Eng Newsletter - May 2011

8/6/2019 Eng Newsletter - May 2011

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In coming years we will call upon reserves no less, even

more - Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh,

decided that the IDF is not going to give up on its reserves. In

an interview during appreciation week for reserves he explainedwhat the IDF's difficulties in the future.READMORE

Operations Room

Pictures of the Month

One on One

Challenges of the Moment

IDF Events

UNRWAspokesperson,TheIDFhasarightanddutytoprotect

itscitizens-He talks about UNRWAs activities in the Gaza Strip

and the West Bank. He stresses that the cooperation between the

IDF and his organization is productive and positive.READMORE

Representative of the International Red Cross in the Gaza

Strip ThereisnoHumanitarianCrisis intheGazaStrip.

READMORE

The IDF assists the work ofHumanRights Organizations.

READMORE

HundredsofForeigncitizensattemptedatrunningtheborderswithSyria,LebanonandtheGazaStriptomarkthePalestinianNakba coincidingwith Israels Independence Day - Variousviolent hotspots also erupted in Samaria and Judea. The Chiefof Staff instructed a greater alertness and ordered the immediaterepair of the Border Fence.READMORE

Golan Brigade commander: Infiltration of Syrians was nosurprisetous- Col. Eshkol Shukrun, who commanded over theresponse to provocations on Israel's northern borders and waseven slightly injured during activity, explains that the IDF respondedwith balanced measure. We were prepared for the eventuality ofpeople climbing the fences as well he said. READMORE

ChiefofStaff:IDFpreparingforSeptemberevents- Lt. Gen.Benny Gantz has ordered the IDF to maintain high alert due tothreat of attacks on civilian and military targets.READMORE

The next generation ofCombat Management The Super

Highway - The new combat management system installed in

commanding Tanks, has the capacity to transmit data and commands

at great speed. The new system will provide field commanders

precise layout and deployment on borders and campaign fields, in

a matter of seconds.READMORE

IDFreducesannualfuelconsumptionby13percent-the IDFhas saved some 14 Million NIS(New Israel Shekel) per quarter for

the year 2010. This achievement is not only due to technological

efficiency, but also due to a marked change in the driving habits in

the IDF.READMORE

IAF'sreghtingsquadronnamedafterfallenvolunteer- The

new squadron operates 7 powerful re extinguishing aircraft with the

ability to collect water from the sea surface and carry a payload of 3

tons of water. The squadron is fully operational and will be capable

of handling airborne reghting at any given moment.READMORE

Israels President Shimon Peres granted citations to 120

outstandingofcersandNCOsfortheirexemplaryperformance

duringtheirserviceintheIDF-You have attributes and capabilities

that your predecessors did not have said President Peres.READ

MORE

In his address to bereaved families of fallen soldiers for Israels

Memorial Day, theChiefofStaffBennyGantzwasquoted-Those

welostremainwithusintheSpiritoftheIDF.READMORE

IDFSpokesperson'sUnitPublicAffairsBranch

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May 2011
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.idfspokesperson.com/http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/http://www.youtube.com/user/idfnadeskhttp://www.twitter.com/IDFSpokespersonhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/idfonlinehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/IDF-Monthly/158226570857750mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Chiefofstaffordersnorthernborderfencetobexed

The Chief of the General staff, Lt. gen.

Benny Gantz, held a meeting for security

assessments in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv

on Sunday (May 15), following Nakba day

incidents which deteriorated into violent

provocations throughout the country.

Chief of staff, Gantz instructed security

forces to fix the damages in the fenceon the border with Syria and Lebanon,

which were caused during the riots.

NorthernRegion:

During the midday hours, hundreds of

Syrian rioters infiltrated the Israeli-Syrian

border into the village Majdal Shams, and

in the center of the village violently rioted against IDF forces. In attempt to turn the rioters back to

Syria, forces fired selectively towards rioters who were targeting security infrastructure and some

were injured as a result.

Additionally, along the Lebanese border, several rioters attempted to breach the border fence and

to infiltrate into Israeli territory. IDF forces responded by firing warning shots.

IDF forces and Israel Police forces operated to restore order in these locations.

In these incidents, three IDF officers and ten IDF soldiers were all injured.

