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The ChiefMilitary Rabbi,BrigadierRabbiRafi Peretz isour

BridgingRabbi. Rabbi Peretz term of duty is marked by moves

to bring together all factions and streams, as well as creating aconnection between the Military and Chief Rabbinates. READ

MORE

Operations Room

Pictures of the Month

One on One

Challenges of the Moment

IDF Events

TheArrowistheworldsrstoperativesystemspecically

builtfordealingwiththethreatofballisticmissiles. It is designed

to identify, locate and destroy ballistic missile during their launch,

and enables protection of strategic security assets as of populated

civilian areas.READMORE

TheMagicWandsystem- A project that was jointly developed byIsrael and the United States, which was born out of the understanding

that the surface-to-surface missiles of long and middle range, the

cruise missiles and accurate surface-to-surface missiles pose an

increasing threat.READMORE

AsevereescalationofrocketlaunchingatIsraelivillagesandtowns took place during the beginning of April. During the pastmonth Israel has succumbed to over 120 projectiles red randomly atIsraeli towns and villages. Israel responded accordingly by attackingstrictly terrorist targets within the Gaza Strip.READMORE

TheIDFallowsfor3,656truckloadsoffoodandmedicalsuppliestoGaza- Despite the marked escalation of terror activities by Hamas,

the various coordinating bodies continue to transfer truckloadsof food and medical supplies using the Kerem Shalom Crossing.Parallel to the War against Terror, Israel will continue to provide forthose Gaza inhabitants, uninvolved in the warfare. READMORE

The IDF will acquire 4 additional "Iron Dome" batteries -The existing operational batteries of the newly Israeli developedmissile defense system, successfully intercepted 8 missiles thatclearly threatened the lives of Israelis. The new batteries are to beoperational within one and a half to two years.READMORE

TheIDFMilitaryAttorneyGeneral:The"Goldstoneletter"wasno

surprisetous-TheIDFactedsatisfactory - Lieutenant Brigadier

Avihai Mandelblitt, relates to the change in the approach of Judge

Goldstone and claries: The IDFs checks and balances are reliable,

we did not come across any instance of blatantly illegal orders having

been handed down. We continue to make every effort to avoid hurting

innocent civilians.READMORE

Senior military people respond to judge Goldstone's

WashingtonPostarticle:"Weshallcontinuetoactagainstterror

organizations".READMORE

TheChiefofStaffBennyGantz andhis family joinedforthe

traditionalSederMeal, the commanders and combatants of the

Gideon Platoon of the Golani Brigade, who are currently assigned

to ongoing security in the Gaza Strip Region. Brig.General Gantz

Your surrendered your personal freedom in favor of that of the

People of Israel..READMORE

TheIDFrescuemissiontojapanreturnshome.READMORE

Brigadier Yoav (Poly) Mordechai assumes the role of IDF

Spokesperson.READMORE

IDFSpokesperson'sUnitPublicAffairsBranch

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AseverescalationofrocketlaunchingatIsraelihomefronttookplaceduringthebeginningofthemonth

Over the course of Friday night (Apr. 8),

IAF aircrafts targeted several terrorist sites

in the Gaza Strip in response to the Grad

missiles, rockets and mortars fired at the

Israeli home front. In the beginning of the

month, more than 120 rockets and mortars

have been launched at Israel.

As a result of IDF activity since the attack

on a children's school bus on April 7 th,

approximately fifteen terrorists have been

killed and an additional fifty injured.

In a joint IDF and Israel Security Agency

(ISA) activity, an IAF aircraft targeted a

senior Hamas operative in the southern Gaza Strip, Tayser Abu Snima, along with two additional

Hamas operatives. Snima held a number of major roles in the military wing of Hamas and was

involved in many terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, including the kidnappingof Gilad Shalit and the firing of rockets from Sinai at the city of Eilat.

Also, an IAF aircraft targeted a truck containing weaponry in the northern Gaza Strip. A direct

hit was confirmed. Also targeted were a terrorist site in the northern Gaza Strip and a smuggling

tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. Direct hits were confirmed.

