'I sleep on the street': Bedouin fights for lone soldier status
A young Bedouin soldier has been fighting for his lone soldier status after it was revoked, leading him to sleep on the streets; IDF says they are looking into the issue.
A 20-year-old Bedouin soldier from the north has spent the last three months sleeping under a tree in the area surrounding the Haifa central bus station.
The young soldier, who was previously registered as a lone soldier by the military, is claiming that returning to his hometown would put his life at risk, and as such is demanding the IDF recognize his eligibility for lone soldier status once more. The army for its part claims that the soldier is receiving all the relevant benefits.
"I had problems within my family, but I decided to draft to the army nonetheless, because this is my country and I want to give back to the country," the soldier told Ynet. "I was recognized as a lone soldier for four months, and the army allowed me to sleep at the 'Bet Hachayal' (a center where soldiers can sleep and eat), but then someone from my family went and told the army that I was lying. Even my company's welfare officer said I was a liar, and revoked my status."
During his time off from the army, the soldier is forced to spend his time in the streets. "No one is caring for me, for my sleep, for food, I don’t have anything to drink, I can't do laundry. While I was sleeping in the street, someone tried to steal my bag, and stabbed me. I don’t understand why no one is helping me, why are they treating me this way.
"I turned to the person responsible for welfare on my base, and told them that if I was sleeping in the 'Bet Hachayal' I wouldn’t have been assaulted. I even spoke to my officer, but no one has helped. It feels like racism to me, because people are not treating me like a human. I risk my life for a living, and I do it for my country, but no one appreciates it," the soldier said.
Even though he has said that returning to his family's home is not an option from him, and may put him at risk. According to the soldier, "If I go back home, there is a chance that I wont return from there alive. People in my village don’t like the army, and my father has said 'If you join the army, don’t come back home.' I joined the army anyway, and have been afraid to go back since. They may kill me."
Regarding his demands from the army, the soldier said, "I want them to recognize me as a lone soldier, and give me my lodging privileges back. I fought against my family because I wanted to contribute. Let me shower, eat like a human, and be like every other soldier. This is the price I pay, because I want to contribute to my country."
The military said in response, "Out of care for the soldier's well-being, he has been closely monitored by his commanders and welfare officials from his unit."
