend). I was and continue to be very proud of her. I have a photo of her sitting on a jeep, holding her rifle (you can see I don't know guns) -prominently on my refrigerator at home. And she doesn't smoke! I think this book is a tribute to all those brave young women. I plan on purchasing it -in spite of Mr. Cohen's somewhat snide review.
I have always believed a woman makes a good of a soldier as a man as history has proven that many of the greatest fighting soldiers were women. At least Israel does not discriminated against women serving in the military as the US does. The photos were great and I really enjoyed the article as it is about time women are credited along with men.
I have not seen the book, but another dimension here is that of the idea of a Jewish army, advanced by Hannah Arendt. The call, "never again" includes the preparedness that as many jews as possible be ready to defend themselves and our people from the onslaughts jews have faced through history and most poignantly during the Holocaust, when starved and enslaved masses operated the Nazi machinery for their own extermination. The jews of modern European history were predominently gentle, sensitive people who did not have the instinct or physical disposition to defend themselves from senseless violence - indeed, who naively concealed from consciousness the enormity of the crimes being orchestrated against them - and the vast majority of European jews perished. The Holocaust called for a self-sacrificing heroism, in which, one by one but altogether, peaceful, violence-hating jews would have found the stamina to kill Nazi trooper and SS men, with hammers, kitchen knives, stolen guns; with every means imaginable - realizing Germany's plan to exterminate every jew, everywhere. Many jews would be killed trying to defend their people; but they would have done so, protecting others from bullets and attempting to kill as many of the Nazi killing machine as possible - rather than accepting the reality clearly presented by the Nazis: we will wear you down; we will work you at our own dirty work; you will leave here only through the chimney. In this perspective, it is understandable that drafting women is imperative for Israel, not merely for immediate purposes of defense, but to create a new society and culture of jews who will fight back; who will not passively or fatalistically accept extermination. Consider a somewhat related case, that of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban (a past which may yet again become the future.) The Taliban essentially made living as a free human being a crime for any woman. A woman can be murdered for a perceived error in the clothes she wears, for practicing a profession, or going to school. Under the Taliban, life for a girl or woman is essentially imprisonment in a concentration camp - nation-wide. One perspective on a remedy is women's defense. When women were being rounded up and slaughtered in stadiums, women needed to train themselves in self-defense, even in military action, with weapons. I realize this perspective will not appeal to many liberals, who eschew violence and prefer to believe that there is always a better way to fight for justice. But how does this work, when they are coming for you, whether to herd you like cattle onto railroad cars to the ovens, or as in the case of Afghan women, to a kangaroo trial and execution in a reign of terror?
"Papo’s photographs ... preserve context, however fractious, and so you see these women — young heroines or sanctioned murderers, depending on your viewpoint — mired in the everyday, on leave, ordering fast food, opening a locker and riding a train." I don't know what Joshua Cohen's agenda is, or where his head is at, but it seems to me that the overwhelming majority of those who would conceivably be looking through Papo's book don't see these women as "sanctioned murderers." [Unless the book is being distributed through the bookshop of the War Resisters' League, or, l'havdil, {Israeli} Anarchists Against the Wall ...] A friend of mine, a democratic socialist Zimbabwean Jewish academic now living in Manchester, UK, put it better than I on his weblog - http://normblog.typepad.com -and I quote: "Yes, indeed, 'depending on your viewpoint'. According to one viewpoint, countries, like people, may defend themselves, and those who serve in the armed forces are soldiers, who are morally different from murderers; and according to the other viewpoint, soldiers are, without more ado, murderers. The reviewer, I would say, is without more ado a numskull." SOURCE: http://normblog.typepad.com/normblog/2008/08/women-of-the-idf.html Gevalt.
Mr. Cohen, your screed of a review convinced me to buy the book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. --The New Centrist http://newcentrist.wordpress.com
I strongly agree with Akiva Potok. Those that walk the path of freedom because of the few that are willing to give so much in the fight for liberty, sometimes are the first one that fails to understand the necessity of defending one's way of life.