MK: Defense Ministry must recognize teen killed on border

MK Omer Barlev says it’s “shocking” that the Defense Ministry employs 15-year-olds, and called on the ministry to recognize the teen slain today as having fallen in the line of duty.

The boy, Nimer Bassem Abu Amar, was working today on the border fence when he was killed by shots fired from Egypt.

“It’s shocking that the Defense Ministry employs 15-year-old children,” writes Barlev, a lawmaker from the opposition Zionist Union faction. “The Defense Ministry shouldn’t hide behind outside contractors,” he said, adding that Abu Amar should be granted the status of a Defense Ministry employee who fell in the line of duty.

מזעזע שמשהב׳ט מעסיק ילדים בני 15 ושלא יסתתרו מאחורי חברה קבלנית שמעסיקה עובד קבלן שהביא את הבן שלו לעבודה. נמר בסם אבו עמר יוכר כחלל משהב׳ט

— עמר בר-לב (@omerbarlev) October 25, 2016

Such recognition would entitle Abu Amar’s family to a series of additional state benefits.

The army says the shooting does not appear to be an act of terror, and the Defense Ministry insisted in a statement that Abu Amar was not a direct employee.