Naomi 9

Capt Nachman rises and a hush falls over the assembled company. "There is a sport called ice hockey. Hands up all who have heard of it."
All the men, half the secular women, none of the Haredi women.
"This game is played on a large sheet of ice, is practical and popular only in cold countries. Big in Canada, northern USA and northern Europe. Hands up all who have read of the company Hockey Haven in the business section."
Less than half the men, two secular women, no Haredim.
"Hockey Haven's market is Canada and USA. It does not produce uniforms for the actual teams, but has the license to manufacture team logo jerseys for sale to fans, who wear them to games. Where Israel comes into this, Hockey Haven has bought a vacant warehouse in Ramallah, will obtain legal title in less than a month.
"This is one of those deals that benefits all parties. Canadians get low labor costs; Palestinians, jobs; Israel benefits overall from this prosperity. After all, if they're working and earning, they're less likely to revolt. Now into this picture comes the wild card. Hands up all who have heard of the Peoples Anti-Sweatshop Alliance."
Not one hand.
"Now PASA is known only to Intel, has yet to hit the papers. Word is they have some two dozen militants and are brand new. Which could mean anything. Could be talkers who like causing disruption or could be looking to get on the map with a big action.
"PASA is threatening to blow up this warehouse. That's where we come in, we guard it until the Canadians get legal title. At that time, they will hire security guards from the PA (Palestinian Authority). Any questions?"
A male Cpl rises, "Cap, why always us for empty buildings?"
"I turn that question around, ask you one. If we do the job right, some 250 families in Ramallah have cause to thank us, not that they will of course."
Laughter.
"Cpl, think of it, does not Palestinian prosperity contribute to Israel's overall security?"
"Certainly Cap."
A Haredi woman rises, "Capt, with all due respect to your rank. There are many poor Jews, why not locate in a Jewish area?"
"It's been tried, twice, failed both times. ABC Garments and Leisure Style both moved on after they were unable to get staff."
"I would suggest to you Capt, they never tried a Haredi area, strong work ethic."
"All I can reply to that, Israel has no authority to tell a company where to locate, that is their decision to make. Perhaps they were looking at cheaper real estate in Ramallah."
Another Haredi rises, "I suggest we all look at the bright side. Of all the places we could be in Ramallah, surely this is best. At least on this, Palestinians are not our enemy."
A male Cpl rises, "I one up that statement. Since Palestinian jobs are on the line, likely they will tip us off if they learn anything."
As we file out, my new friend Tzipi says very quietly, "Naomi, I didn't want to discourage people, but your Capt has it backwards."
"How so?"
"Almost all these sewing workers will be women, right?"
"Ye-es," by now, I know where she is headed.
"Palestinian men will be most happy to see the women at work, take the earnings away and buy more AK-47's."
I groan inwardly, knowing she's right.
"So they really should have chosen a Haredi area after all."
I nod, pointless to deny the obvious, then grin, "and that is to say nothing of all the bribes to the PA."
On our way to the transport convoy, I'm accosted by a woman showing press ID for Haaretz, "so Lt, how does it feel to make history? To be the first to lead a female Haredi unit into battle?"
"We'd prefer that there is no need for battle; however, we're ready."
"How ready are you?"
"This is the highest average range score of any platoon I've ever been involved in. Everything Haredim do, they do their best."
"Lt, would you care to confirm or deny that the Trotskyite Splinter Group is coming after you?"
"Last I heard, they were going after the Knesset. Why waste their time on a peasant like me?"
We both laugh.
"But you did not confirm or deny my statement Lt."
"Quite so."
We arrive in Ramallah to find a royal screw up. Building is no longer vacant, Canadian techies are moving in equipment. PA security guards are on hand. The foreman informs us our dates are wrong, the Canadians already have legal title.
We check with HQ, who discover their error. We wait around for alternate orders.
Since they have nothing else to do, we are ordered to go back in the hills, do target practise for a week.
The Haredim are already quite good, because their training is fresh. They boost scores considerably. The rest of us, mostly rusty, get better.
And then we get to go home early. It proves a fun summer. Tzipi lives a kilometer away. We visit back and forth, loan books.
And that is wonderful. To make one new friend, makes the whole stupid debacle worth while.