Hollow cement blocks delivered to Zikim military base
צילום: אמיר כהן
‘My son went straight to IDF’s mental health officer’
Parents of IDF recruits criticize military for continuing basic training at Zikim base, in spite of last week’s Qassam attack
Dozens of IDF recruits returned to the Zikim military base Sunday, less than a week after a Qassam rocket attack on the base, and despite fears of a recurring attack.
Parents of the recruits criticized the army for its decision to continue basic training there. The base is in range of the rockets and has not been fortified since last week’s attack.
Avraham Jana, who escorted his son to the Zikim base Sunday, said, “My son arrived here this morning and went straight to the mental health officer because he is very scared about what happened,” Jana said.
“I’m very angry with the army, why do they have to do basic training in such a dangerous area? True, the army is a dangerous thing, but why at the start of their service? They have to be given a sense of security before being sent to these areas,” he added.
'Jail better than Zikim'
Another concerned parent was Vered Ziv, who said her son was not able to sleep throughout the entire Rosh Hashana holiday break. “My son was rescued from the Qassam attack, and he keeps thinking about what happened,” Ziv said.“At first we thought it would be better for him to go to jail than to return to Zikim, because at least in jail he would be protected. But eventually we decided to let him return there, although we are making every effort to get him out.
“If he stays there, I’ll sleep right outside. That boy is a part of me and I can’t leave that part behind. We are asking that they be sent away from here. He is my only son, but even if I had 10 children, I would feel the same way.
“I wanted him to enlist and contribute to the army, but not in range of the rockets. My husband and I did not go to work today, we didn’t sleep all night, and we are stressed,” Ziv explained.
'Son risking life at basic training'
Yossi Gilbeti, a resident of Sderot, also escorted his son to the Zikim base after a stress-filled holiday. Gilbeti explained that despite his love for his son, he had advised him to serve as far away from home as possible.“When he asked me where he should do his basic training, I told him Kiryat Shmona. Even though it is far away, I’m sure he would not get hurt there.
“We are constantly under Qassam attacks in Sderot, and now my son is risking his life at Zikim. I brought him here despite everything because we believe we have to fulfill our obligation to society.
“The problem is, although we fulfill all our obligations, we don’t receive the rights we deserve,” Gilbeti said.
According to the IDF, a preliminary investigation of last week’s rocket attack was completed, and hollow concrete blocks used as sheltered areas during attacks had been installed.
“The fortification process of the base has been accelerated. The Zikim base will continue carrying out its mission of training recruits,” the IDF’s spokesperson said.
However, the statement did not satisfy Benny Cohen, whose son was also a recruit at the base. “He has two weeks to go. But two weeks is a long time, even one night is too long,” he said.
“I spoke to the officers at the base and they said more hollow concrete blocks would be added soon, but it’s a shame they are taking their time with it, and not speeding things up. Maybe they are waiting for another Qassam to speed things up for them,” Cohen concluded.
