Matan Levi loses his eyesight after quitting an internship at a law firm to fight for Israel, but continues his career despite significant obstacles and becomes the first blind lawyer in Israel’s history at the State Attorney’s Office I became an intern.
“The judges were surprised when Matan argued on behalf of the state and showed that he was in complete control of the content,” lawyer Simi Yafit Deri told Ynet News.
“For example, we appeared before the Parole Board for 23 different hearings, all of which Matan handled perfectly, relying on memory and overcoming the challenge of working without written documents. . He is an inspiration to everyone in the office.”
Dafna Vaknish, director of interns at the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office, asserted: “He is treated like any other intern and is expected to achieve the same goals, and he is successful in doing so.”
Mr. Levy, who had just graduated with a law degree, was completing an internship at a private law firm when he was called up to the reserves on October 7 of last year. His unit was tasked with clearing and securing areas near the Gaza border. , a terrifying ordeal in itself, but Levi loses both his best friend and his eyesight in the process.
Widowed, blind and suffering from excruciating pain, Levy spent nine months undergoing rehabilitation at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv. Mr Levy said he had experienced “tough encounters and violent events” while clearing the terrorist area, but explained that it was on October 14th that he lost his eyesight. He was near Kibbutz Nirim when rockets from Gaza hit his unit.
“I was seriously injured, and my friend, Israeli hero Omer Bitan, was killed by a mortar shell,” he said. Levy was in a coma for two weeks and almost died. He was left in so much pain that he felt scared.
Matan Levy in ICU after injury (Photo: Weizmann Institute of Science)
Still, with extraordinary determination and fighting spirit, Levy looks back on the day he lost his sight with optimism.
“For me, it’s not the day I was injured, it’s the day I survived. As long as I live, I will live with my head held high. Even though I am blind, I am determined to live a full and meaningful life. Along with my recovery, I met my partner who is now both my eyes and my heart. Life is a blessing and every moment is a gift.”
He credits his family, especially his mother, for giving him the courage to continue.
“My mother, a true lioness, reminded us that there is nothing stronger than life,” he said, adding that the family was initially devastated, but they managed to He explained that he started seeing things from a different perspective.
“The fact that I survived was a miracle, and that message stayed with me.”
Levy said she had to relearn how to do everything without vision, and simple everyday tasks suddenly became big challenges. ” “It is difficult for sight people to understand.”
During this period of rehabilitation, he decided to continue pursuing a career in law.
“I decided to continue fighting for my country and wanted to do a legal internship at the State Attorney’s Office.”
Despite overwhelming odds, Levi is a fighter and is willing to fight for Israel even if he is blind.
“I may not be fighting in Gaza or in the battlefields of the north, but in the courts I am fighting serious crimes for my country. No terrorist can dampen my motivation or take away my smile. .”
Ynet News reported that Levy’s wishes reached the state attorney himself, who submitted a request to the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office (Criminal Bureau) asking them to consider his candidacy.
Levy was still in the process of rehabilitation when he received the interview invitation.
“It was my first time working with legal documents without being able to see them in person, thanks to my wonderful brother who continues to help me.”
Levy was then accepted into the serious crimes team under attorney Asaf Shavit, along with his mentor, attorney Simi Yafit Deri. The State Prosecutor’s Office provided special software and two assistants from the State Service.
“Others can read the material over and over again, but I rely on my memory.My assistants, Yair and Ben, read the material once or twice, but I don’t know how to read it. I write legal opinions, I argue in court, I appear in court. The parole board handles everything like any other prosecutor,” he said. “I feel like I’m living my dream.”
