Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., June 27, 2009 Tamuz 5, 5769 | | Israel Time: 09:00 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Last update - 08:16 13/12/2008
U.S. Army sends American-Israeli woman to Afghanistan
By Cnaan Liphshitz, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: U.S. Army, israel news 

The Foreign Ministry on Thursday began reviewing an unusual plea from a 55-year-old American-Israeli woman from Netanya who is fighting the U.S. Army's decision to send her to active reserve duty in Afghanistan.

Citing the fact that Command Sergeant Orli Avior is also an Israeli citizen, the woman's husband wrote Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that his wife's Afghani tour would be "unnecessarily dangerous and irrational." Orli Avior is currently in Kuwait, awaiting mobilization to Afghanistan.

She and her husband Ariel Avior (Ron and Gigi Banjak in the States) immigrated to Israel from Pennsylvania four years ago. Orli had been serving for some 30 years in the United States Army Reserve. Her service included weekly meetings as well as an annual three-week training camp. She will be discharged from the reserves at the age of 60.
Advertisement
According to her husband, she had never been posted to active service before. As a reservist, he says, she received "modest pay" for every hour she spent in uniform. This salary, plus pension payments, was all she received for her reserve service.

"She enlisted in 1976 on a whim, when we were just dating," Ariel recalled Thursday. "Against my advice, a girlfriend talked her into joining the recently-formed women's corps."

In October, amid news of a severe shortage of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Orli Avior was summoned to serve 400 days in an infantry unit in Iraq - a country Israelis are legally forbidden to enter. Her orders were later changed to Afghanistan, apparently with no connection to her Israeli citizenship. Orli, says her husband, hoped she would be reposted if she explained the situation to her commanders, but her requests were not heeded.

Dr. Nissan Sharify, the Aviros' attorney, asked U.S. Ambassador to Israel James Cunningham to intervene. The embassy declined to comment on the matter, but helped in getting in touch with the U.S. Army. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Ward, a Pentagon-based army spokesman, described Avior's case as "very interesting," adding he would inquire about army policy on dual citizens. He had not given a response by the time Haaretz went to print.

"Ms. Avior is a Jewish woman, over 55 years old with no prior experience or relevant training in an infantry unit," Sharify's letter to the ambassador reads. Noting that Afghanistan is dangerous for even the battle experienced, Sharify appealed to Cunningham to help get Orli transferred to a "more appropriate place - even Israel."

Sharify also warned that Islamist terrorists were liable to try to kill or abduct an Israeli citizen in Afghanistan. He said the army might repost her to Iraq, forcing her to break Israeli law. Netanya Mayor Miriam Feierberg, who made inquiries with the embassy, told Sharify that the ambassador suggested Avior renounce her U.S. citizenship. U.S. Army laws prohibit her from speaking to the media, but her husband said this option was out of the question.

"She'd lose retirement and social security benefits that she has accumulated for decades," Ariel Avior said.

