A Fallen Soldier’s Father Appeals to the IDF: Release the Soldier Who Fired the Shot

David Yaari, whose son Ehud HY"D was killed last week in southern Lebanon by an accidental discharge from his fellow soldier during an operational mission, appealed to the IDF and demanded the release from detention of the soldier who fired the shot. This was reported today (Thursday) by Ynet.

The bereaved father also met with the soldier’s father, whose son was detained after the difficult incident, and said: "I will come to court and tell the judge to release Ehud’s commander. Let him return to the fighting in defense of the state, to his soldiers who are fighting in Lebanon. The court needs to understand that this is war and release him. Let him go back to fighting and doing what he does. He has already received his punishment for the rest of his life. They should leave the criminal aspect aside and draw lessons from the investigation into the use of a new weapon. The soldiers need to be strengthened during wartime."

David added: "The values Ehud grew up on were contributing to the State of Israel. Our soldiers need to hold their heads high, stand tall, and know the goals of the people of Israel—to win, defeat the enemy, and bring peace to this country through strength. Taking a soldier, putting him in detention, and investigating this through a criminal process is a mistake and weakens our soldiers. The army should absolutely learn operational lessons, but not through a punitive process."

"I asked the soldier’s father to strengthen him, and with Hashem’s help, if we are able to get to court on Sunday, we will come, hug the boy, and lift his spirits."

A., the detained soldier’s father, said: "I asked for the meeting so I could come offer comfort and also convey my son’s condolences. I received an incredible hug from the father, the mother, and the siblings. It was important for me to come after I read that the father said he wanted to hug the soldier. I came to strengthen, and I left strengthened."

"This was an operational malfunction involving a new weapon in the IDF. It is serious and must be investigated, but why does my son need to be in detention? He has already received his punishment, and he will carry this with him all his life. Now he needs to be sent back to the fighting in Lebanon."