Additionally, IAF Aerial Defense Corps forces operating the Iron Dome system intercepted eight

rockets fired at the Israeli home front.

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will continue to operate with

strength and determination against any terrorist organization using terror against the state ofIsrael. The Hamas terrorist organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating

from the Gaza Strip.

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3,656supplytrucksenteredGazalastmonth

Despite escalation of rocket fire from the

Gaza Strip, the IDF continued its efforts to

aid Gaza's civilian population.

In the last couple of months, terrorist

organizations in the Gaza Strip, led by

Hamas, fired more than 100 rockets and

mortar shells towards southern Israel.Despite the escalation, the IDF continued

to transfer medical and humanitarian aid to

the residents of the Gaza Strip.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in

the Territories (COGAT), through the Gaza

Coordination and Liaison Administration,

permitted the entry of 3,656 trucks carrying goods (mainly food and medical supplies) to the Gaza

Strip in March via the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

Additionally, the IDF and the Defense Ministry Crossing Authority, in conjunction with the GazaCoordination and Liaison Administration, allowed an additional 1,100 trucks carrying aggregates

to enter Gaza via the Sufa crossing, which was opened specifically for this purpose, despite

the many security risks involved. Within the framework of this project, more than 50,000 tons of

aggregates and gravel were brought to Gaza in order to expand, upgrade and establish construction

projects carried out by the international community in the fields of education, health, housing and

infrastructure.

During the first quarter of 2011, more than three times the amount of aggregates entered Gaza

than the total amount that entered in all of 2010. It should be noted that the Sufa crossing, located

in a vulnerable spot from a security standpoint due to its low geographic position in relation to the

homes in the eastern part of Khan Younis, has suffered from terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas.

Despite the security threats, and in light of the needs of the international community and the civilian

population of the Gaza Strip, it was decided to continue the aggregates transfer operation despite

the dramatic escalation of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel.

Israel will continue to act to thwart any attempts to harm its citizens while at the same time

continuing humanitarian efforts to aid the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.

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IDFtoacquirefourmoreIronDomebatteries

The four additional batteries are

expected to be operational within two

years. Since the beginning of April,

eight rockets fired from Gaza at Israel

have been shot down by the Iron Dome

system.

A ministerial committee approvedon Wednesday (Apr. 13) the request

of Defense Minister Ehud Barak to

purchase four additional Iron Dome

anti-rocket batteries.

Government ministers were updated

on the operational trial that the Iron

Dome system is currently undergoing

in southern Israel as well as the possibility of introducing a third Iron Dome battery by the end of

2011.

So far, two Iron Dome batteries have been deployed in the south as part of the operational trial.

Since April, soldiers operating the Iron Dome system have successfully intercepted eight rockets

fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Barak called Wednesday's approval of the four additional batteries as an "important

step." He said that, upon its full implementation, the Iron Dome system would have a profound

influence on the tools of war and the durability of the home front.

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Alessoninconnecting

IDF Chief Rabbi, Brig. Gen. Rafi Peretz

sees his main task as connecting people

within the IDF and Israeli society.

The meeting with IDF Chief Rabbi, Brig.

Gen. Rafi Peretz takes place as news

breaks of the arrest of the terrorists who

murdered the Fogel family in Itamar.Peretz receives the news with mixed

feelings.

"We are not a people looking for

consolation or revenge," he says.

"Obviously there is satisfaction that

we could put our hands on these vile

murderers. It does not comfort the

families but it says to them that they can rely on the IDF and the security forces."

Brig. Gen. Peretz became the chief rabbi of the IDF nine months ago. His office at the Kirya in

Tel Aviv has been renovated, perhaps an indicator of the mood of the military rabbinate one of

refurbishment, improvement and mainly connection. Chief IDF Rabbi Peretz is a man of connections.

