From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Meet Alex, a Ukrainian officer going into battle with a Golda Meir book in his pack
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An Israeli reporter touring a Ukrainian military outpost on the northern outskirts of Kyiv is surprised to run into an officer named Alex, who says his fellow soldiers call him “Zion.”
The soldier tells Yedioth Ahronoth’s Ron Ben Ishai that he got the name because he is an ardent Zionist.
To prove his point he shows him the contents of his combat backpack, taking out his night vision goggles, water and earmuffs.
“And this is my favorite book, Golda” he says pulling out a hefty biography of former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir.
“I take it with me even if it will be my last battle.”
אז רון בן ישי הגיע למוצב הכי צפוני בקייב, ופגש שם את הקצין ״ציון״ שתוך דקה שלף מהפק״ל את הביוגרפיה של גולדה. אמיתי, נשבע לכם, לא נגענו
@ynetnews @YediotAhronot pic.twitter.com/4l3FcL9Lbf— nir (shoko) cohen (@shoko21211) March 8, 2022
Alex, who is not Jewish and calls himself a Ukrainian nationalist and patriot, says he is also a Zionist because “Ukraine has to say thanks to the Jewish people because of your support.”
The Times of Israel Community.