Omri Antman, a resident of Kfar Saba, barely had time to mourn his father, the late Yossi.
In the artillery, Antman found another person who could identify with his personal pain: Ben Ben-Naim, who lost his late father Kobi a total of one month after enlisting in the army. Now they both tell Israel Today about their personal tragedy, in order to raise awareness of In the eyes of recruitment to the combat units, despite and perhaps because of the immense difficulties.
"My father got cancer many years ago, when I was 3," says Antman.
"He tried very hard not to show that it was difficult for him, and he continued to work as usual, but every six months he was hospitalized. Even the last time he was hospitalized, he still insisted and claimed that within two weeks he would return to work."
But that time, in October 2021, it was different.
"After a few weeks of hospitalization Dad started talking vaguely, and did not understand where he was. His liver failed to break down ammonia, and it spread to the blood. When we got to the hospital and saw he was unconscious, we began to understand that these were his last days."
Less than a week after he got up from the shiva, Omri was already in uniform.
"It was very tough. A lot of people asked if I wanted to postpone the recruitment, but I said I saw no reason. I would not do anything at home, and I really wanted to enlist."
"The commander helped me."
Ben Ben-Naim, Photo: Courtesy of Hod Hanit, Report
"Very difficult situation"
Ben Ben-Naim, also a resident of Kfar Saba, enlisted in the Artillery Corps in August 2021, and currently serves in the Dragon Battalion, which is currently stationed in the Golan Heights.
"My father had cancer for three years. At first it was in the skin, and after he was apparently cured - it returned to his brain. His condition deteriorated in a stroke, within a month. I was even in training when I was informed he had died. It was not simple at all."
He died in September 2021. "In the military they gave me all the time I needed," Ben says.
"My commander, Osher Alikmal, helped me a lot, really supported me and was with me at all times. They released me, and told me 'stay home as long as you need', but I came back two days after the shiva.
"I am happy with this decision, because in retrospect it helped me get out of the difficulties and the not-so-simple mental state," he says.
"Obviously this is a very difficult situation. Almost no one knows about it in the army, nor is it easy for me to talk and reveal, but I want to inspire people - to enlist. I know my story can push more people to enlist in the IDF."
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