Parents of soldiers at Tel Arad base: Don't let our sons become cancer victims

A group of 50 parents of soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces protested Sunday in Tel Aviv following recent reports on the high cancer rate found among Nahal Brigade soldiers.

The group gathered across from the IDF compound on Sunday, demanding that the Tel Arad training base in which their sons and daughters serve be vacated.

"In light of what we already know, and until we get the full picture, the boys must be removed from the base immediately instead of becoming victims," said Orly Maron, whose son serves in Tel Arad.

The parents fumed particularly over the fact that they had been withheld information regarding the high cancer rate in Nahal compared with other brigades - information that was revealed by Channel 2 only last week.

"The data exists since 2002 and no one bothered to mention this to the soldiers," another parent said.

The parents are also concerned that the statistics thus far revealed are still inaccurate, and that the cancer rate in reality is much higher.

"We want a real reflection of the facts," a third parent said. "We want someone to explain to us the gravity of the situation."

Among the group of protesting parents was Yariv, himself a former Nahal soldier whose son currently serves in Tel Arad.

"My friends were victims to this phenomenon 20 years ago, and I still undergo routine medical check-ups," he said. "Why does my son need to feel as though he's living on borrowed time?"