'Troops lack basic gear'
Photo: Reuters
Soldiers' parents collect money for helmets
Mother of reserve soldier forced to collect military gear, contributions, after IDF fails to supply her son and his comrades with proper equipment
Honey from kibbutz Lahav has two sons who serve in IDF elite unit: One in compulsory service, the other one in the reserves. The younger son tells his mother that everything is ok, as much as possible considering the circumstances. The reservist, however, complains that he and his comrades lack basic military equipment, without which it is impossible to go to war.
The son told his mother that his and his friends' requests for additional gear have all been rejected, and that their last resort is to ask for help from home.
"It's unbelievable," she said. "What country do we live in? My son is being sent to risk his life, but they won't even give him the proper equipment to fight with. Is he supposed to stop the bullets with his body?" she asked.
Forced to take matters into her own hands, Honey decided to recruit the missing gear herself. She posted a sign on the kibbutz's notice board, asking kibbutz members to contribute either equipment or money. On a separate paper she listed the items her son and his friends were in need of: Flack jackets, helmets, shoes, flash lights and arterial tourniquets.
Within less than a day, contributions started pouring in. "I received equipment as well as NIS 4,500 (roughly USD 1,000) cash for the purchase of fighting gear. My son and his friends took money out of their pockets, and also collected from friends and relatives."
"If the IDF doesn't protect them," Honey said, "we will."
Matan Tzuri contributed to the report
