Man with Mental Health Issues Detained, Denied Medication by IDF
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
A Haredi man with complex mental health issues, identified as A., was arrested and imprisoned for 16 days after reporting to an IDF induction center to arrange his status. He was denied his regular medication for over 60 hours, despite providing medical documentation and his psychiatrist warning of potential harm from continued detention. The IDF claims he was deemed fit and received appropriate care, but reports indicate he did not meet with a mental health officer and was only given medication after media intervention.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Haredi man with mental health issues detained for 16 days by IDF after reporting to induction center.
- Man denied regular medication for over 60 hours despite bringing it and providing medical proof.
- Psychiatrist warned IDF of potential harm from detention, but man remained imprisoned.
- Medication only provided after media intervention, raising questions about IDF procedures.
- IDF claims man was fit and received proper care, contradicting reports.
A Haredi man, identified as A., who has been dealing with complex mental health issues, arrived at the Tel Hashomer induction center on Sunday to arrange his military status and receive a medical exemption. Instead, he was arrested, transferred to Prison 10, and sentenced to 16 days of imprisonment. For over 60 hours, he was prevented from receiving his regular medication, despite bringing it with him and providing the army with documentation of his required treatment. The medication was only provided after media outlets contacted the IDF.
A. had not reported to the induction center for two years due to his mental health condition. He came voluntarily on Sunday with medical documents detailing his condition over the past two years, intending to resolve his status. Despite this, he was sent to military prison. According to reports, A. has not yet met with an IDF mental health officer, and only a medic has examined him. This occurred even though he presented medical documentation and his treating psychiatrist had directly referred him.
On Monday, A.'s psychiatrist, who heads a psychiatric department at a mental health hospital and treats A. privately, contacted the IDF's chief mental health officer. The psychiatrist warned that A.'s continued detention could harm his recovery, especially after two years of rehabilitation, and requested he not be kept in prison. The doctor explained that A.'s mental state had only recently stabilized and asked for this to be considered to prevent a health decline. However, A. remained in prison.
Beyond the detention itself, the army's handling of A.'s medication raises serious questions. For over 60 hours, he was denied his regular medication, which is crucial for stabilizing his condition. He had brought the medication from home, and the necessary forms and approvals were sent to the army. Only after media intervention were the medications provided. The IDF has not yet explained why he was denied treatment for such an extended period or what changed following the media inquiry that allowed him to receive his medication.
The IDF responded that A. does not have a medical exemption and was deemed fit by medical personnel before his arrest. They also stated that the military prison has medical and mental health staff, and that A. met with relevant personnel regularly and received appropriate medication, with all documents transferred to the prison's medical staff. However, contrary to the IDF's claims, A. had not yet met with a mental health officer, and he was indeed denied his necessary medication for over two days.
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