He brought a spirit of unity to his job and unity is theme running through all the missions currently

facing the military rabbinate.

"I believe that the central goal, which is so simple, of the military rabbinate is to connect," Chief

IDF Rabbi Peretz says. "The understanding that we are one people, with a common mission, even

though we have different thoughts."

KosherforPassoverfromHermontoEilatConnecting people does not begin and end with sermons by military rabbis, as important as they

are. The military rabbinate recently completed its most complex annual mission - ensuring that all

military kitchens were kosher for Passover.

"This is a huge operation which covers the whole country and arrives at each base," says Chief

IDF Rabbi Peretz. "Every base, from Hermon to Eilat, goes through a rigorous process to become

kosher for Passover. If you ask why, I will remind you of our central goal to connect. It's so that

everyone can sit at the military Seder table, everyone with their own beliefs, no matter what level

of kosher they keep. It's just another indication of our overall goal."

Chief IDF Rabbi Peretz became chief rabbi of the IDF nine months ago, taking the place of Brig.

Gen. (res.) Avihai Ronsky. He encountered a new field introduced by Rabbi Ronsky to the military

rabbinate "Jewish consciousness". For the first time, Jewish and biblical values were being

promoted in the IDF. Chief Rabbi Peretz believes that these provide a significant arsenal for IDF

soldiers.

"It's clear that if we dont learn the spirit, our enemies will take advantage of this for bad," Chief

IDF Rabbi Peretz says. "But i f they notice that we know who we are and why we are fighting, they'll

think twice before they try to enter battle with us."

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"During the Second Lebanon War,

[Hezbollah leader] Hassan Nasrallah

called us a 'spider's web' because we

were supposedly empty of substance

and roots and would submit. I think

he learned a lesson, but we have our

homework to do. That is to continue to

deep within us our Jewish identity and

our self-confidence."

Connectingnotonlythesecular,but

thereligioustoo

'When I talk about connecting, I'm not

only talking about secular guys in the

army," Chief IDF Rabbi Peretz says. " I

am specifically referring to everyone including the religious and even the more religious."

One process currently occurring is a tightening of the connection between the military rabbinate

and the chief rabbinate of Israel.

"To me it is important to connect the military rabbinate with the chief rabbinate, which I see as a

partner in dialogue and consultation, both because this is a natural step and because it is a very

important connection for Israeli society."

Gilad'sstoryisthestoryofusall

For Passover Seders, Chief IDF Rabbi Peretz ordered that all military rabbis leave an empty chair

at the table for captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. For him, this is not a symbolic act.

"You have to tell Gilad's story as part of the Passover Haggadah, as part of the story of all of us,"

Chief IDF Rabbi Peretz says. "Gilad Shalit's story is the story of all IDF soldiers. We hope and prayfor his safety and also hope that, God willing, we will see him soon at the Seder table."

Chief IDF Rabbi Peretz describes the meaning of Passover for him: "The main issue of Passover

is the departure from slavery to freedom. We are a free country. We have begun a different kind

of freedom here, which we are still fighting for and for which we pay a heavy price, but ultimately

this is a positive and important process for which my grandfather and grandmothers prayed for and

were only moments from."

"On Passover, we need to be happy we have gotten this far. With this, we need to fulfill our

responsibility to continue the freedom process and our ideals as a people. Great sorrow and

bitterness on the road to freedom are not absent from the Seder table. But we must not forget the

overall goal, the desire of all of us, for a happy Passover."

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IDFnotsurprisedbyGoldstonesnewviewonCastLead"

In an interview with Army Radio, the Military Advocate General

expresses trust in the IDF judicial system, saying that the IDF

knows how to investigate itself.

Over the past few months, there has been a significant

change in the international legal world's understanding of how

we operate. Therefore, I was not at all surprised by [Judge

Richard] Goldstone's new view on Operation Cast Lead, saidMilitary Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Avichai Mendelblit, in

an interview with Galatz [Army Radio].

