Injured soldier’s battle-damaged helmet
Monday, April 1, 2024, 12:47 A combat soldier who volunteered to fight in Gaza after completing his mandatory service was injured in combat. He was detained by the Military Police on suspicion of possession of weapons he took home from the combat site. The soldier, who has been detained for two months, cannot continue his necessary rehabilitation process while under detention. All his family’s requests to grant a suffering soldier suitable treatment have been refused. On behalf of the family, Honenu Attorney Adi Keidar, who is representing the soldier, petitioned the High Court of Justice for his release from detention.
The soldier served in the Haruv Reconnaissance Unit as a light-machine gunner (Negevist Hod) and completed his mandatory service in October. In contrast to most of his friends, he volunteered to take part in the war in the Gaza Strip. He joined his commander and fought in tough battles in Gaza. In one of them, he was injured in the head by gunfire and nearly lost his life. The soldier was evacuated to hospital where he began a long and complicated rehabilitation process.
Approximately one week after the soldier was injured, Military Police investigators suddenly informed him, in person, that he was being detained on suspicion of taking a terrorist’s weapon that he had shot as a souvenir. He is also suspected of taking additional weapons that were found shortly before his detention.
Galit, the soldier’s mother, said, “My son is mentally deteriorating. He is developing a post-traumatic syndrome. The prison psychiatrist lowered his [military] profile to 21. Every day that he goes without treatment causes far-reaching consequences. He needs treatment, now, immediately. We are pained by the court’s decision to hold him in remand until the end of the proceedings. The court decided that my son is a danger to the public. Isn’t that inconceivable? Instead of giving him a warm and loving home, and psychological and medical treatment so that he will heal, and not turn into a burden on the State, G-d forbid, the military system is trying to mentally destroy him. We are brokenhearted.”
The family demands the soldier’s immediate release and intends to put up a protest tent opposite the military prison where he is in custody until he receives psychological care.
Honenu Attorney Adi Keidar commented on the case: “The conduct of the military judicial system regarding their treatment of combat soldiers is regrettable. They are ignoring, to the point of abandonment, the unique condition of this soldier and his brothers in arms. We stress – not for the first time – the need for a genuine reform of this system, and the sooner the better.”