Two lone soldiers post signs for help
Israelis, including MK Itzik Shmuli and his family, rush to feed the two young men who have no contact with their families and who feel abandoned by the authorities.
Two 20- and 21-year-old lone soldiers from Ramat Gan felt so financially abandoned by the IDF that they posted signs over the weekend around their neighborhood asking for help in obtaining food. They were overwhelmed by the positive responsive.
The two live in the neighborhood of Merom Nave, which is also where the parents of MK Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union) reside. The parliamentarian's father snapped a picture of one of their signs and sent it to his son.
Shmuli then showed up at the apartment that they share to pay a visit. He promised to help them with whatever they needed. He said, "As for food, they're set for the coming days, and my family has already 'adopted them.'
The IDF categorizes a soldier who either has no immediate family in the country or who has no contact with their family as a "lone soldier." The two soldiers here both belong to the latter group.
One of them serves in the Ramat Gan base of Tel Hashomer, and the other serves in the Home Front Command base in Ramla. They met at Beit Hachayal, a community center for soldiers, and chose to share an apartment.
The signs they posted nearby their home read, "We are two lone soldiers who live here in the Marom Nave neighborhood.
"We don't have financial support from any source, and the army barely helps us and doesn't really provide a solution, especially regarding food.
"We would be really happy if a family could help us with hot lunches so that, at least regarding food, we'll be able to be relaxed and satiated.
"It's a bit uncomfortable for us to ask for help, but we don't have a lot of choices, and we really appreciate it!" They included their phone numbers.
In a conversation with Ynet, one of the soldiers said that since they did so, people have not stopped calling and offering to help. "People offer us money, but we're uncomfortable with that," he said. "We just wanted help with food. It's wonderful: we have a lovely and special nation.
"We were looking for a family or two who would help us with meals, but after somebody shared it on social media, people from all over the country called to ask how we're doing. Even people from abroad called us."
(Translated and edited by J. S. Herzog)
