When you were at Erez Crossing, did you have any doubts about what you were seeing?Back then, I don’t think I had any doubts. I was convinced I was on the humane side. I was happy that I, as a good soldier who wanted to help people, got to be in the place that gives the permits.
Was that your goal for serving in the DCL in the first place?I didn’t choose it, but yes, I was happy that I wasn’t in something combative. I didn’t want to be violent.
And do you see it differently today?Absolutely, yes. I think it might not look like the violence we’re used to hearing about, violence at the checkpoint, or soldiers abusing Palestinians. But it’s a different kind of violence. It’s bureaucratic violence. We use a great deal of violence against Gaza. During the rounds [of fighting] themselves, we use a lot of violence and sow destruction, and it’s part of the same strategy. Now, I see [those rounds of fighting] as having to 'mow the lawn' every few years, and in-between, Gazans have to be kept on a very short leash, not allowed too many exits and entries, not allowed to do many things we’d take for granted, like being able to fish wherever we feel like, or being able to fly. It's a prison.