IDF base - imposter 'walked in freely'
Photo: Tsafrir Avayov
Woman impersonated IDF officer – and went to war
Young woman released from army due to 'lack of compatibility' purchased uniform, fake rifle and walked freely into IDF bases for half a decade. During the Second Lebanon War she even joined an artillery battery in the north. 'It made me feel good,' she said after being caught
While the debate on draft dodgers rages – at least one person seems willing to go many extra lengths to serve – even if the army isn't interested.
A 24-year-old young woman from Jerusalem was arrested on Tuesday on the suspicion that for the past five years she has been entering IDF bases and impersonating an officer holding the rank of captain. The suspect even apparently went so far as to join up with an artillery battery during the Second Lebanon War and aided the troops.
The investigation began after a soldier from northern Israel filed a complaint with the local police that he suspected the young woman of stealing special purchase slips issued by the army to allow soldiers to buy uniforms outside the military. In his complaint the soldier said he believed the woman was an imposter.
Fake uniform and firearms found in woman's home (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
The case was soon transferred to the Jerusalem police, who apprehended the woman and brought her in for questioning.
In her statement the woman said that she found she could enter various IDF bases freely and often slept at guest houses for soldiers throughout the country.
The woman was not found to be suffering from any psychological disorder. She said that during bouts of depression she would don the uniform and walk around IDF bases. "It made me feel good," she explained to the detectives.
During the war she traveled north to an artillery battery stationed in Manara and presented herself as the deputy of a Givati company commander before setting to work aiding the soldiers.
The woman said she purchased the uniform and jump wings at a store and also bought a fake M-16 assault rifle, complete with a telescopic sight and laser marker for $930.
"I was sure she was insane – but it turns out she's completely lucid," said Command Sergeant Major Avi Brackman, who headed the police investigation. "This is a girl who served in the IDF as an operations sergeant. She wanted to become an officer and serve as a combat soldier, but her commanders decided not to send her to the officer's course and she was discharged early due to a lack of compatibility," he said.
'I stood in front of the mirror and saluted myself'
Brackman added that the young woman even followed ranking protocol: "She decided to promote herself. Initially to first lieutenant and then, when she realized that at 24 she would likely no longer be holding that rank, she bumped herself up to captain.""I stood in front of the mirror," she said in her investigation, "put on the uniform and saluted myself."
In a search conducted in the woman's house police uncovered more uniforms, two fake M-16 assault rifles, maps of IDF firing ranges and stacks of munitions shells.
"Luckily, she didn't go into Lebanon. It's also fortunate that she didn't make extensive use of the military equipment we found and didn't hand it over to hostile entities – like the classified maps we found," said Brackman.
The woman was released following her investigation with certain restrictions. She is also forbidden to approach IDF bases or guest houses for soldiers anywhere in the country.
Upon completion of the investigation the case will be transferred to the Jerusalem District Prosecution to determine whether the State deems her offenses serious enough to merit an indictment.
