eng newsletter -november 2011

8/3/2019 Eng Newsletter -November 2011

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"PalestinianAuthoritymightstopconsideringHamasas

anenemy"-Brig.GeneralNitzanAlon,outgoingRegionalDivisionCommanderforJudeaandSamaria,inapersonalinterview.

On the Shalit deal - "We shall be able to contain the terroristswho have been released".

September Events - "These events were within the scope wehad expected".

On "PriceTag" - "This is Jewish Terror that stains the settlementmovement. READMORE

Operations Room

Pictures of the Month

One on One

Challenges of the Moment

IDF Events

IAF: Green projects and environmental awareness -A system producing electricity from solar energy to beimplemented at the Air Defense Training School. The IAF isplanning additional green projects to use solar energy andprotect the environment.READMORE

InfiltrationattemptthwartedonIsrael-Egyptborder - TwoEgyptian policemen killed by smugglers gunfire at Israel-Egypt border.READMORE

Chief ofStaffcallsfora surprisetraining exercise- Lt.Gen. Gantz calls the Valley Brigade for a training exercisesimulating an abduction of a soldier at the Beka'ot crossing.

READMORE

Inresponsetorocketfire,IAFtargetsterroractivitysites - Rockets were fired from Gaza at Israeli communities, IAFtargets terror site and tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip inresponse. READMORE

IDFandISAthwartterrorist cellactivitysouthofJerusalem- Released for publication: a terrorist cell suspected forshooting attacks and use of explosives was arrested. READMORE

AgriculturaleducationprogramheldaheadofGazaexportseason- With the agricultural export season due to start atthe end of November, and after the finalization of the tradeprocess from Gaza to various European markets, a continuingeducation program for Palestinian farmers was held onNovember 9 by the Coordination and Liaison Administrationfor Gaza.READMORE

November2011draft:Increaseinmotivation toserveincombatunits-76.2 percent of all qualified enlistees requestedto serve in field units, up two percent from last November.READMORE

American IDF lone soldiers celebrate Thanksgiving inJerusalem-American Jewish Committee hosts its 10th annualThanksgiving dinner for IDF lone soldiers.READMORE

GeneralStaffForumholdsconferenceinmemoryofYitzhakRabin-Chief of Staff: IDF must continue to strengthen andprepare for all threats.READMORE

IDFparticipatesintraumacarecourseforforeigndoctors-Purpose of program is to train doctors to build similar coursesin their own countries.READMORE

27 years ago: IDF helps thousands Ethiopian Jewsimmigrate to Israel - Ethiopians assume commandingpositions in the IDF embracing their motivation to contribute,27 years after Operation Moses.READMORE

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InltrationattemptthwartedonIsrael-Egyptborder

While patrolling at the Israeli-Egyptian border on

November 23rd, IDF soldiers identified a group

of armed suspects that infiltrated into Israeli

territroy during a smuggling attempt. IDF soldiers

attempted to apprehend the suspects according to

the internationally accepted rules of engagement.

Following the smugglers refusal to stop and adhere

to the soldier's calls, the soldiers fired at their lowerbody mass, confirming a hit. The suspects returned

fire.

In a search conducted in the area following the

incident, an AK-47, a pistol and a sharp object used

for cutting were found. No IDF soldiers were harmed and no damage was caused in this incident.

Additionally at the border two Egyptian policemen were killed from gunfire by smugglers that came

from Egypt.

Initial IDF reports clearly indicate that the Egyptian policemen were not killed by IDF fire.

In response, the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz instructed to back up IDF forces

at the Israel- Egypt border and heighten security of nearby communities. IDF forces will continue

to search the area throughout the night and early in the morning, as instructed by Lt. Gen. Gantz

and a thorough search will be conducted in the area.

November 2011


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ChiefofStaffcallsforasurprisetrainingexercise

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

Gantz called the Valley Brigade for a broad

training exercise in cooperation with the

Operations Brigade. Among other things, the

forces practiced an abduction scenario from the

Beka'ot Crossing to the Nablus area.

The forces also trained for an infiltration scenario

into a community in the Judea and Samaria area.

Security forces were called to the scene, similar

to the terrorist attack in which five members of

the Fogel family members were murdered in the

Itamar community over six months ago.

Head of the IDF Inspection Department, Col. Slomi Fayer noted that "this is the first training exercise

on the General Staff level in the past few years and it is held in response to various warnings and

threats." He mentioned that the exercise tested the cooperation between the different divisions and

forces.