In the interview, Maj. Gen. Mendelblit explained that though

the Military Advocate General Corps did not cooperate with

international investigators, the IDF's findings were published

on the Corps website and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

website, and were also passed along to judicial officials

throughout the world.

The results of our investigations are not hidden from the

world and we publish updates constantly, he said.

According to Maj. Gen. Mendelblit, the IDF opened around 50 Military Police investigations following

Operation Cast Lead, including a few as a result of the Goldstone Report.

A significant number of the investigations were concluded after satisfactory explanations were

found for alleged things that happened," he said.

According to Maj. Gen. Mendelblit, many complaints were found to be inaccurate, due to the

complexity of events on the battlefield.

Maj. Gen. Mendelblit said that following Operation Cast Lead, three indictments were filed stemming

from events that took place during the operation, one concerning the theft of a credit card and its

subsequent use, the second in which combat soldiers asked a child to check if a suspicious bag

contained an explosive device and the third concerning someones death.

Therewasnotoneincidentinwhichasoldiercarriedoutanillegalorder

According to Maj. Gen. Mendelblit, the government determined that there would be no cooperation

with Goldstones investigatory committee and the IDF had no say in the matter. I can say with

complete certainty that results of investigations would not have looked different if we had cooperated

because, ultimately, a large portion of our findings were published and available to the world, hesaid. He stressed the veracity of the IDF investigations and said that investigations of this kind

require more time than was granted the UN committee.

In the last few years, there was not one incident in which a soldier carried out an illegal order.

I say this with the greatest conviction. From the highest echelons of command to the soldiers

themselves, there was not one instance like this, he said. The IDF does everything in its power

to avoid harming civilians.

Maj. Gen. Mendelblit expressed satisfaction over Goldstones recent conclusions and said that

they proved, that we must be honest with ourselves and act as needed. The IDF knows how to

investigate its misconduct, we know how to check our behavior. You have to respect someone whocan admit theyve done wrong.

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IDFCommandersrespondtoGoldstone'sretraction

"I think the army proved it is a

body that doesn't try to cover up

for itself, but one that will go to

depths investigating incidents until

it reaches the truth," said former

commander of the Gaza Division.

"Goldstone's recent conclusions andexpression of regret don't enable us

to operate the way we'd like to now,"

said Brig. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg,

who served as Commander of the

Gaza Division during Operation

Cast Lead, to Bamahane magazine.

"They will allow us to fight against

terrorist organizations in the future,

including those whose agents hide among civilian populations."

Under these circumstances, Brig. Gen. Eisenberg emphasizes that the IDF acts through warnings,

escalation and immediacy. "You start with a warning, after which the situation may escalate and

cause you to act immediately within a civilian population. During the entire operation these three

criteria worked against our best interest and against that of our combat soldiers. You can't use

cannon against terrorists operating within civilian populations. You start with small arms [or any

personal weapons a soldier may carry], later use machine guns and, eventually, can use the

cannon. It's a situation in which you come in direct contact with the civilian and sometimes have to

say something's going to happen here, it's best if you leave."

As one who led combat soldiers through the crowded alleys of the Gaza Strip, Brig. Gen. Eisenberg

stressed that soldiers do not need Goldstone's exertion to know that they had backing. "A soldier

needs to know he has his commanders' full support," said Brig. Gen. Eisenberg. "We gave that

support for every mission taken on, of course, by orders, morals and ethics. Where was support

not given? When soldiers operated against the IDF's moral code. In those cases the order was to

punish those soldiers."

"I, as a commander who sent his soldiers into battle, feel like my conscious is clear," added the

former Commander of the Gaza Division. "With all due respect to Goldstone, he is not the one to

hold up a mirror and say our soldiers act morally and ethically. We know very well how our soldiers

were raised. Beyond that, I think the army proved it is a body that doesn't try to cover up for itself,

but one that will go to depths investigating incidents until it reaches the truth."

Toolittle,toolate

The IDF Spokesperson Unit, too, addressed Judge Goldstone's expression of remorse in the

Washington Post under the title "Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes".

