Defense Minister Benny Gantz attended an event on Monday at the Jerusalem branch of Beit HaLochem (House of the Warriors) held by the Disabled IDF Veterans Organization and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Division, headed by Defense Ministry Dir.-Gen. Col. (Ret.) Amir Eshel.
Gantz thanked the employees of the Rehabilitation Division, including Eshel, Limor Luria and the organization's management, led by Idan Kalman.
Gantz discusses ‘One Soul’ reform
The defense minister also highlighted the importance of his ministry's decision in February to recognize IDF veterans as "wounded" if they became severely ill after working in the Kishon River for over 30 day, as well as discussing the "One Soul" reform improving the government's response to and treatment of suicidal tendencies among IDF veterans.
"The 'One Soul' reform is only in its infancy - there are many steps that need to be completed in legislation, implementation and execution," Gantz said. "This reform is proof that change is possible, that it is possible to work shoulder to shoulder, that it is possible to overcome enormous bumps and hardships when the goal justifies it."
“I will continue to accompany the [‘One Soul’] reform wherever I am and in any way necessary.”
Defense Minister Benny Gantz
"The ability of the two bodies [the Defense Ministry Rehabilitation Division and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization] to change the situation from end to end, and to lead a complex, historical and professional reform is critical for maintaining Israel's security and the IDF's ethos of never abandoning a wounded person," he said.
"This is an important message like no other to the women and men of the IDF and to all Israeli citizens. I will continue to accompany the reform wherever I am and in any way necessary."
Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.