He also explained that had Orli failed to report to the army or refused to mobilize, she would be tried for desertion. Ariel Avior, who does not have any family in Israel, talks to his wife every few days when she is able to call home. "It's tough," he says. "She's my best friend. I miss her quite a bit."
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Three years, no Shalit
WATCH: People around world read in various languages Gilad's tale of coexistence.
Demilitarized Palestine
After meeting EU leaders, PM insists controversial plan for peace will gain support.
  1.   Loyalty to Israel interfering with her doing her job 06:20  |  peacelover 12/12/08
  2.   No Sympathy 07:35  |  Mark of Lewiston 12/12/08
  3.   American Citizen 07:57  |  Palestinian Brit 12/12/08
  4.   Denigrating Other Jewish American`s Service 09:16  |  Mark of Lewiston 12/12/08
  5.   This lady, of course, simply doesn`t want to serve 09:17  |  Clickfool 12/12/08
  6.   Outrageous 09:59  |  Nathaniel 12/12/08
  7.   LOL: Doesn`t want to server her country but wants the benefits 10:36  |  Tupac 12/12/08
  8.   She drew the pay for sure... 10:43  |  Tim Estes 12/12/08
  9.   She signed a contract with Uncle Sam,not Israel 11:13  |  PETER SM 12/12/08
  10.   TUPAC I would not speak too loudly if I were you. LOL 11:52  |  PETER SM 12/12/08
  11.   # 4 if anything this media ploy singles her out; CHECKMATE! 12:45  |  eric 12/12/08
  12.   this really IS a sneaky little ploy 13:41  |  eric 12/12/08
  13.   There`s a great expression in Hebrew... 14:16  |  reality check 12/12/08
  14.   Oh Please! 14:49  |  ChanaWashdc 12/12/08
  15.   American-Israeli 16:17  |  Ben David 12/12/08
  16.   What is surprising is the lack of age barrier 16:21  |  Raquel 12/12/08
  17.   Unbelievable 16:46  |  Daniel 12/12/08
  18.   SIMILAR SITUATION & SOLUTION 16:50  |  Lieutenant Roffman 12/12/08
  19.   When the country needs you, you run away! 17:00  |  GK 12/12/08
  20.   Send her, If we loose you can say so what. 17:03  |  Old man 12/12/08
  21.   A mess of her own making 17:12  |  Rob 12/12/08
  22.   Dual citizenship... an excuse to avoid dual responsibilities. 17:17  |  Erastus CoupeDeVille 12/12/08
  23.   US needs a draft 17:24  |  Henry 12/12/08
  24.   Mark Of Lewiston 18:21  |  danite 12/12/08
  25.   palestinian Brit 18:24  |  danite 12/12/08
  26.   Note 18:28  |  Danite 12/12/08
  27.   #1 Mark You surprise me. 18:55  |  Big Sur 12/12/08
  28.   It is inherently wrong for her to deny duty. 19:22  |  Magnus K. 12/12/08
  29.   She should shut her mouth and do as she is told. 19:32  |  MIKE 12/12/08
  30.   (14) don`t be silly! 19:33  |  Magnus K. 12/12/08
  31.   Israel interfering in US troop deployments 20:16  |  Pablo B 12/12/08
  32.   Mark #1: Many Jews serve with honor 20:48  |  Orkochav 12/12/08
  33.   Are we that desparate? 21:29  |  W 12/12/08
  34.   appropriate, not desparate 21:45  |  Richie 12/12/08
  35.   appropriate, not desparate 21:47  |  Richie 12/12/08
  36.   Something Is Wrong 21:49  |  Steve Kerzer 12/12/08
  37.   Protect Elderly Reservists 21:59  |  Solomon 12/12/08
  38.   This is typical jewish behavior 22:01  |  yezmar 12/12/08
  39.   She is 55 and is in infantry. 22:03  |  Gary 12/12/08
  40.   Mark Of Lewiston 22:08  |  danite 12/12/08
  41.   Taliban and 55 year old women soldiers 22:27  |  Connie 12/12/08
  42.   #18, Big Sur, you surprise me more... 22:46  |  Silvienne 12/12/08
  43.   I am Stunned that Our Embassy in TA is even Talking Back... 23:00  |  Monitor 12/12/08
  44.   #18 Big Sur 23:01  |  Daniel 12/12/08
  45.   Silvienne #22 23:18  |  Jay 12/12/08
  46.   US Army Reservist 23:27  |  Eric Roth 12/12/08
  47.   amazed, stunned, flaberghated! 00:03  |  k 13/12/08
  48.   How many Jewish soldiers now? 00:03  |  Dennis Loh 13/12/08
  49.   Old-Age Service. U.S. Army 00:06  |  The Teacher/Instruct 13/12/08
  50.   AMERICAN -ISRAELI RESERVIST 00:27  |  STEVE NEFF 13/12/08
  51.   service 01:13  |  Shmuelshachor 13/12/08
  52.   Connie on sexism and ageism... 02:17  |  BBSNews 13/12/08
  53.   ALL Afghanistan is a combat zone 02:20  |  W 13/12/08
  54.   I`ll Back Off Some 02:37  |  Mark of Lewiston 13/12/08
  55.   Israeli American 03:01  |  Joe Kelsall 13/12/08