"Too little, too late," said IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Avi Benyahu. "The Goldstone report did a great

deal of damage for Israel, and it was unjustified in doing so. With that, the retraction is important in

many ways and we must respect this step, especially considering that next time we go into battle,

we will have to do so in urban areas with civilians and use of people as human shields again."

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In his article, the South African judge

says that the State of Israel harmed

civilians unintentionally, unlike Hamas

which always shoots rockets toward

innocent civilians with the intent of

harming them. "We know a lot more

today about what happened in the

Gaza war of 2008-09 than we did

when I chaired the fact-finding missionappointed by the U.N. Human Rights

Council that produced what has come

to be known as the Goldstone Report,"

wrote the judge. "If I had known then

what I know now, the Goldstone

Report would have been a different

document."

Throughout the article, Goldstone addressed the fact that the committee based its recommendations

on allegations brought to it beforehand. To his regret, these did not include evidence to the contraryfrom Israel's government. After the article was published, the IDF stated that the decision not to

cooperate with the committee was made by the Israeli government and not by the army. "The

investigation committee wrote that it aimed to investigate Israeli war crimes, not to investigate

whether or not these crimes were committed," explained Brig. Gen. Benyahu. "And as a result it

was decided not to cooperate. Simultaneously, we made sure the committee received facts and

figures that were important to us, but it didn't use them."

Lessscaryflyingabroad

Goldstone's expression of regret was a sort of a public authorization of the IDF's investigation

policy, the criminal investigation division of the Mi litary Advocate Generals Corps was among thosevindicated. After the operation, special committees were created to investigate the lawfulness of

different units' actions. Among them, complaints made by human rights organizations and Palestinian

bodies regarding specific events were looked into.

"We investigated every event mentioned in the report in every possible way," says a senior official

from Southern Command. "Most of them were disproved. We did the work Goldstone didn't, we

checked and investigated the events in depth, to the level of who shot and from where. The reason

he retracted what he said is because of the understanding that our policy was not to harm civilians.

Mistakes were made, but that's the reality of combat."

As part of the policy of investigation and entrance of judges into the battlefield, soldiers and juniorofficers were subject to legal criticism for their actions during combat. Since the publication of

the report, as many as 400 soldiers and officers were questioned and as many as 50 police files

opened, some of which were done so as a result of the report.

At the end of the past year, a list of 200 soldiers and officers who took part in the operation

was anonymously posted on the internet under the heading "war criminals". Addresses, personal

information and pictures of officers and soldiers were published, some of the victims afraid for their

personal safety.

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"There were those who considered whether or not they could travel to certain countries," admitted

Lt. Col. Yeki, who was a commander of one of the combat battalions during the operation. "When

you're labeled something and pictures of you are published on the internet it creates the feeling

that someone is entering your personal life. These last publications change the picture and from

now on flying in the world will be less frightening."

Despite the relief that some of the officers feel, Brig. Gen. Eisenberg says though he's glad that

Goldstone expressed remorse, the report has yet to be recalled. "We have to be careful not to

celebrate just yet," he pauses. "The report still stands and whoever gave him the order to write itis the only one who can recall it."

At the Military Advocate Generals Corps, Goldstone's apology did not cause excitement. According

to a senior official of the international law division, the apology came following many, many IDF

investigations and judicial offices. "There have been many investigations since and facts published

addressing events mentioned in the report," said the official. "Our being transparent about the facts

proves that Israel can hold itself accountable."

Additionally, the IDF and Israeli government are considering how to use the remorseful article.

Over the past few days, the IDF Spokesperson Unit taught Spokesperson officers how to be

interviewed for various international media outlets and news agencies. "We need to see Goldstonein the context of a huge battle to de-legitimize the State of Israel," explained Brig. Gen. Benyahu.

"We need to take this article in stride and continue preparing for this battle."

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The Arrow System

The Arrow System is designed to identify, locate and destroy ballistic missile during their launch,

and enables protection of strategic security assets as of populated civilian areas.

