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Comment by noworriesnate | Hacker News Reader

So anyone who has ever served in the IDF is fair game? Got it

> anyone who has ever served in the IDF is fair game?

Aren’t they? Particularly if they’re still doing work for the IDF or are active reservists.

No, that’s the point, Israel wants their civilians to not be targeted even though many/ most of them have served in the IDF, but they targeted this man.

In some ways, Israel is a military State because everyone (with some minor exception) is required to serve in the military. If everyone is a trained soldier, the only true civilians are the children ...

Actually not true. Most of the ultra orthodox are exempted from service and are a huge source of the support for continued military operations. Because they don’t have to actually put themselves at risk.

It’s been the primary source of netenyahu’s ability to stay in power.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly580gkd9ro

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/g-s1-121631/israel-military-u...

That's the "minor" exception I mentioned. But, as you must be aware, there is also a strong political campaign in Israel to remove this exemption. This is also likely to be a major political issue in the upcoming election.

the same guy will have a sook about the 'hostages' on Oct 7, many of whom were actually in the IDF lol. Double standards galore with these lot.

Joining armies used to mean something.

When, and what?

That you were prepared to die for that flag.

Until about 50-100 years ago, I’d say that’s when people started fuzzing the realities of death and war.

I'm not sure what you mean. From what I see and conversations I've had with service members, joining the military still absolutely entails awareness (if not quite preparedness) that the person may die for their nation. Are you arguing that people in Hezbollah or the IDF are not aware of this reality?

I’m pointing out that this commenter doesn’t seem to be aware:

> So anyone who has ever served in the IDF is fair game? Got it

Ah, thanks for clarifying. But still, my understanding is that military personal are generally aware of their nationalistic-mortality (for lack of a better term) when they are in active duty, but expect to relinquish that mortality risk after they leave the military.

Has that changed in any way? Maybe I'm naive, but it seems to me that there was always a massive distinction between a service member who is currently serving, regardless of whether it's a combat or hq role, and a veteran.

> Has that changed in any way?

The Internet/OSINT, primarily, if you want an honest answer.

They’re looking for lots of people with security clearances, right now, reportedly…kind of the same thing. Once you’re under the flag, you’re on the board - right, wrong, or indifferent.

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