Does the IDF Care Enough About the Safety of Its Soldiers? (207)

Orthodox Conundrum

Is the Israeli army taking care of its soldiers? That’s a question with a potentially painful answer.

Daniel Mael has helped donate over 13,000 helmets to IDF soldiers, along with thousands of vests and other equipment - and he argues that the army’s behavior in procuring equipment has been nothing less than scandalous. In fact, he claims, the Israeli army knows that its protective equipment is often out of date and faulty, but for whatever reasons continues to provide that flawed equipment to its soldiers.

While others (some of whom are cited on the podcast) argue that Daniel is incorrect, it's difficult to question that there have been real and noticeable equipment shortages and problems; there’s enough smoke, in other words, to worry that the fire is real.

If Israel’s leaders are going to send our children to the front lines against a vicious enemy, they also have the absolute responsibility to provide them with equipment that will protect them effectively. If they do not, it’s unacceptable - and Jews across the world should demand accountability and answers.

Let’s hope that Daniel’s concerns are overblown, or at least that there’s a reasonable explanation for something that’s upsetting regardless. But if he's right, we need an accounting, and we need it today.

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