A shapely young brunette presumably an IDF soldier – with a machine gun slung over her shoulder, standing in a provocative pose in a striped bikini as she enjoys the sun on a crowded beach standing next to an equally attractive friend wearing an equally tiny bathing suit.
Both men and women in Israel, with some exceptions, are required to serve a term of military service in the Israeli Defense Forces. Soldiers in Israel must keep their weapons with them at all times…even when they are off duty (although that term may not be completely appropriate).
Israel is a tiny country under the constant threat of terrorism. Despite being substantially outnumbered by the countries in the region, it is said that the number of wars and border conflicts in which the IDF has been involved in its relatively brief history since the Jewish state was founded makes it one of the most battle-trained and efficient armed forces in the world
If you’ve visited there, while it may be disconcerting to tourists, it’s quite common to see soldiers on the street, at a bus station, or elsewhere in day-to-day life perhaps on a weekend pass with their rifles slung over their shoulder. But they are usually in uniform rather than wearing a bikini.
As Haaretz further explains about the gun-toting soldier in the bikini,
To an Israeli, the photo makes perfectly practical sense. When soldiers take their weapon off military premises, they must guard it closely and keep it on their person, at all times. Having one’s weapon stolen is harshly punished with time in military prison a given.
It’s worth mentioning too that Israel is the only country in the Middle East with a Western-style, secular and multicultural democracy where all citizens, regardless of religion or non-religion, or ethnicity, enjoy the protections of civil rights.
Here is Gizmodo‘s take on the bikini-clad Israeli soldier:
When you go to the beach there are a few things you must remember: your towel, your sunscreen, and your assault rifle. At least, if you’re in Israel…She’s presumably an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) solider, meaning she’s required to carry her weapon with her at all times. And even if she was just showing off, she looked incredibly badass doing so.
Are you even more impressed with the quality of the Israeli military
[url=http://www.inquisitr.com/286406/bikini-wearing-rifle-toting-israeli-soldier-makes-splash-on-the-internet/#TTZgJWZFFUkMWKEQ.99]Source[/url]
[b]I'm just wondering how she swims with that rifle clinging onto her body[/b]