Misbehaving Israelis
Re: "4 Israelis to be deported after violent rampage in hospital", (BP, Feb 8).
I applaud the Thai government for expelling these four arrogant and aggressive Israelis who threatened the staff at Pai Hospital, damaged state property and terrorised the local population.
This is not an isolated incident. I have seen some of them doing similar escapades in Manali, a beautiful mountain retreat in northern India.
They travel in large packs, buy powerful motorcycles and drive them recklessly on the already deadly Indian roads.
They never socialise with other travellers and display a paranoid attitude to any strangers, however friendly they may be.
A classic example is several hostels in Khao San Road, which accommodate only Israelis and are openly suspicious of non-Israelis.
When I asked them why they behaved in this manner, they told me that they were letting off steam. Most of them are very young and have just left the compulsory two-year army service to which even women are conscripted.
There, they have been subjected to witnessing atrocities, seeing their comrades killed or wounded, living in a constant state of alert. Especially now with the war in Gaza and attacks on Israel from all sides.
So when they finish their army duty, they have pockets full of money and go on long trips to forget the horrors of war and terrorist attacks.
No, I am not making any excuses for their arrogant, aggressive, unfriendly behaviour. I am just explaining one of the major reasons why it is happening.
And I hope that they, especially not Orna Sagiv, the Israeli ambassador to Thailand, will not start screaming that I am an anti-Semite. No, I am just a friendly man with acute, fine social and observational skills.
Israelis, especially the young ones, relax and enjoy the beautiful world. You have your whole life in front of you.
Miro King, an old soldier