The IDF emphasizes that attempts to damage property or cause harm to security forces will be

responded to.

The IDF sees the governments of Syria and Lebanon as responsible for any vio lence or provocationtowards Israel that emanates from their respective territories.

CentralRegion:

Multiple violent riots broke out in several locations throughout Judea and Samaria. These riots

included rock hurling, the throwing of fire bombs and the burning of tires.

South of Ramallah, in Qalandiya, approximately 600 Palestinians violently rioted. During this riot,

rocks were hurled, as were flares, at security forces who have been responding with riot dispersal

means.

Furthermore, throughout the day there have been several incidents during which rioters have been

seen hiding behind ambulances for cover while hurling rocks at security forces. IDF forces have

been responding with riot dispersal means to contain these riots and thus far have been persistent

in their efforts.

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May 2011


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SouthernRegion:

Riots have taken place in several

sites in the Gaza Strip, the most

prominent of which is adjacent to

the Erez Crossing. Hundreds of

Palestinian rioters hurled rocks at

IDF forces. The rioters arrived at the

humanitarian aid crossing and caused

damage to its structures. Soldiers

fired in a controlled manner in thedirection, and towards the legs of the

leading rioters, in order to disperse

them and prevent them from entering

Israeli territory. A number of rioters

were injured as a result.

In addition, during the afternoon hours IDF forces identified a suspect planting an explosive device

along the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip. IDF soldiers fired towards the suspects,

identifying a hit.

Terrorist organizations are constantly operating with the objective to harm Israeli civilians and IDF

soldiers, and have previously attempted to execute terrorist activities near the various crossings

carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza.

WatchtheVideo-TheriotsinQalandiya

May 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKAF59-qeK8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKAF59-qeK8


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GolanBrigadecommander:InltrationofSyriansdidnotsurprise

"We prepared for such situations, in which

people climbed the border fences, but you

have to remember that this [the Golan

Heights] is a very large area," commander of

the Golan Brigade, Colonel Eshkol Shukrun,

said on Sunday evening (May 15) following

violent clashes on the Israel-Syria border

when Syrian demonstrators breached theborder fence. "Their infiltration was not a

complete surprise."

Col. Shukrun himself was slightly injured in

the clashes but continued to command the

forces on the ground.

"At a certain point, the Syrian crowd started throwing stones, some of them large stones that

endangered the soldiers," Col. Shukrun said. "When I understood that the event had gotten out

of control, I realized that it was time to begin to shoot at the legs of protesters, mainly those who

appeared to be the main inciters of the event. After this, they withdrew."

Col. Shukrun explained: "Because it was a crowd that included women and children, the orders

to soldiers were to cause as little harm as possible. We tried to exercise restraint and cause little

damage. "

Col. Shukrun said that the IDF cooperated with United Nations forces during the event.

"International forces assisted in handling the event, and were in touch with us particularly in the final

stages. They took charge of the incident at the 'Shouting Hill' in terms of moving the demonstrators

back to the east. The cooperation was good," Col. Shukrun said.

May 2011


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ChiefofStaff:IDFpreparingforSeptemberevents

Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz

conducted a tour of the West Bank on Sunday

(May 29) and visited the Judea and Samaria

Brigade, as part of extensive preparations the

IDF is undertaking ahead of September, out

of concern that Palestinian groups will take

advantage of various events expected to occurthat month to stage violent and provacative

demonstrations.

Lt. Gen. Gantz instructed commanders to

prepare for violent disturbances and to maintain

a high level of alert due to the threat of attacks

on civilian and military targets.

Following the events of "Nakba Day" earlier this month, Lt. Gen. Gantz ordered the IDF to prepare

for similar incidents.

May 2011


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"Syria is a country of minorities, and if Assad is weakened it can split and turn into a terror front ,"

he says. "In Lebanon, too, things aren't certain, we know Hezbollah has reached an optimum point

of 60,000 barrels of rockets against Israel and its capabilities are only growing. We are certain that

a peace agreement with Egypt will continue, but there is a likelihood that the Muslim Brotherhood

will find a way into senior positions in the government with negative potential .

