Reservist blocked from serving over erroneous drug accusation - Haaretz

Subscribe to Print Edition

Mon., September 03, 2007 Elul 20, 5767

Israel Time: 05:17 (EST+7)

web haaretz.com

Back to Homepage

Print Edition

Diplomacy

Defense

Arts & Leisure

Real Estate

Jewish World

National

Advertising

Magazine

Week's End

Business

Opinion

Rosner's Domain

Anglo File

Books

Travel

del.icio.us

Digg It! new

Last update - 02:10 03/09/2007

Reservist blocked from serving over erroneous drug accusation

By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent

A., a 32-year old who lives in central Israel, actually likes reserve duty. But for the past five years, he has been fighting to clear his name, after a mysterious bureaucratic mistake left him classified as a drug addict and barred him from serving.

The Israel Defense Forces has recognized its mistake, but A. is still uncertain whether he will be allowed to return to his reserve unit.

A. was a tank commander during his military service, and he received a presidential citation for excellence. After he was discharged, he diligently showed up for reserve duty every time he was called, he says.

	Advertisement

The last time he served in the reserves was in 2002, during Operation Defensive Shield, when he drove a tank near Nablus.

Several months later, A. noticed something was wrong. He would receive a notice to appear forduty, and several days later, he would receive a notice cancelling the order. When he tried to find out what the problem was, he only became more confused.

Two years later, in 2004, he was called to appear before a committee for reclassification at the Human Resources division, but he could not go due to university obligations.

However, A. began digging into his case. With the help of some officers in his reserve unit, he learned that his file included drug offenses, domestic violence incidents and references to psychological problems.

"I was not sure who was crazy: me or the IDF computers," says A., who is completing a graduate degree in developmental genetics. "It was completely absurd. Why can't people do their job properly?"

The IDF was hesitant to acknowledge its mistake until A. enlisted attorney Meirav Baruch, who contacted the military advocate general, Brigadier Avihai Mandelblit, and the chief IDF spokesman, Brigadier Avi Benihu, who is in charge of freedom of information in the army.

An IDF spokesman acknowledged Sunday, "Following checks, it was found that the records were erroneous," and they have since been corrected. The spokesman said the army maintains the strictest levels of confidentiality and ethics in safeguarding soldiers' records.

A. is still not sure whether he will be allowed to go back to the reserves. However, he has greater worries: "I am concerned the mistake in the army records will harm my future: How will I be able to apply for a job that requires security clearance?" he says.

Bookmark to del.icio.us


	Family affair
	Despite living within Qassam rocket range, the Menas say they lead happy lives.


	Present continuous
	Our Now gets shorter while I write and you read because someone is profiting.




1.	Bureaucrats and Idiots	05:01	\|	Mark Lincoln	03/09/07

Today Online


	Egypt rejects Israeli request to renew Shalit negotiations
	Responses: 87


	Livni warns Rice: Summit could fail due to unreasonable goals
	Responses: 188


	Gideon Levy: By own admission, IDF does not care if it kills kids
	Responses: 240


	Yoel Marcus: PM must not ask settlers to agree to be evacuated
	Responses: 100


	In defiance of order, J'lem Mayor prevents synagogue demolition
	Responses: 61

Rosner's Domain

* New guest: on Sex, God, Christmas & Jews

* WTR: Does Bush market a war with Iran?

* Reform leader to Muslim Americans: Fight opportunists who demonize you

* Blog & poll: Olmert and Abbas talking. Are you listening?

More Headlines
04:51 PM's peace initiative stirs dissent in Kadima ranks


03:24 Solana: There is no potential for war between Israel and Syria


23:32 Defense Min.: If there is another war the IDF will deliver victory


01:55 Jailed Fatah leader Barghouti slams Hamas for 'bloody coup'


00:57 Police recommend indicting ex-finance minister for fraud, theft


02:10 Reservist blocked from serving over erroneous drug accusation


04:56 PM praises teachers' wage pact as school year kicks off


01:10 Disagreements, funding shortage threaten pollution reduction plan


03:56 Attorneys of Heftsiba CEO Yona demand to meet with their client


23:46 Egypt uncovers 2.75 tons of explosives in central Sinai