Hebron Soldier: We're Cannon Fodder

The interview below was distributed by the press office of the Jewish Community of Hebron <hebron@jer1.co.il>.

Leiah and Jason Elbaum

IRIS

<http://www.netaxs.com/people/iris>

The Hebron Press Office

April 9, 1997

The following is a translated transcript of an interview conducted this morning at 9:00 with a reservist soldier, David Levi, serving in Hebron. The show, Inyan Acher (A different issue) is hosted daily between 8:00 to 10:00 by Dalia Yairi.

Program Host Dalia Yairi: What impressed you during your reserve stint?

Reserve Soldier David Levi: I must define the situation as extremely difficult. A situation has been created whereby soldiers have been transformed into cannon fodder. Simply, cannon fodder. There isn't any other word. They have no mechanism to react, it is forbidden to react. If they react, they are liable to be put on trial.

It reached such proportions that soldiers were cursing the military commander of the Hebron region. They said that he simply abandoned them. He didn't give them any method to handle the problems. And I am speaking of the most basic problems.

I was a commander of what is termed, a jeep patrol, in the area of Shuhada Street. When the Arabs attacked Beit Hadassah from H-1 [the Arab-controlled section of Hebron], of course, soldiers ran to the site. And then, the commander of the Hebron region gave the order, approved by the general in charge of the central region, not to respond. A commander of three crews belonging to a special unit war ordered to go in and resolve the problem. He refused because he was denied all means.

Simply, the situation is very difficult. Soldiers are injured and injured and it is forbidden for them to react. This is liable to lead to death, or simply, I think the Jewish Community will be seized by the Arabs, in this situation.

Radio show guest host Uri Urbach: So what do the senior commanders say? After all, you registered your protest with them. How did they react?

Reserve Soldier David Levi: They said that the Hebron region commander, Colonel Gadi, and the Commander of the Central region (General Uzi Dayan) do not permit means. I'm not speaking necessarily of shooting live ammunition. I'm talking about using plastic and rubber bullets. This is only allowed in very unusual circumstances.

It reached the point where, again, I heard soldiers cursing the Hebron commander. I saw some, including border police, and I don't want to say all their clothing, but they removed the shirts and pants of their army uniforms, and said, "I am not willing to serve in this army."

(The transcript was provided by Ifat-Radio and Television Information)

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