"We are already seeing that the Egyptian military's stronghold in Sinai is weakening, which makes

it easer for smuggling, criminal activity and terrorism."

Ultimately, says Naveh, this instability will have a direct effect on reserve duty, both if it means achange in the law of reserves, which limits the number of days reserve soldiers can serve in active

reserve duty. "Though it is relatively quiet, we are in the eye of the storm, and in this kind of period

the most important thing the IDF needs in order to remain loyal to its job is to be ready ," says the

Deputy Chief of Staff.

"Our need in missions along the border requires a bigger arrangement of forces on the field. It can

happen from two places - regular service, which will damage training or reserves, which will hinder

the law of reserves. I personally recommended, and the Chief of Staff agrees, that it's better to

hinder the law of reserves and not training, because the latter is meant to serve the purpose of

preparedness in the IDF. We may need, for certain units, to surgically break the law of reserves. Ican tell reserve soldiers that in coming years we will call upon reserves no less, maybe even more."

May 2011


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ThenextgenerationofCombatManagement-"TheSuperHighway"

"The Super Highway" system is the next generation

of technology for combat management systems in

tanks. The system, developed by Elbit, has begun to

be integrated into some of the IDF's regular armored

divisions.

The technological leap represented by "The Super

Highway" system is in the speed that it can transfer dataand messages, within seconds or less. In each tank

connected to the system, an array of data related to

what is occurring on the battlefield appears on monitors.

New data appears on the screens with in seconds of being received by the system. The device itself

is small, taking up little space in the tank.

"There is no doubt that the device improves operational effectiveness and allows for immediate

communication without delays," said Lt. Col. Avi Uriel.

"The Super Highway" system also allows for data to be entered in higher volumes and more frequently.

May 2011


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IDFreducesannualfuelconsumptionby13percent

The IDF reduced its annual fuel consumption

by 13 percent in 2010. The reduction was

achieved within the framework of a project

led by the IDF's Technology and Logistics

Branch.

The reduction represented a quarterly savings

of around two million liters of fuel and around14 million shekels (based on fuel prices at

the time).

40 percent of the reduction came from

decreased fuel use in private vehicles.

According to data gathered during the past

four months, an even higher reduction of fuel

consumption is anticipated in 2011 by the Technology and Logistics Branch.

In addition to technical aspects, the Technology and Logistics Branch credited a change in thedriving culture of IDF officers and soldiers for the reduction in fuel consumption.

May 2011


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UNRWAspokesperson,TheIDFhasarightanddutytoprotectitscitizens

The IDF, like any other army in the world, has the right

and duty to protect its citizens, said the spokesperson

for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for

Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),

Christopher Gunness. In an interview with IDF

Website, Gunness discussed UNWRAs activities inthe Gaza Strip and the Judea and Samaria region,

as well as the influence the organization has not just

on Palestinian medical care but on education.

UNRWA was formed in 1948 in response to

Palestinians escape from their homes, by the

masses, to Israels neighboring countries, to the West Bank and to the Gaza Strip. According to

decision 302 of the UN General Assembly on December 8th, 1948, and the organizations activities

beginning on May 1st, 1950, UNRWAs responsibilities permanently linked it to routine work with

IDF forces.

UNRWA has authority over everything that has to do with humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees

including welfare, health, infrastructures and improvement of conditions in refugee camps. About

half of the budget is spent on education, explained Gunness. He added that the organization has

a significant effect on Palestinian education programs.

We use school books from the country in which we work, he says but adds that, from the year

2002, we enriched the system with hours dedicated to learning everything about the conflict and

human rights, teaching these as part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since 2007,

weve put even more emphasis on the matter in the Gaza Strip.

NoonewantstoseeIsraelslandered

With that, Gunness talked about the difficulties of educating in the Gaza Strip. Its hard to explain

human rights to someone who is under an occupation, he says, but adds that cooperation with the

IDF has been fruitful and continues to grow.

We have a good working relationship with the IDF, both using through our communication offices.

Regarding the IDFs image in the world Gunness said, At the end of the day, Israel is a member of

the UN and no one wants to see it slandered. You have a right and a duty to protect your citizens,

but to simultaneously safeguard the lives of the population in the Gaza Strip.

