Nightmares, substance abuse, suicide, divorce: Things that Isreal Defense Force vets will soon have in common with our vets from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Remember what happened to our World War II, Korean and Vietnam vets? Post traumatic stress syndrome? Shell shock?

Nightmares, substance abuse, suicide, domestic violence, divorce?

Remember when we sent our friendly, happy young men marching off to war with a bounce in their step and they returned as silent, driven, haunted shells of themselves?

Well, that is the cost of war. But when the IDF comes marching home again and Israel is filled with blooded survivers drowning out their nightmares in Mogan David, Prozac and heroin, will those men who procured the big bucks to send the flower of Israel out to "protect" the Occupied Territories also find the resources to pay for their rehabilitation?

Hint: Ask victims of Agent Orange and the Gulf War Syndrome how easy it was for them to get treatment. Or just check America's drunk tanks, homeless shelters and jails.

Can Israel -- a country the size of a postage stamp that you can drive across in less than an hour -- afford to have such a high percentage of shell-shocked veterans hanging around their street corners?

What? You say that Israel has a high-tech army and this won't happen to YOUR vets? Cobras, armored tanks and F-16's will protect them? There is no protection. High-tech killing creates the worst nightmares of all.

Israeli war hawks seem to think that the misery of their country's sons and daughters (never mind the blood of the Palestinians) is a reasonable price to pay for seizing the West Bank's farmlands, orchards and water rights. Israeli war hawks seem to think that the blood of Israel's people is a small price to pay for water in their swimming pools -- and the $8.5 million per day that they receive from America (and salt away in Swiss bank accounts?)

Israeli citizens may agree with said war hawks. That is their choice. But please make sure that they are also aware of the hidden price that they will have to pay -- and pay and pay and pay.

Please make certain that they really know exactly how high the cost of real estate in the Occupied Territories has become.

This is an important time -- when Arab leaders are willing to recognize Israel for the first time in exchange for Israel's release of the Palestinian lands. To decide to continue the war despite this offer is a big decision. But before the Israeli people make it, they need to talk with American vets, especially those from Vietnam.

Very truly yours, Jane Stillwater, Berkeley, CA

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"Imagine a world where EVERY child is wanted, nurtured, protected and loved: World Peace in one generation!" And no more strung-out vets with nightmares and no more sons coming home in body bags.