A group of Israeli reserve soldiers has threatened to leave active duty if they are not allowed to continue using donated equipment, according to a report in Israel Hayom. This development comes in the wake of recent directives from the IDF Ground Forces Command to ban the use of donated gear, citing safety concerns and logistical issues.
According to the IDF, the ban on donated equipment is aimed at ensuring soldier safety, preventing friendly fire incidents, and avoiding the use of potentially unsafe gear. The military has also expressed concerns about theft and unauthorized resale of equipment between units.
However, some reservists argue that the donated equipment is often superior to standard-issue gear. "We lacked vests, helmets, weapon accessories, medical equipment, and backpacks," said one soldier who spoke on condition of anonymity due to military regulations. "Donations provided all of this within a few days, instead of the many weeks needed for the IDF to do so."
The soldiers claim that some IDF-issued equipment is outdated or in poor condition. "The equipment from the army was sometimes broken, sometimes worn out, or even just manufactured several decades ago and no longer relevant against modern weapons," the soldier added.
In response to the soldiers' complaints, an IDF spokesperson stated, "Throughout the war, the IDF has repeatedly emphasized that acquisition of military equipment is an organized, orderly and professional procedure, which contains all the required tests, both in the context of the quality of the equipment and its suitability for its purpose, and in ensuring the required safety standard."
The IDF maintains that it is not intending to confiscate equipment that meets its standards. "Using non-standard equipment may endanger the lives of the soldiers in the field due to the lack of operational effectiveness and/or safety risk," the spokesperson added.
The outcome of this controversy could have significant implications for Israel's military readiness and the relationship between the IDF and its reserve forces, who play a crucial role in the country's defense strategy.
* Arutz Sheva contributed to this article.