Unlike other Palestinians in the world, who are under the jurisdiction of the Office of the UnitedNations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNRWA is responsible for the care of Palestinian

refugees alone as it was formed before UNHCR.

There are those who say that UNRWA perpetuates the problem of Palestinian generations but

our process is similar to that of UNHCR. We absolutely do not perpetuate a problem for which a

solution can only be found in a rightful, long-term agreement according to a UN decision. Until

such a decision is made UNRWA will be here, said Gunness.

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May 2011


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UNWRAdenouncesterroristactivities

Referring to the humanitarian real ity in the Gaza Strip, Gunness explained that the IDF enables the

entrance of significant amounts of merchandise and medical equipment but says more needs to

be let in since there is a crisis in nearly every aspect of life in Gaza. UNRWA denounces terrorist

acts, the rocket attacks of terrorist organizations. We believe just being in possession of a Qassam

rocket is an illegal activity, he explains.

Gunness explained that UNRWAs humanitarian activities are absolutely in Israels best interest.

Open economy, strong imports and exports these all enable people to be less bi tter and allow them

a certain amount of normalcy which helps communicate with Israel as a partner, says Gunness.As part of this, for example, UNRWA is planning a Gaza marathon this week, like those, which

took place in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem recently, in order to acquire funds for the fifth year of summer

games in the Strip. In order to carry out the summer games UNRWA works together with the IDF,

"Thus far I know of no problems, he said.

May 2011


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RedCrossofcial:ThereisnohumanitariancrisisinGaza

Mathilde Redmatn is the deputy director of the

Red Cross in the Gaza Strip. Redmatn has had the

opportunity to see with her eyes what most of us

only see on television screens.

On previous assignments, Redmatn has lived in

Congo and Colombia. Her activities in Gaza are

completely different, she says."Of course the work is different everywhere, but here

the fabric of life is problematic," she says. "There are

two peoples, one living under closure and one living

under daily rocket fire, which violates international

law.

Redmatn has a lot to say about problems related to the closure Israel has placed on Gaza but

she also talks about the surprising normalcy in one of the most explosive regions of the world that

receives extensive media attention.

"There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza," she explains. "If you go to the supermarket, there

are products. There are restaurants and a nice beach. The problem is mainly in maintenance

of infrastructure and in access to goods, concrete for example. Israel has the legitimate right to

protect the civilan population, this right should be balanced with the rights of 1.5 million people

living in the Gaza Strip. Despite the easing of the closure and the partial lifting of export bans in

the wake of the flotilla incident, continued restrictions on the movement of people and difficulties

in importing building materials hampered sustainable economic recovery and dashed any hope of

leading a normal and dignified life".

The Red Cross is an international organization founded in 1863. It promotes laws that protect

the victims of war and provides humanitarian aid to people living in conflict zones. Red Crossrepresentatives have worked in Gaza since 1967. Their goal, says Redmatn, is twofold.

"We are documenting human rights violations according to international law and we speak with

relevant parties on how to take care of the issue," Redmatn says. "We are talking about captives

, soldiers, the wounded, and in fact anyone defined by the Geneva Convention. Additionally, in the

area of humanitarian assistance, we are mainly engaged in the areas of water and sanitation. We

are talking about a highly dense population. Most of the infrastructure cannot be improved due to

the closure so we try to improve the situation with existing tools. One example of this is a factory

we helped establish in order to clean sewage water that spills into the sea."

TheMarmara,HamasandtheArabworld

It is important to remember that the Red Cross is not a political organization by definition. It operates

through reports and two-sided dialogue, without expressing its own positions, maintaining complete

neutrality.

"Our goal is not to negotiate peace, but to ensure the well-being of the civilian population," Redmatn

says. "We understand and recognize Israel's right to security but it needs to maintain the balance

between that and the right of Palestinians living in Gaza to a living and to proper medical care. Of

course this is also the responsibility of Hamas to its citizens and therefore we also have relations

with them."

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May 2011


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TheRedCrossplayedaroleintheGazaflotillaincidentlastyear.