  56.   23 Henry - No Way! 03:02  |  Mark of Lewiston 13/12/08
  57.   BBS News 03:26  |  Connie 13/12/08
  58.   Oh I did "profile" you correctly Connie... 04:38  |  BBSNews 13/12/08
  59.   Danite, you can tell a Jewish person by looking at them? 04:57  |  BBSNews 13/12/08
  60.   #48 Partial Answer 05:13  |  BigJoe 13/12/08
  61.   # 37 to solomon re: reservists 05:50  |  eric 13/12/08
  62.   Hi Danite 05:53  |  Mark of Lewiston 13/12/08
  63.   BBS News 05:53  |  Connie 13/12/08
  64.   Hi Big Sur - I Surprised Me, Too 06:05  |  Mark of Lewiston 13/12/08
  65.   BBS news 06:32  |  Danite 13/12/08
  66.   Old story 06:33  |  Colin Wright 13/12/08
  67.   Mark of Lewiston hello 06:37  |  Danite 13/12/08
  68.   NOBODY spends 30 yrs in the reserve against their will 06:40  |  eric 13/12/08
  69.   # 54 to mark re: mo` money mo` money 07:58  |  eric 13/12/08
  70.   # 67 to danite re: the rank of command sergeant major 08:31  |  eric 13/12/08
  71.   She made a choice 30 years ago and now wants to run from it? 09:26  |  Benjamina 13/12/08
  72.   Danite - why mention Moslems...zenophobia perhaps? 10:29  |  Palestinian Brit 13/12/08
  73.   American Israeli woman in Afghanistan 10:42  |  DT 13/12/08
  74.   am an israel in the US military 11:21  |  Aba 13/12/08
  75.   #Danite 13:27  |  David 13/12/08
  76.   A proud Israeli-American 14:12  |  David 13/12/08
  77.   sanity has taken leave of this talkback 15:48  |  k 13/12/08
  78.   Connie`s idols 16:06  |  mariapalestina 13/12/08
  79.   US Army send Amer-Israeli to Afghanistan 16:46  |  Irv 13/12/08
  80.   ONLY MEMBERS OF ROYALTY 16:54  |  Robert 13/12/08
  81.   david 17:44  |  danite 13/12/08
  82.   #4 Marc of Lewiston 17:53  |  Scott G 13/12/08
  83.   #26 Note...propaganda 18:18  |  Scott G 13/12/08
  84.   she signed up took the pay now she must play 18:37  |  ralph 13/12/08
  85.   #7 TUPAC - Long time no hear from you 19:25  |  *BEN JABO 13/12/08
  86.   BSnews - Pray tell us, where did you serve? 19:28  |  *BEN JABO 13/12/08
  87.   #3 Palestinian Brit 19:35  |  *BEN JABO 13/12/08
  88.   #22 Rastus - Dual citizenship-dual obligations 19:37  |  *BEN JABO 13/12/08
  89.   American Israeli 19:57  |  Joe Kelsall 13/12/08
  90.   A Very Unique Case 20:36  |  Mark of Lewiston 13/12/08
  91.   American citizen 22:10  |  rmv 13/12/08
  92.   #88 - The uniform of the day in 22:27  |  Erastus CoupeDeVille 13/12/08
  93.   Israeli-American 22:31  |  Gregory 13/12/08
  94.   PETER and BEN: FYI 00:27  |  Tupac 14/12/08
  95.   82 Scot G - Maybe a First-of-its-kind Case 01:51  |  Mark of Lewiston 14/12/08
  96.   Mark of Lewiston - and what is the lesson? 06:48  |  Mark Lincoln 14/12/08
  97.   amusing reservist 08:58  |  The Homing Pigeon 14/12/08
  98.   Reservists 09:40  |  Steve 14/12/08
  99.   Dual citizenship is for the birds 10:29  |  Jim 14/12/08
  100.   #76 The real story 10:42  |  David 14/12/08
  101.   #36 Steve Kerzer 10:44  |  Jim 14/12/08
  102.   Bring back the draft? 14:52  |  janet 14/12/08
  103.   #92 "THIRD TRY" ERASTUS 16:44  |  *BEN JABO 14/12/08
  104.   Lt.Roffman (Simple solution) 17:36  |  Irene 14/12/08
  105.   U.S. Army sends American-Israeli woman to Afghanistan 21:13  |  Marie 14/12/08
  106.   100 David - Thanks 07:47  |  Mark of Lewiston 15/12/08
  107.   American-Israeli woman is serving 11:36  |  Orli Avior 24/01/09
  108.   US Army and women 18:41  |  Karen McKay 12/02/09
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
More Headlines
01:04 Blair: Netanyahu election could be a blessing
03:00 Obama scoffs at Ahmadinejad's demand for apology
23:20 Are Fatah and Hamas on road to reconciliation?
00:16 Israel envoy blasts UN report on Palestinians as 'biased'
01:11 Set to become Lebanon PM, Hariri meets with Nasrallah
06:28 Disgraced financier Madoff ordered to forfeit over $170b
00:27 Thousdands of Haredim protest against opening of Jerusalem parking lot
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
04:44 Israel's Dudi Sela reaches fourth round at Wimbledon
02:55 Michael Jackson death still unsolved after autopsy
13:47 Bringing Gilad home - A look at the Shalit family's struggle
10:57 Shalit transfer to Egypt is imminent
13:39 Meet Aaron Katz, Poland's first openly gay rabbi
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved