An IDF lieutenant who was responsible for two Iron Dome batteries during Operation Pillar of Defense claims the stress of her position led to her contracting diabetes, and she is now suing for compensation as a result.
‘A’ was healthy when she entered the IDF and she volunteered to serve in a combat position in the aerial defense unit of the military. She signed on for three years, adding a year to the women’s compulsory service of two years. She completed officers training and during the war she was placed in charge of two Iron Dome missile defense systems, in the southern areas of Sderot and Netivot.
Represented by attorney Anat Ginsburg, she explains in her lawsuit that she was responsible for 18 soldiers, all rookies who recently completed basic training along with two non-commissioned officers. Ginsburg explains the pressure on her client was enormous as terrorists fired indiscriminately around-the-clock. She explains her client was aware of the fact that the slightest error would be costly, adding to the mounting pressure. The attorney pointed out in one case an incoming rocket landed 200 meters from her and in another case, a rock landed right next to them but miraculously, it did not detonate.
Ginsburg explains that the unit determining when rockets were fired from the Iron Dome was in another location, and therefore, defensive rockets would launch without her being aware and the explosions, which were deafening, were constant and they came by surprise, adding to the level of anxiety. She was also responsible for a generator located just 50 meters from the Iron Dome and the explosions during the war were “deafening”.
Shortly following the IDF offensive operation, ‘A’ took ill, showing signs of diabetes and a diagnosis was made confirming she now has the illness. She is now insulin dependent Ginsburg explains in the lawsuit, blaming the IDF.
‘A’ is in the process of being discharged due to her illness and she is seeking to be recognized as a disabled IDF veteran to entitle her to benefits.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
Wow! Medical history. The first person to develop Type I (insulin dependent) diabetes due to stress.
Well, it seems Israel has picked up some characteristics of American law.
Wow! This sounds more frivolous than a lawsuit in America! This woman seems to have been overzealous about her enlistment, signing up to a combat unit and adding a year to her compulsory service. Now she wants to blame the IDF for rockets fired by Hamas?!!
Stress, yes indeed. After all who would ever expect a soldier in combat to suffer stress. Everyone know it is all just a lark. You know, like an action video game. And they want more like this in combat units? Insane is not the word.
There is no place for women in the military. 99.9% are not suited physically, emotionally or mentally to be soldiers. All of the “womens” jobs can be just as effectively done by female civilians. There is no need for them to be soldiers.
Converting the Army into some sort of social experiment is at the best criminal irresponsibility and possibly an act of treason.
If she has not yet done so, perhaps she should instead be hosting a (sugar free) Seudat Hodaah for the miraculous non exploding rocket, I presume that was a typo, that landed next to her?
#3 – One of the reasons the IDF is staffing more field positions with women is the shortage of men – guess why there is a shortage of men …