''Come to the checkpoint': A new order? The IDF discriminates against wounded soldiers living in Judea and Samaria

October 11, 2021   

The IDF discriminates against wounded regular and reserve soldiers who live in Judea and Samaria - and refuses to provide those soldiers with transportation for medical treatment, as is customary. This was revealed today (Monday) by Carmela Menashe on Kan Hadassah. Eilon Lubiner, a 25-year-old reserve soldier who lives in the Parth area of ​​the Adumim Plain, was injured in his legs during reserve service and was assigned to Ram 2, after fractures were discovered in his foot. About a month later, he needed an examination by an orthopedic surgeon at a hospital, and since he is unable to drive due to his medical condition - he requested transportation, as is customary in similar cases. To his astonishment, he was told: "The IDF does not provide services to soldiers who live across the Green Line. You will get to the checkpoint and they will pick you up from there." In another check he conducted, they replied: "This has been the order for six months." Lubiner: "I am well enough to serve in Judea and Samaria, but the IDF is afraid to send me a vehicle to the community in Judea and Samaria where I live." Lubiner's mother was forced to take a day off from work and take him to the hospital. Lubiner is not the only one. "We are good at fighting in Judea and Samaria with ongoing security, but when we are hit - the border for us is the Green Line," say other soldiers. The IDF Spokesperson's Office responded: "According to IDF guidelines, civilian taxis in IDF service are not allowed to cross the Green Line without a weapon escort, and since it is not possible to provide an escort for any civilian transportation, it is necessary for the patient to reach the nearest crossing. "The IDF appreciates the strenuous work of the reserve service members and provides them with a comprehensive medical and logistical package in these cases." MK Bezalel Smotrich responded: "This is an unacceptable scandal. I will address the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today, demanding that he convene an urgent discussion in the committee and demand that the IDF find a solution that will allow wounded soldiers from Judea and Samaria to receive the best medical treatment like any other soldier." .