On the Front Lines •

“Serving in a combat unit is the best and worst experience of my life.” “You have to keep a military mindset, but also a humane mindset. It’s a very fine line.” “Inside this tiny place we talk about everything. We know everything about each other, our strong points, our weaknesses, everything. It’s like a family, but even closer. We have conversations about things I never thought I’d ever discuss with anyone. That’s what makes it so great. I know I’ll be connected to these girls for the rest of my life.” The tension between individuality and stereotype, between authenticity and symbolism find expression in photographer Debbie Zimelman’s Women on the Front Lines: Inside the Combat Units of the Israeli Army with an afterword by Shlomit Harrosh.