"We offered our assistance to Israeli authorities in regards to people who were arrested who were

from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel," Redmatn says. On the question of whether

the flotilla was peaceful, she answers neutrally "this is a matter we discuss with the responsible

parties." According to her, the flotilla led to changes in Israeli policy on Gaza but those changes

are not yet complete.

"More goods enter, but there is still room for improvement" in regards to exports and the passage

of people, she says.

A clear goal, but is it possible in light of the current threat? The subject, Redmatn says, is sensitive.

"Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip is against international law because it is directed at civilians," she

says. "We conduct confidentia l or bilateral dialouge with Hamas on the matter. As time passes, the

dialogue also develops."

On recent events in the Arab world, Redmatn says: "The new wind blowing in the Arab world doesnt

change the current activities of the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip. It's still too early to tell what will

happen and how needs will change. In any case, we will respond quickly to changes and we will

see what the future holds."

"WewillcontinuetoasktomonitorGiladShalitbutwedonothavethecapabilitytoforce

anythingonHamas"

Operating in the Gaza Strip requires the Red Cross to work on an ongoing basis with the IDF.

"The relationship with the IDF has developed over the years," Redmatn says. "The army understands

our mandate. We are in daily contact with each other to coordinate the entry of goods into Gaza

and the entry and exit of people, sometimes our personnel and sometimes patients who are going

to Israel to receive medical care. The second matter still needs improvement as the time required

to cross the border is still long. We hope to augment the medical equipment in Gaza itself in order

to reduce the number of people who need to go outside [of Gaza]."These days, she says, the organization has the goal of strengthening the relationship with IDF

soldiers.

"Not everyone understands what we are doing," she says. "Therefore, we talk about our work to

soldiers who serve at the Erez crossing. The intention is to expand this to the entire area around

Gaza."

But working with the IDF does not only regard the civilian population living in Gaza; it also touches

on captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Repeated requests by the Red Cross to monitor Shalit's condition have so far been met withpersistent refusal by Hamas.

"When a person's freedom is taken away, he deserves at least contact with his family," Redmatn

says. "We will continue to ask but we do not have the capability to force anything on Hamas.

Hamas' refusal is based on security reasons. Hamas is afraid of the IDF's advanced technological

capabilities and believes that allowing contact will lead to the location of Gilad."

Redmatn called on all sides to abide by international law.

"It is important that organizations and countries respect international law," she said. "Only thus will

the situation get better."

(This article was published on April 20th ,2011 in the IDF Website)

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TheIDFassiststheworkofHumanRights'Organizations

The value of the protection of Human Dignity is, among others, ingrained in the Code of Ethics of

the IDF according to which: The IDF and its soldiers are enforced to respect Human Dignity. Every

person is worthy of Human Dignity regardless of ethnic origin, religious affiliation, nationality,

gender, as well as social status and profession.

Human Rights' protection was legislated by the Knesset and the State as well as the Military

Legislative code .

One of the channels through which the IDF operates with Human Rights' Organizations , is byregular contact, updates as well as responses to applications made by these organizations,

along with regular meetings between them and senior IDF Commanders.

The overall handling of issues related to Human Rights is handled by the IDF Spokesperson's

Unit Public Relations Branch.

Within this responsibility, answers are regularly provided with regards to applications that address

the use of military force, as well as progress in military investigations where there exists suspicion

of Human Rights transgressions by serving soldiers. Furthermore, the IDF is openly prepared to

discuss and consider new ideas presented by the various organizations for the overall purpose

of preserving Human Rights as is stated in the Military Code, as well as the Law.

The dialogue enables to verify or deny claims placed against military personnel and commanders.

In some suitable instances actual inquiries can be obtained as well as the perspective of the

Military with regards to such claims, for the purpose of reconsideration.

In some instances, applications made by Human Rights' Organizations may well lead to procedures

such as inquiries, investigations or Investigative Military Police procedures, depending on the

decisions from authorized elements.

Furthermore, representatives of Human Rights' Organizations are invited at military academies

and courses such as the Senior Command Course (Lieutenant Colonels), at which IDF officers

are given the opportunity to get better acquainted with the subject of Human Rights.

The Human Rights' Section Officer has acquired an important status of respect from the military

establishment at large and enjoys widespread attention and assistance.

