'Soldier who fled still wants to serve'

Father: "We believe the IDF will show understanding."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Allied soldiers in Afghanistan (photo credit: AP)
Allied soldiers in Afghanistan
(photo credit: AP)
The father of Sayeret Matkal soldier Nadav Heiman, who disappeared during a training exercise Thursday night and walked 20 kilometers to his parents' house, said that his son "wants to continue to serve in Sayeret Matkal."
The father, Nimrod Heiman, denied reports that his son disappeared from training due to emotional distress, attributing it to a misunderstanding.
He expressed anger at what he called inaccurate media reports of the incident. "We believe that the IDF will understand the circumstances of the case, and also show understanding," said the father, Nimrod Heiman.
Nadav Heiman, who has been in the army for a year and is close to completing the training segment for the top unit, had been participating in an exercise together with his squad in the Haruvit Forest in the Lachish Region.
The squad had completed a grueling part of the exercise, which included carrying stretchers for a number of kilometers.
When the group stopped to rest, Heiman suddenly ran off into the forest. His squad members initially thought that he had gone to relieve himself, but went looking for him when he failed to return. He had told a fellow soldier during the trek that he was finding it difficult.
The IDF conducted an intensive search for Haiman Thursday involving hundreds of troops before he was found at his parents' home.