By Marney Blom
Security is a legitimate concern for the modern Jewish state of Israel.
The threat of extinction has forced Israel to rally against adversity and harness its resources to its advantage.
As Israel’s neighbours gear up, so does the Israeli Defense Force. It engages in yearly week-long defense drills that have increased in scope and magnitude annually.
In April 2008, a building situated on the former Foreign Ministry grounds in Jerusalem, a stone’s throw from the Israeli Knesset, was chosen as a test site for a potential direct hit on an Israeli civilian population by a ballistic missile.
This year the national home front drill Turning Point 3 was designed to test various systems of preparedness and response to emergencies on a national level. It involved interaction between government troops and all civilians with simulated emergency situations such as missile hits, response to use of unconventional weapons, and response to attacks on essential facilities.
Turning Point 3 represented the most extensive emergency preparedness exercise in the nation’s 61-year history said Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich. “It is the first time the entire population (was) asked to participate in such a drill.”
Some perceive that the greater threat to Israel’s security may not be Iran with its nuclear program as most suspect, but Syria. Jerusalem Post news editor Amir Mizroch said the Syrian army had boosted its strength in surface-to-surface missiles that could damage the Israeli home front.
“Syria has also focused on air defenses and commando forces – modeled on the Hezbollah example. The Syrian artillery repertoire has been built up to be able to fire very quickly across the entire Golan Heights.”
James Goll, author and modern prophetic voice to the Christian community agrees. “Many are speaking about Iran, and they need to be, (but) my greater concern is Syria.
“We must specifically watch the borders of Israel and Syria. A contending will happen once again over the Golan Heights. There is a build up. I know this in the Lord – a build up in Syria.”
Are the average Israelis prepared for the potential threat to the nation?
Chaya Margalit, a new bride and immigrant from Brooklyn, New York, said there was a sense that war could break out at any moment. “However, (I feel) 100 per cent secure. We have a bomb shelter … but honestly, I am not very prepared.”
Others who are native to the nation, like 17-year-old Eliezer from Jerusalem, are resigned. “We have a great army,” he said.
How prepared?
“Quite good” said Oren from Tel Aviv. “As all Israelis, I (have served) in the army, so I will join my troops.”
Crisis Response International (CRI), a Christian, U.S.-based organization that trains civilians in emergency response readiness, looks at the threat of terrorism, natural disaster and war from a unique perspective.
CRI believes that disaster readiness can go beyond self-preservation and empower people to serve, minister and help others during a time of crisis.
CRI administrator Christine Raymond was in Israel on a fact-finding mission. She said that when war or disaster occurred, or was imminent, and people are trained to respond, they rose to the occasion. “They are excited. They have tools and they are able to help.”
“We feel that CRI is called to love people, and one of the ways of doing that is to go into the midst of where people have their most trouble … in a time when there isn’t a lot of help around.
“Quite clearly, CRI is not deterred by the need to prepare for emergencies or crises, but sees this need as an opportunity to gain in strength. The Israeli army appears to have adopted the same attitude.”
Lt. Col. Avital Leibovitch said the defense forces gained from every conflict or operation. “We have learned from the Second Lebanon War, from the (Gaza) Cast Lead Operation. The forces we have today are better prepared, better trained. We put a lot of emphasis on urban warfare, and therefore I feel that we are in a very different place than we were two-and-a-half-years ago.”
As realities of a rapidly changing world confront Israel, the nation’s leadership is recognizing that anticipation and preparation are key. Perhaps Western countries would also do well to observe and heed.
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