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City job ‘like Israeli war zone’
Anna Davis19 May 2009
A City trader who left to join the Israeli army has spoken out about the similarities between the jobs.
Seth Freedman grew up in Hampstead Garden Suburb and worked as a stockbroker in London for six years before moving to Israel in 2004, where he served in a combat unit of the IDF.
He said: “Whether decked out in pin-striped suits or combat boots, the short-term, adrenaline heavy atmosphere is what links two war zones.” Mr Freedman, who is now a writer in Jerusalem, said for both jobs he endured months of training and was paralysed with fear on his first day “in action”.
But he added: “Ultimately the thrill of the chase — the pure, unadulterated action of both the City and the Israeli frontline — was enough of a drug in itself to keep me hooked for months and years.
“However, once the veneer wore off and the underlying morality (or lack of ) in both worlds shone through, the comedown was vicious.”
Reader views (6)
Isn't it a bit odd that it is deemed "acceptable" for someone growing up in Hampstead Garden Suburb to go off to another country and fight in that other country's army? Would this person have served in the British army? I know many examples of people growing up in Britain going off to fight the Palestinians, even bulldozing down Palestinian homes. This is incredibly unjust.
- Sam, London, 20/05/2009 08:24
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I have read both his books - very different styles and subjects
"Can I bring my own gun?" all about his time in the army and afterwards (quite a serious read)and then the latest drug filled city exposee "Binge Trading" which is a much easier and racier read about drugs, corruption and money in the Square Mile. Loved it!
- Sarah Abrahams, london, england, 19/05/2009 15:37
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Clarity ,sorry i didn't realise going to war ment that no-one dies ,silly me
- Adam, london, 19/05/2009 14:40
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They killed enough of ours when we were hunting them in 1945/1946, Irgun and Stern. I was there.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 19/05/2009 14:01
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Who said anything about killing people...?
- Clarity, London, 19/05/2009 13:04
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It must be really exciting killing people , what fun sounds great ???
- Adam Kay, london, 19/05/2009 10:49
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