Terror attack victim rejoins Border Guard
After straining rehabilitation from 2011 terror attack injury, Albert Sabah returns to Border Guard; 'My dream as a kid was to serve the country,' he says
Sabah made aliyah from France as a teen and moved to Ashdod with the goal of joing the IDF. In the attack that left him moderately injured, Sabah served as a sort of “human shield” between the terrorist and hundreds of party goers standing outside the club. He and other guards at the entrance took the brunt of the hit, thereby preventing greater tragedy.
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“I don’t remember much from the incident, just standing on the corner of the street near the club, and then the terrorist’s taxi driving up quickly and sending me flying in the air after it hit me.” At the Sourasky Medical Center, doctors found breaks in his hip and pelvis, as well as bruises and lacerations caused by glass shards, all over his body.
Slow recovery (Photo: Disabled IDF Veterans’ Organization)
Sabah was hospitalized for two weeks, as platinum rods were implanted in his body in order to assist the fusing of bones. Then, he began a demanding rehabilitative process at Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer. Both the police and the Tel Aviv municipality presented Sabah with a certificate of recognition.
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Scene of the attack (Photo: Yaron Brener)
“I went through two long, nightmarish weeks, during which all I could see was black. If I heard a car approach quickly or a boom, I would wake up in panic,” he said. “I began from zero in the therapy process. First in a wheelchair, later on crutches. Today I still have pain.”
Although originally given a high level of handicap, Sabah never gave up. He will be re-inducted to complete his military service, after receiving extended support from staff at the Soldier’s Home of the Disabled IDF Veterans’ Organization. This included sports rehabilitation and physical therapy.
“Even now they still help me,” Sabah said. “They knew that ever since childhood, I dreamt of serving the country and doing my part.” Sabah first came in contact with the organization, as do most disabled soldiers, while in the hospital. There, the group’s representatives began their relationship, and accompanied him throughout the recovery process.
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