The Arrow is the worlds first operative system specifically built for dealing with the threat of

ballistic missiles (as opposed to the Patriot whose initial function was to intercept aircrafts and

was changed to be able to intercept missiles at the end of the nineteen eighties).

TheDevelopmentoftheArrowSystem

The process of developing of the Arrow System began in Israel in

the mid-eighties, based on an American demand and as part of the

American strategic defense, known as Star Wars".

At the end of 1988 an agreement was signed for the development

of a prototype of an Anti Surface-to-Surface missile, and in August

1990 the first launch of the missile, known as the Arrow took

place.

From the outset, the Arrow project was controversial and hadmany opponents. There were those who claimed that the project

was expensive and too ambitious, that its high cost outweighed its

benefits. Others were against the defensive conception that stood

in its centre and claimed that rather than investing in intercepting

missiles there is a need to act against those who operate the

rockets and against the launchers. There were even those who

underestimated the effective use of ballistic missiles, which are

unable to determine the outcome of war.

With the beginning of his second tenure as Minister of Defense, Moshe Arens decided that theactive defense activity should be enhanced and that the Arrow project should be included within

the working agenda of the IDF and the defense system.

The First Gulf War which broke out in 1991, triggered the issue and following its aftermath the

Israeli government decided to equip itself with defenses systems against ballistic missiles. The

rapid armament, of Middle Eastern countries (especially Iran, Iraq, Syria and Libya) which was due

in part because of the results of the Gulf War increased the threat and strengthened those who

supported developing an active defense approach. Following this the development of the Arrow

system increased following the vision of Professor Dov Raviv leading the IAI and defense industries

with cooperation of the Boeing company and mainly based on American funding.

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After a series of successful operations in Arrow

1 during the years 1992-1994, the technological

success of the missile was proven. During these

years additional components were added that

improved the military capability of the system.

Almost all the components of the Arrow are Israeli,

while the primary contractor of the project is the

IAI, in cooperation with Rafael Advanced Defense

Systems, Ltd., and IMI who provide components

of the missile.

On March 2000 the Arrow 2 battery was declared

operational and was adopted by the IAF. Later

it was spread throughout the country, where it

remains in full capacity. The easy transportation

of the system enables it to increase and change

the defensive umbrella according to the areas which are under threat and increase the survival

of the system. In this way the IAF has become the first military in the world to use a battery of

intercepting missiles against surface-to-surface missiles.

SpecificationsoftheArrowsystem:

InterceptingmissileArrowTwo: Intended to destroy the missiles that have been discovered

and identified by the other components of system.

TheArrowlauncher: Each launcher has six canisters. It is characterized by vertical the ability

to launch vertically and by quick reaction time.

TheGreenPineradar:A unique and sophisticated system, which is based upon decades of

research and development in the field of solution to early detection for active defense systems.

The radar has the ability to communicate with different detection systems, to expand the detection

range. The radar has a dual role: it is a radar used for early detection having an especially long

range with great precision, and a radar used for monitoring the fire.

TheBattleManagementCenterTheGoldenCitron: A system responsible for processing the

information, estimating the threat and maximizing the intercepting ability.

TheLauncherControlCommandis located in the launching site and is used as a coordinator

between the launchers and the Battle Management Centre. It serves as a communication centre

and a centre of maintenance and analysis of the missile deployment. The centers launch program

is protected by a series of safety switches to protect against an unwanted launch.

ThewaytheArrowsystemoperates

Today, the system is capable of destroying missiles at a long distance with great precision. In

addition, the system is capable of becoming a significant contribution to an early deterrence to the

citizens against falling missiles. The systems radar is capable of intercepting broadcasts from a

long distance and by doing so contributes to the effectiveness of the entire network.

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The Arrow goes through a number of stages in its flight before it hits its target:

Thefirststage is called the burning stage, its task is to accelerate the missile until it reaches the

desired speed and bring it outside the atmosphere.

