Shalom All

Over the past few months we have been witnessing a continuing rise in violence in Yehuda and Shomron, the region One Israel Fund covers. The majority of these incidents have occurred on the roads, perhaps the worst, perpetrated by released terrorists, was the murder of R' Meir Chai in the region of Shavei Shomron.  Besides that attack there have been a few other shooting incidents, with no fatalities or injuries, thank Gd.  The other incidents on the roads have included Molotov Cocktails and stonings and there have been many injuries from these incidents.  The IDF response has not been able to stop these incidents and there have only been a few in which the perpetrators were shot or captured.

Probes continue to be sent to "check out" the Yishuvim as the new Arab army continues to gather intelligence on our communities with the latest assistance coming from the likes of Rabbis for Human Rights, Ta'ayush and other hate groups.  These groups have been organizing and inciting local Arabs to provoke the Jewish Communities and the IDF in hopes of violent confrontations so that they may film or cause damage against these communities not only in the local arena, but on the international scene.

On the Yishuv side, the Homefront Command continues its budget cuts as many beepers have ceased to be funded. The beepers were the primary method used to "Jump" the response teams to incidents.  The loss of the beepers is a serious problem and alternative methods of communication must now be used.

Last but not least, this week we are also seeing road 443 (Jerusalem -
Modi'in) reopened to Arab traffic from the surrounding villages.  This road was formerly closed to the local Arab traffic due to the shooting incidents. We wait to see the results of free flowing traffic.

*What is One Israel Fund doing in light of these events...?*

We have raised funds for 25 Emergency Medic Kits (Advanced Life Saving level - Doctor/Paramedic), the last of which we hope to distribute next week.  In the flurry of this project, all (every one) of the Regional Security Chiefs have asked that we not only continue this project but also address a number of other Emergency Medical needs they have throughout the region.  These new requests range from smaller kits for the local Security Chiefs to once again equipping the buses with Medical Kits – a project we have not undertaken in years. Finally, we would like to supply Emergency Defibrillator kits (including other equipment) to a number of larger communities where they have a more age-varied population.

"Search and Lighting" needs have been addressed for a number of communities. Security teams have been equipped with top quality equipment that covers not just emergency situations but their everyday security needs.

Our Perimeter Camera Systems remain a priority, as this is one of the most efficient ways to stop infiltrations.  One system that has just become operational has impressed the IDF as to the amount of intelligence it brings them about the new Arab Military force, and has changed the reality of the Jewish Community it sits in to the point that they started building (pre freeze) in other areas in the Yishuv.

A new/old project we are going to give more effort to is the tactical communication project.  Most of the teams are not equipped with the proper communication units they need. In the past “Walkie Talkiesâ€� were distributed, but they have not held out under the use and time.  One Israel Fund is working in coordination with the Security Chiefs to supply the proper equipment that will also have the advantage of maintenance costs being partially covered by the IDF.

To sum up, we are working very hard and we are seeing results. The equipping of the Security/Medical personnel is yielding results, not just in the field, but in people’s hearts. It is not just providing needed equipment, but it also gives strength to all of those special people who care as much about others as they care about themselves.

These results come about when a team works together, that team being, The yishuvim, the Security Chiefs and the One Israel Fund family. Yoni Hayisraeli, Security Director of the Shomron (Samaria) told me personally that the Regional Security Chiefs and the Community Security Coordinators enjoy working with One Israel Fund and thank all of those involved not only for supplying equipment or funds, but also for working with us, coordinating with us, and being part of us.  That is why we work great together.

Please keep up to date and continue to be involved with our projects through our projects pages and website, www.oneisraelfund.org/projects/

That makes all the difference. If you have any questions, be in touch.

Marc Prowisor

Director, Security Projects
One Israel Fund
Office:   516 239 9202 x15
Cell:      972 54 2237727 (Israel)
Global: 856 393 4777
Fax:       516 239 9203