Is this much different from going on jihad?

[Pannonian]

That's easy, because I considered it carefully before deciding to join. My commission was from Her Majesty and I served the British government. In the event that Irish troops attacked British interests, I would have defended my men and carried out my orders.

In fact, we had several "confrontations" with Gardai - not quite troops, but official representatives of the Republic.

My decisions were based on what I felt was right at the time. I would not have joined the British Army of the 1920s for instance, I would have opposed it. In a different context, were I a German in the last war, I hope I would have had the courage to refuse service in the German army and seek to oppose the evil regime as a member of the allied effort. I would not have seen this as a treasonous act in any way.

The world is not made up of simple black and white scenarios as you would have it. This fellow has considered his options and feels that his personal ethics would be fulfilled by serving in the Israeli Defence Force. I imagine that he would have considered the various implications, as I did.

I very much doubt that he would "happily" fire on British peacekeepers (few soldiers are "happy" about firing on anyone, let alone in that situation) but I imagine he would do so if ordered. After all, his reasonable expectation would be that the "peacekeepers" would not be trying to engage in a war with Israel. Should such an Israeli incursion happen despite the peacekeeping force, you can be pretty sure British troops would be pulled out PDQ.

This does not make him a traitor to the United Kingdom.

Let's see his reply then.

What happened to the British and American citizens who were found in Afghanistan when we invaded that country? Wasn't at least one of them a bona fide fighter? Since he/they were fighting in support of the established government of Afghanistan of the time, and we were the invaders, the terrorist card can hardly be used. The only difference might be if we were formally at war with Afghanistan. So what should the status of these people be?

FWIW, this doesn't mean I support efforts made against us in Afghanistan, or that I denigrate our efforts there. On the contrary, imo any British citizen found fighting against our troops should be summarily shot. If they survive to face due process, they should count themselves lucky.

I very much doubt that he would "happily" fire on British peacekeepers (few soldiers are "happy" about firing on anyone, let alone in that situation)

You don't know him then. His sig used to be the slogan of a group that has been proscribed by the Israeli government as terrorists. He posted a eulogy last year to the spiritual inspiration for said group, that made Adrian II go off his rocker.