Thesecondstage is the stage in which the motor is separated from the accelerator, at this stage

the Arrow missile dumps the engine and remains with the warhead and the small motor.

Inthethirdstagethe missile intercepts the target thorough the attached sensors, and adjusts itself

towards this target. Finally, the missile initiates the detonator. There is a communication betweenthe radar and the missile to ensure that the missile is flying in the planned track and updates it

regarding the precise location of the target.

The"Reshef"("Arrow"3)System

Over the last few years, the enemy has armed itself with a wide selection of missiles and rockets.

This has brought the military and political leadership to examine the issue of defense against

missiles and rockets and to think of ways to improve the militarys ability to respond to these threats.

The Ministry of Defense is developing a more advance model the "Reshef" that is capable of

extra-atmospheric interception, of intercepting missiles in space is able to intercept from a higher

altitude and a longer range than today. This system is cutting edge in its detection ability and is

equipped with radars that are able to detect threats from a longer range.

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The Magic Wand System

ThedevelopmentoftheMagicWandsystem

In 2006 the Israeli company Rafael and the American company Raytheon were awarded a contract to

develop a defense system to counter the threat of medium range rockets and missiles. This project

was jointly developed by Israel and the United States, which was born out of the understanding

that the surface-to-surface missiles of long and middle range, the cruise missiles and accurate

surface-to-surface missiles pose an increasing threat.

The Magic Wand system is based upon a new interceptor (Davids sling) from the python"

family, together with an innovative radar of the Alta company.

Rafael is the main contractor of the project and developed the Davids sling interceptor. Tadiran,

Raytheon and Elta are sub-contractors of the controlling devices, the communication and control,

the launcher and the radar.

ThestructureoftheMagicWandsystem

TheStunnermissile: A multi tasked missile, with exceptional aerodynamic abilities, a homing

ability in every weather and high success in destroying the threat. Developed by Rafael together

with the American company Raytheon and the Mabet Company.

The interceptor is a two-stage-missile which combines an accelerator and a unique motor, which

provide the interceptor with a high ability to maneuver and short time to respond.

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The Magic Wand launcher: Used for launching

the Stunners interceptors. The Stunner is developed

and produced by the American company Raytheon. Its

main features are a high rate of fire, rapid loading and

dismantling of the launchers and rapid deployment and

maneuver.

The systems radar has advanced abilities and is

capable of tracking all the relevant targets for fire

control over the noise of the battle and the results ofinterception.

The radar is developed and produced in the Alta company. The program was adjusted to the

Magic Wand missions, which include detection, surveillance and warning of short range surface-

to-surface missile within the range covered by the Magic Wand system.

Thecenterformanagingoftheinterceptions: interfacing to the defense systems already in

existence for the purpose of taking out its missions. Developed and created by the Tadiran

company. These are the main functions it performs: building a picture of the sky, estimating the

threat planning and monitoring the interception, connectivity, an interface for the user, debriefing

and practicing.

AbsorbingthesystemintheIAF

The system is planned to be absorbed into the IAF in the following years, and the IAF is involved

in all stages of development, the characterization and the systems requirements. In addition, there

are plans for setting up a Magic Wand unit in the Air Defense System.

The way the system operates and its inclusion with other systems is constantly examined in the

Air Defense operations, and what is learned from these exercises will be implemented in the unit

when it is founded.

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IDFsoldierscelebratePassoverwithIsraelsleaders

Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny

Gantz and his family ate the traditional

Passover Seder with commanders and combat

soldiers of the Gideon battalion of the IDFs

infantry Golani Brigade on Monday (Apr. 18).

These days the battalion is stationed at and

its operations taking place in the Gaza Stripregion.

Joining the Chief of Staff and his family were

Commander of Southern Command, Maj.

Gen. Tal Russo, Commander of the Northern

Division, Col. Ofer Levi and Commander of

the Gideon Battalion, Col. Avinoam Stolovitz.

