Blinded in Gaza War, IDF Reservist Fulfills Dream of Pursuing Law Career

Blinded in Gaza War, IDF Reservist Fulfills Dream of Pursuing Law Career

‘I can’t fight on the battlefield in Gaza or the north, but I’m fighting serious crime for the country in the courtroom.’

By Ben Rappaport, United with Israel

On October 7, recent law graduate Matan Levy was called to the IDF reserves, where he was tasked with clearing the Gaza border of terrorists and securing artillery and tank units preparing for the ground offensive.

During a mortar barrage launched at his unit, Matan was critically wounded, and his friend was killed.

After two weeks lying comatose in Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva, Matan awoke to find that he was blind.

“The pain was so intense that I didn’t focus on the blindness,” he told Ynet. “The pain was so severe that I can’t even describe it—it terrified me.”

Over the course of 9 months of rehabilitation at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Matan began to come to terms with his blindness.

“I had to relearn everything—how to walk, how to navigate a world I couldn’t see. Simple daily tasks became monumental challenges. It’s a difficulty someone who can see wouldn’t understand,” he said.

Despite his blindness, Matan resolved that he would not give up on his dream of becoming a lawyer. “I decided I would continue to fight for the country, and I wanted to do my legal internship at the State Attorney’s Office,” Matan explained.

According to Ynet, the state attorney himself became aware of Matan’s goals, and Matan was invited for an interview at the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office. Matan prepared for the interview even as he still underwent rehabilitation.

“It was the first time I dealt with legal materials without being able to see them, thanks to my amazing brother, who continues to help me,” he noted.

Matan said his family was initially crushed by his blindness, but that they drew strength and encouragement from his mother.

“My mother, a true lioness, reminded us all that nothing is stronger than life itself. The fact that I survived is a miracle, and that message stuck with me,” he said.

His perseverance bore fruit, and he was accepted to the office, joining a team dealing with crime to become the first blind legal intern at the State Attorney’s Office.

Matan explained that he meets the requirements of his work, which calls for familiarity with complex legal documents, by listening and memorizing rather than by reading.

“While others can read through the material multiple times, I rely on my memory. My assistants, Yair and Ben, read the material to me once or twice, and I memorize it. I write legal opinions, argue in court, and appear before parole boards, handling everything like any other prosecutor,” he said.

Attorney Yafit Deri, Matan’s mentor, said that Matan is an inspiration for everyone at the office.

“Judges are amazed when Matan argues on behalf of the state and demonstrates his full command of the material,” she told Ynet. “For example, we appeared in 23 different hearings before the parole board, and Matan handled it all flawlessly from memory, overcoming the challenges of working without written documents.”

Daphna Vaknish, the head of interns at the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office, confirmed to Ynet that Matan “is treated like any other intern, required to meet the same targets, and he does so successfully.”

Matan, for his part, says he feels he is living his dream.

“I can’t fight on the battlefield in Gaza or the north, but I’m fighting serious crime for the country in the courtroom. No terrorist can diminish my motivation or take away my smile.”

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