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Border Police forces in Hebron
Photo: TPS

Erdan calls to include Border Police in IDF's combat soldiers benefits plan

'All Border Police officers, all over the country, are at the forefront of the fight against terrorism,' public security minister says; 'It's incomprehensible the IDF chief discriminates between IDF combat soldiers and Border Police troops,' says father of slain Border Policewoman Hadas Malka.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has called on IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot to give Border Police officers similar benefits as the ones offered to IDF combat soldiers.

 

 

"They deserve this on merit," Erdan said during the annual ceremony commemorating fallen Border Policemen on Wednesday evening.

 

Earlier this month, the IDF chief presented a new plan to prioritize frontline combat soldiers in both classification and benefits in an effort to encourage motivation to serve in combat units.

 

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Photo: Ido Erez)
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Photo: Ido Erez)

 

According to the plan, on their third year of service, combat soldiers' pay will increase from NIS 1,620 to NIS 2,000.

 

The plan, which is still awaiting approval from the Defense Ministry and the government, calls for prioritizing combat soldiers based on the level of personal risk they face.

 

Erdan lamented the fact Border Police officers, who face constant danger, are not set to be included in the plan.

 

"Solomon Gavriya, Hadas Malka, Hadar Cohen, Benjamin Yaakovovich have all given their lives in this wave of terrorism, in battle with terrorists in the Damascus Gate, Hebron and Har Adar—they are frontline combat soldiers," Erdan said.

 

"All Border Police officers, all over the country, are at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. They are the ones who deal every day and every hour against the damned terrorists. There isn't a more front line than this!" the public security minister continued.

 

Erdan with Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh (Photo: Zohar Shahar)
Erdan with Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh (Photo: Zohar Shahar)

 

"The Border Police officers are at the forefront of the fight and unfortunately have been paying a heavy price, but they've prevented much graver disasters," Erdan stated. "In recent years, the Border Police has become one of the most important security bodies in Israel."

 

"I will do everything in my power, along with the police commissioner, to ensure Border Police officers are included in the new plan," he vowed. "A Border Police officer deserves the same pay as his counterpart in the Golani Brigade."

 

Speaking about the terror attack in Har Adar this week, in which two security guards and one Border Policeman were killed, Erdan said, "The investigation is still ongoing—in the Shin Bet, the IDF and the police... according to all eye-witness accounts, the security guards and Border Policemen on the scene acted with total devotion, charged the attacker and were able to eliminate the terrorist and prevent a much graver attack, had he been able to enter the community."

 

'They are all our soldiers'

David Malka, whose daughter Border Policewoman Hadas Malka was killed in a terror attack while on duty at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, slammed the IDF chief's decision not to include Border Police officers in the new plan.

 

"It's incomprehensible the IDF chief discriminates between IDF combat soldiers and Border Police troops," he said. "There is no difference between our fighters in the Border Police and out fighters in Givati, Golani or the Paratroopers. Today, Border Police officers protect this country. They protect Jerusalem and the surrounding area."

 

The Cohen and Malka families, who lost their daughters under similar circumstances (Photo: Zohar Shahar)
The Cohen and Malka families, who lost their daughters under similar circumstances (Photo: Zohar Shahar)

 

Malka went on to say, "The battle field has changed, and the home front has become the frontline. I suggest the IDF chief takes a tour of Jerusalem and sees exactly what Border Police officers do, while they risk their lives to protect us and save lives. We must remember they are all soldiers of this country, and there is no need to discriminate between one fighter and another."

 

Ofer Cohen, whose daughter Border Policewoman Hadar Cohen was also killed in a terror attack while on duty at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, added to the criticism.

 

"It doesn't make sense. It's true the Border Police is not on the frontlines. Border Police officers are cops, but they are fighting right at the forefront. What the IDF chief did dishonors the Border Police officers."

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.28.17, 18:12
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