The IDF Spokesperson sees favorably cooperation with the various organizations and points

out that such open and transparent dialogue contributes to better trust and enables in-depth

research on the subject.

Global awareness to Human Rights is on the rise as well as being closely looked at with a view

to its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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May 2011


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A number of additional IDF elements provide responses to applications made by Human Rights'

Organizations, such as:

The Public Appeals Officer at Central Command who attends to specific applications by residents

of the Central Command Jurisdiction as well as Human Rights' organizations therein.

The Investigative Military Police who enable direct access for the submission of grievances

against military personnel.

The Civilian Administration on all issues pertaining entry into Israel under humanitarian pretexts.

For example, during 2010, 651,734 applications to enter Israel were submitted and processed, arise of 42% in comparison to 2009, in addition to stay-extensions granted.

The Military Advocacy in all that addresses pure legal handling.

In conclusion, the IDF has set itself one of the highest standards among armed forces worldwide

in establishing the preservation of Human Rights. This is best expressed in the routine operation

of the armed forces both in time of war as well as in particular operations . Human Dignity is an

integral part of the IDF Ethical Code and Spirit , and is a dominant component in the training of

soldiers and their commanders. It is the conviction of the IDF and its commanders that a soundethical infrastructure is imperative for the preservation of the security of the citizens of Israel.

May 2011


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IAF'sreghtingsquadronnamedforfallenvolunteer

Now it is official: the IAF's aerial firefighting

squadron is armed and ready for action. On

Thursday (May 12), the squadron was inducted

into the IAF in a formal inauguration ceremony

on the air force base Sde Dov. The ceremony

took place in the presence of Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Minister of Internal

Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitz, Commanderof the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Ido Nechushtan

and other officials. The squadron, whose

aircrafts flew from Spain and landed in Israel

a month and a half ago, is named after Elad

Riban (RIP), killed during the tragic Carmel

fires in December of 2010.

"A number of months ago, Israel found itself fighting a devastating fire, one of the biggest fires

it has faced since the inception of the country," began IAF commander, Maj. Gen. Nechushtan,

"Along with extraordinary efforts by our forces, we found ourselves receiving help from 11 different

countries, which operated 30 different types of aircrafts in Israel's skies. The IAF's firefightingunit is becoming operational this very minute, with the hope that we'll be more ready for the next

incident."

The IAF commander turned to Tzvia Riban, Elad's mother, and spoke about their story. 16-year-

old Elad had been a volunteer firefighter. "Dear Tzvia, among the many losses in the Carmel fire,

the story of Elad stood out, a young man of only 16. His love for aircrafts and firefighting comes

together here today, with the naming of the unit after him. He is a symbol of the good in young

people, of responsibility and bravery," he said. Maj. Gen. Nechushtan added that this is only the

beginning of the road, and that he expects to continue the cooperation with bodies involved.

The squadron includes seven firefighting planes, the plane chosen for this purpose was the

American Air Tractor AT-802. The plane is powerful , capable of landing on water and with a tank

which can hold up to three tons of water. "This is a major upgrade in everything that has to do

with Israel's ability to deal with these types of drastic fires. The squadron's duty is twofold to

protect us, the citizens of the country, and to protect the Israeli landscape."

The Prime Minister, who met up with the Riban family a number of times since the death of Elad,

mentioned the importance of naming the squadron after him. "I told you, Tzvia, that I would do

everything in order to keep the legacy of Elad alive, a young man I didn't get to know personally,

but by whom I'm deeply impressed. The day has come."

Tzvia Riban chose to appear in place of her son at the important stance. "Today you are making

the dream of a 16-year-old boy who is no longer with us come true," she whispered, straining. "A

firefighting squadron named after Elad actually falls between the two things he loved more than

anything flying planes and firefighting. I thank you in his name, and want to bel ieve that he will

be with you in the sky. I know, too, that what he would want more than anything is that his death

would not have been in vain."

May 2011


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Presidenthonors120outstandingIDFsoldiers

In a ceremony held on Tuesday (May 10) at the President's residence in Jerusalem, President

Shimon Peres gave certificates of excellence to 120 IDF soldiers.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud

Barak, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and members of the General Staff Forum.

The 120 soldiers were honored after a long, comprehensive and meticulous selection process.

