Ex-Footballer Tal Ben Haim Regrets Not Serving as Elite Combat Soldier
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former Israeli footballer Tal Ben Haim shared his regret over not serving in an elite IDF combat unit, a feeling heightened by the October 7th attacks. He described his own military service as "not really an army" and believes athletes have a duty to represent Israel above personal career interests. Ben Haim had a successful football career, playing for top Israeli clubs and the national team.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Tal Ben Haim regrets not serving in an elite IDF combat unit, a feeling intensified by October 7th.
- He described his own military service as "not really an army."
- Ben Haim's lifelong dream was to join the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit.
- He believes Israeli athletes have a duty to represent their country over personal career goals.
- Ben Haim had a successful career playing for top Israeli clubs and the national team.
Former Israeli footballer Tal Ben Haim expressed deep regret over not serving in an elite combat unit within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a feeling that has intensified since the October 7th attacks. Ben Haim revealed his lifelong dream was to join the naval commando unit Shayetet 13, acknowledging the extreme difficulty and exclusivity of such units.
He stated that his perception of his own military service, which he described as "not really an army," has been shaped by this unfulfilled aspiration. The events of October 7th amplified his sense of not having contributed enough to the country as a combatant.
This personal reflection has led Ben Haim to a new perspective on the commitment Israeli athletes should have to representing their nation. He believes that playing for national teams, whether as a player or coach, is a duty rather than just a career opportunity. Ben Haim emphasized that prioritizing personal career advancement over the national team's or country's well-being is unacceptable, especially for Israelis.
Ben Haim had a notable football career, playing for prominent Israeli clubs like Maccabi Petah Tikva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hapoel Tel Aviv, winning championships and cups. He also had a stint in Europe with Sparta Prague and earned 29 caps for the Israeli national team, scoring 5 goals, including a famous one against Italy's Gianluigi Buffon.