I’m not sure how citing a mi shebeirach for the tzahal is supporting Zionism, and therefore whether one holds of Zionism or not should have little to do with this conversation. I also think that it is obvious that we owe our thanks to the tzahal – the only question is whether a mi shebeirach is the appropriate way of expressing this. Where else do we find a mi shebeirach to express hakoras hatov to somebody? The only times that we normally do this is for somebody who has done something for the shul – bought an aliah, etc. Why can’t we have the tzahal in mind, along with all of Klal Yisroel, when we say Sim Shalom, Rieah Nu, Shomer Yisroel, Acheinu, etc, etc.