They will receive 4,000 NIS scholarships from the Association for the Welfare of Israels Soldiers.

The scholarships were donated by the Len Blavatnik Foundation through the UK Friends of AWIS.

The honored soldiers included 86 males, 34 females, 53 combat soldiers, 20 immigrants, nine

lone soldiers and nine officers.

"Millions of eyes are on you now and see the pride of your parents, the joy of your country and

the hope of your people," Peres said.

May 2011


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ChiefofStaff:ThosewelostremainwithusintheSpiritoftheIDF

Memorial Day ceremonies commenced

with a speech by the Chief of the General

Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, who told

families of fallen soldiers that the IDF

stands with them in their bereavement.

TheChiefofStaff'sspeech:

The Western Wall - this wall of prayers,

last memory of the Temple, in front of

which we stand every year, remembering

and reminding of the sons and daughters,

who gave their souls for the dream of

establishing an Israeli nation in its country.

The Western Wall - thousands of years of

prayers and wishes are shoved into its

slits, between the large bricks.

The Western Wall - the images of paratroopers touching its stones and kissing them- shedding tears

of joy for the return of out people to its eternal capital , alongside tears of grief for their brothers,

fallen in the grueling battles. These tears are the most esteemed expression of happiness and

pain entwined in our every step and in our every struggle; they are the both honey and sting.

Both the Israeli flag on display, but also the burnt tank on the bridge leading to the Lions Gate.

Both blowing of the shofar and calls of praise by Rabbi Goren, but also the Yizkor (remembrance)

prayer; these are Independence Day, but also Memorial Day sacredly greeting it. These are tears

of heroism, they are the essence of Israels history.

The President of Israel, IDF soldiers and commanders on duty, the house of Israel communingtonight with the pain and pride of the memory of our loved ones, fami ly members of the fallen.

In his song, In the full extent of mercy Yehuda Amichai writes, count them. You can count the.

They are not grains of sand on the beach. They are not as stars in the sky. They are single people.

On the corner and at the street. I look at you and see in front of me, the long journey of fallen

IDF soldier, 22,867 soldiers, commanders, in both regular service and in the army reserves.

Each of their names engraved on a tombstone or written on a memorial board; each one has

a family and loved ones, aching over the loss, and each one has a story prematurely severed,

diminishing the heart with questions such as what if and what could have been.

Nowordcanlessenthepain

In our nations long struggle for future security, freedom and peace, you lost the dearest of all; no

word can lessen the pain, or return what you lost the day the darkness of bereavement deluged

your homes. However, looking at the army I fought and commanded in for over thirty years, and

which I now lead with pride and a heavy responsibility, I clearly understand that those we lost

over the years remain with us in the Spirit of the IDF, in its operations and its soldiers, day by

day, night by night.

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Even now, when we gather in this sacred square, fighters and commanders in the Gaza and

Lebanon borders, in the Hebron and Nablus allies, in combat planes and missile ships; performing

the mission carried on from generation to generation of defending the nation and the country.

And even at this special hour, the IDF stands strong, defending fiercely, powerful and intimidating.

Ready to defeat every enemy who will threaten our existence and everyday lives; and protect those

looking up at us, in whose name we fight.

Weprovedtotheworldthevaluesofpurityofarmsandethicalstandards

In the past few years, in the face of constant, repeated attempts to blemish the dedication of oursoldiers, the IDF never abandoned its missions, in hand a mighty ethical compass. We have proven

to the world- in the field, through the legs, in tens of operations, that our soldiers and commander

carry in their hearts the values of purity of arms and highest ethical standards. These operational and

ethical norms were determined by commanders and soldiers who decided to establish adherence

to the mission as a cardinal value and are wholeheartedly dedicated to fulfilling it.

Such were the people of the militias in the Yeshuv and the fighters of 1947 who fought with their

weapons and the plow, climbed the mountain and stuck pegs in the valley, fought and paid with

their lives. And these were the ones who paved the way to the old city and the heroes of the Six

Day War. These were the legendary figures like Maj. Hanan Samson, Capt. Gadi Manela and Col.Arik Regev, who defeated terror in Israel and those in pursuit of them in the valley in brave missions

and fell, sanctifying the rightousness of the State and the weapon. These were Golani soldiers, who

wrote with courage on Beaufort Castle in Operation Peace for Galilee, such was the commander

of the elite forces of Golani, Maj. Goni Hernik who stood at the head calling After me!, charged

up the hill and never returned.

