Son falls in Lebanon, dad goes to reserves
Itzik Kobi's son Idan killed in Lebanon war; father decides to volunteer for reserves duty in his place
Itzik Kobi (50), from the town of Yaara in the western Galilee, is returning to the IDF reserves, volunteering for duty in his son's old unit: Idan Kobi (26) was killed during the war this past summer.
"I want to continue my son's path, from the moment in which he stopped. I want to fill his place and help the State. I'm sure he would do the same thing in my place," Kobi said.
Kobi submitted the request to return to reserves duty a few weeks ago, after he heard his son's friends telling stories about Idan's military service: "I heard how he helped all of his friends and how they're sorry he's gone and I want to fill that void – to help his friends in the unit where he served."
He told Ynet that he has a hard time dealing with the ongoing criticism of government and military leaders, pursuant to the war. "What's there to criticize?" he asked.
"There were mistakes and they should be investigated, but there's no need to make so much noise. There's no need for so much hatred. Our enemies see this and are happy," he added.
"Among those criticized was my son's division commander, who was in a neighboring building to the one my son was in when it was hit by a rocket and he was killed. What could he have done? It's roulette. The rocket could have hit his building instead, and he's married with two children."
No other land
Kobi, who is a driver for the hospital in Nahariya, has lived in Yaara for twenty years. During the war, he risked his life driving medical crews and casualties amidst the barrages of rockets.
On the day his son was killed, the father recognized familiar faces among the wounded and tried to question Idan's friends, but they refused to tell him the bitter news until the body had been retrieved from Lebanese territory.
"Despite the heavy price I paid, I think this war was justified. As a resident of the north who lives right near the border, I experienced the situation prior to the war. I saw with my own eyes how Hizbullah built itself up," he said.
"No one put up a deterrant. No one thought to stop them. Now people come and blame this government for deficient behavior that was actually the fault of previous governments," he added. "As a resident of the north, I ask where all the previous governments were, when the Hizbullah infrastructure was being built before their very eyes."
Kobi received a positive answer from his son's division commander. "He said I can re-enlist for reserves, but that Idan's unit is not active right now," he said.
Kobi said that he heard his two other sons, ages 8 and 12, talking amongst themselves this week about what they will do in the army. "The little one said 'of course I'll go to the paratroopers'" he recount. "It's clear to me that the day I'll have to allow them to go (to combat units), I'll do it."
"We have no other land and we need to defend the one we've got. Even though my son was killed, my country is still here."
