Palestinian Cancer Patients Frolic in Snow with IDF

Why Is This Not Covered in the Media? It is so typical that there is no widespread coverage when something good takes place in Israel. I admit that I am unashamedly proud of my country and the IDF and this is only one of a zillion reasons why. The full story and a slide show of the day can be found on the IDF Blog. Do have a look!

Families of Palestinian cancer patients spent a day at Mount Hermon in the north of Israel. The IDF reservists from the Alpine Unit treated the families and children to a fun day on the slopes.

   The group began the day with a bus ride to the Sea of Galilee in the morning, where they stopped at the Ein Gev Beach for a breakfast paid for the Alpine Unit’s logistics officer. From there they continued on to Mt. Hermon, where they were met with a host of IDF reservists ready to show them the slopes and join them in riding Sno-Cats and sledding.

The day was part of a decade-long project in which soldiers bring up groups of mentally or physically disabled children, as well as children with terminal illnesses, to Mt. Hermon for a day of fun and relaxation. The number of visits varies according to the snowfall each year, but on average amounts to 40-45 annual visits. The project is funded by the Erez Organization, a non-profit organization which consists of reserve soldiers of the Alpine Unit, and the Civil Administration, an Israeli body responsible for administering and coordinating civilian and humanitarian needs in the West Bank.

"It's a day of fun which helps these children deal with their illness," said Dalia Bassa, Health and Welfare Coordinator in the Civil Administration. She said that groups of Palestinian kids go to Mt. Hermon every year and that "the families call annually to remind me of the coming snowfall."

Although some of the children need to wear hospital masks or walk with a crutch, the day trip gives the families a much needed respite from their regular medical routine. And the IDF reservists provide them with VIP treatment.

"You see kids in green uniform playing with kids in civilian clothes," said the commander of the Alpine Unit, who also invited a number of soldiers from the Nachal Brigade to join the fun. "I don't presume to be a peacemaker or anything, but regardless of anyone's personal politics it was simply a sight that did the heart good."