Today, too, I find in IDF commanders and its soldiers this special species of great stature. Many

of them abused their souls in the battlefield over the past few years and their figures stay perfect

for us forever. These qualities were engraved in the personality of the deputy commander of the

battalion, Maj. Roi Klein, who sacrificed his life for his soldiers when he jumped on a grenade about

to explode and kill them. I saw them in the behavior of the doctor, Capt. Igor Rotshtein, a reserves

officer who fell while he treated a wounded soldier under heavy fire in the village of Merchava in

southern Lebanon. I saw it in the deputy commander of the company, Lt. Alex Shwartzman, who

was severely wounded as he charged into the battlefront in order to fulfill his orders and would not

leave until his last drop of blood was gone.

OntheMiddleEastrevolutions,Wearewatchinghistorybemade

These extraordinary acts express the belief that if we set out for battle, we must fulfill our duties

with determination, to fight the right fight and to win. This is the fuel which pushed commanders

and soldiers over generations to stand time after time at the helm, this is the inner fire which moves

the IDF to achieve incredible feats, and I expect that this dedication and will to win engrained in

these ethics will continue to lead commanders and combat soldiers every second, in every place

and in every task they take on.

These days, we are looking around and seeing revolutions sweeping the Middle East. We are

watching history be made. The events which broke out from a reality of frustration and oppression

show signs of hope but also shake stability in the area and add possible threats to the State of

Israel.

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Wemustbemoreflexible,moreunified

In light of all of this, the IDF must be ready to take on a variety of changing challenges, and in each

battlefront and maybe in all of them together in terms of all the nation is a battlefront. We must

strengthen and be more flexible, more creative, more unified and a better strong hold.

Only this kind of an army will send a clear message for those who wish to do us harm, because the

State of Israel and the Jewish nation have a steadfast fortress and everyone who wishes to stand

against us will feel our strength. Only this kind of an army, who knows how imperative defense is,

who leans on priding itself on humanity of the people of this country, will be able to push away warfrom our region, to cry out if something happens and, mostly, bring the promise of peace to the

State of Israel.

Dear family members, in this place, where we are bringing up the sacred memory of your sons

and daughters we gaze at your special heroism, the miracle of coping with this day another day

of bereavement.

As someone who grew in the community of Kfar Achim, named for the brothers Efraim and Tzvi

Govar, who fell in the War of Independence, and knew their nation, the nation of boys Rivka

Govar and their father Mordechai, who from their great loss, built a huge factory of incredible

production. As a commander during my service in the army Ive stood at the door of many familieswhose worlds were destroyed and as someone learning today, too, about their inner strength

of outstanding characters like Miriam Peretz, the mother of Uriel and Eliraz Peretz, who painful

circumstances turned her into the mother of boys of our time. It is obvious to me that like their

acts and heroism of your loved ones, your strength of spirit follow the IDF in its way throughout

the years, as a source of strength and a constant reminder of the will of life of the friends of fallen

soldiers.

"Istandbeforeyoutonight,swearingtocontinuetoremember"

In the name of the IDF, for each of the tens of thousands of soldiers saluting the fallen, I stand

before you tonight, swearing to continue to remember, and promise that even tomorrow, when thememorial candles turn into the fireworks of Independence Day, we the large IDF family will continue

to stand alongside you in your bereavement.

Mr. President, bereaved families. At every time, and even more during these historical times, the

IDF is alert and ready to defend the country and its citizens; I am confident that together with you,

along with the entire house of Israel and Jews everywhere, we carry the eternal prayer of our

people for better days.

Such was the prayer found in the wallet of Major Banya Rein, a tank officer who fell in the Second

Lebanon War "Let us erase wars and bloodshed from the world and that no nation shall lift up

sword against nation and nor shall they learn of war anymore.

May the memory of the sons and daughters be blessed.

May 2011

Eng Newsletter - May 2011

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