The Chief of Staff praised the soldiers and said words of encouragement to them, expressing his

appreciation and adding that, As citizens of the State of Israel throughout the country are sitting

around the table at their homes for Passover Seder, IDF fighters in the air force, at sea and on landstand their ground and take on the mission to keep citizens of Israel safe. The Chief of Staff added

that during, Army service, everyone gives up a little bit of his personal freedom for the freedom of

the entire nation of Israel.

During the Seder, the Chief of Staff awarded the battalions soldiers with a future day of fun and

surprised Sgt. Samel Franko Levi by giving him a flight ticket to Peru, a gift from the Association for

the Wellbeing of Israels Soldiers (AWIS), to visit his mother who he hasnt seen for many months.

On another IDF base, the main Seder for 380 lone soldiers (whose families live abroad) was held in

Givat Olga, sponsored by AWIS, the A.B.S.I. organization, Keren Or or Friends of the IDF in France

and in the presence of the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, Commander of the ManpowerDirectorate, Maj. Gen. Avi Zamir and Head of AWIS, Brig. Gen. (res.) Avigdor Kahalani.

The Minister of Defense turned to the lone soldiers during the Seder saying, I am so appreciative

of you, the lone soldiers who came from overseas and left their families to join the ranks of the IDF,

to guard the State of Israel and to serve it. Your contribution on the field and at the home front is

huge and as far as we are concerned each of you is a member of the IDF family.

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IDFmedicaldelegationreturnsfromJapan

The IDF medical aid delegation to Japan has

concluded its activities and the delegation

members returned to Israel. The delegation,

which provided medical services to the people

of the disaster-stricken Minami-Sanriko area

for two weeks, landed at the Nevatim air base

in Israel Tuesday morning (Apr. 12).The IDF has decided that most of the medical

equipment brought to Japan, for example

X-ray equipment, will be left behind to be used

by local medical officials to continue serving

the population of the Minami-Sanriko area.

The IDF medical delegation arrived in the disaster zone in the end of March and included members of

the IDF Medical Corps, search and rescue specialists, and logistics and communications personnel

from the Home Front Command.

During the two weeks, IDF medical personnel treated around 220 patients at the IDF medical clinic.

On Monday (Apr. 10), the IDF delegation held a ceremony at which the keys to the medical clinic

were handed over to Japanese medical personnel.

The ceremony, which was covered by many

local media outlets, was attended by local

officials, including the mayor of Minami-

Sanriko, who was the first person to receive

treatment at the clinic, and the mayor of

Kurihara."The clinic you are leaving here is going to be

a cornerstone of the recovery of our city which

suffered a major disaster," the Kurihara mayor

said. "I have no doubt that your important

contribution to the recovery of this place as

well as the courteous treatment you gave our

people will constitute an important milestone

in relations between Israel and Japan."

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Brig.Gen.YoavMordechaitakesoverasIDFSpokesperson

At a ceremony held on Thursday

(Apr. 7) at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv,

the Chief of the General Staff, Lt.

Gen. Benny Gantz, appointed Brig.

Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai as the

new IDF Spokesperson, replacing

Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu.Brig. Gen. Benyahu, who served for

four years as IDF Spokesperson,

thanked Lt. Gen. Gantz and former

chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, as well

as all members of the General Staff,

for their personal and professional

support and gave his best wishes

to his successor.

Brig. Gen. Mordechai thanked Lt. Gen. Gantz for his trust and Brig. Gen. Benayahu for his cooperationand for teaching him about what the job entails.

Lt. Gen, Gantz praised Brig. Gen. Benayahu, saying that "Avi is today finishing four years of doing

terrific work for the IDF and the state of Israel and I think that our paths will cross again in the

future."

On Thursday evening, an exchange of command ceremony was held, led by Head of the Operations

Directorate, Maj, Gen. Ya'akov Ayash. That ceremony was attended by past IDF spokespersons,

senior commanders, soldiers of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit and journalists.

April 2011