Approximately three months ago, Lt. Gen. Gantz called for a similar exercise in the Binyamin

Brigade. During a conversation he held with the soldiers and without previous knowledge of the

commanders, the Chief of Staff called for all forces in the Binyamin Division and trained for incidents

of violent riots in the area.

November 2011


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Inresponsetorocketfire,IAFtargetsterroractivitysites

In response to rocket fire, IAF aircraft targeted a terror tunnel

and a terror activity site in the northern Gaza Strip overnight.

Direct hits were confirmed.

Tunnels such as this one are intended for infiltrating into Israel

and executing terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF

soldiers.

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers, and will continue tooperate against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel. The Hamas terror organization

is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

November 2011


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IDFandISAthwartterroristcellactivitysouthofJerusalem

In a combined IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA) operation,

a terrorist cell was recently arrested. The terrorists (ages

18-22), from a village near Bethlehem, are suspected for

a shooting attack as well as placement and launching

of explosives- released for publication on Wednesday

(November 16).

Details published by the ISA indicate that the terrorists areresponsible for shooting at a Border Police vehicle near the

security fence north of Beit Sahour in August.

Several days after the terror attack the ISA and the Israel Police interrogated several residents

from the Beit Sahour village suspected to be involved in the attack. During the investigation,

extensive terrorist activity by a local terrorist cell was revealed. The terrorists were trained, used

improvised weapons, performed several shooting attacks, placed explosives in the area and

threw numerous Molotov Cocktails.

The ISA added that the terrorists planned violent riots to 'lure' security forces to the area. Once

the security forces arrived at the scene, the terrorist cell fired at them using improvised guns. Noinjuries or damage were reported in any of the attacks.

Indictments against the suspects were presented to the Judea and Samaria military court, including

attempted murder, production of weapons, weapon trade, military training, throwing of lit items

and more. The trial will commence in the coming days.

November 2011


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"PalestinianAuthoritymightstopconsideringHamasasanenemy"

The following is a condensed and translated

version of an exclusive interview Brigadier

General Nitzan Alon gave to IDF Website.

After two years on the job, Brigadier General

Nitzan Alon recently finished his time as

commander of the IDF's Judea and Samaria

Division.

"We knew both stinging failures and proper

successes," Brig. Gen. Alon said at the change

of command ceremony.

Before having one of the IDF's most challenging

command posts placed in his hands, Brig. Gen.

Alon served in a long list of significant roles.

And leading the Judea and Samaria division

was a non-stop endeavor for him. So it's not surprising that one of the first things he did after

leaving the post was to take a family vacation to Eilat.

But the important questions that faced Brig. Gen. Alon in recent years still weigh on his mind.

'Reality is not static, it changes all the time," he said in an exclusive interview with IDF Website. 'It

certainly does not depend on the identity of a division commander."

Brig. Gen. Alon cautiously weighs his words and analyzes all aspects of each detail, befitting one

who possesses a double degree in physics and material engineering.

The strategic reality of the region is changing, he said.

"You cannot judge the situation one-dimensionally and the challenge is to conduct operations

relevant to the changing reali ty," he continued. "Mainly, I wanted to look ahead. The basic missionin Judea and Samaria has the passive connotation of preserving the reality, preventing terrorist

attacks and of maintaining the status quo. The challenge is to truly find ways to initiate and be

proactive."

And recent months in Judea and Samaria saw much action. The threat of unilateral Palestinian steps

at the UN along with the violent Nakba and Naksa Day riots got the attention of IDF commanders.

Millions of shekels were invested in crowd control training, riot dispersal means and the strengthening

of engineering and logistical infrastructure. In the end, "September" amounted to a number of

violent disturbances as well as demonstrations and rallies in Palestinian cities.

"First of all, the current slogan is that 'this is not a date, but rather a process' and overall ourestimate of 'September' materialized quite accurately," Brig. Gen. Alon said, stating that he thinks

the IDF prepared appropriately.

"This threat is relevant and certainly needs to be part of the basic training of the division," he said.

"I dont regret any shekel spent or exercise conducted. This investment is relevant."

At the same time, it has become apparent that the "Arab Spring", which some alternatively call the

"Radical Islamic Winter", resonates even among Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.

ContinueReading

November 2011


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"This adds to the uncertainty - there is

here potentially explosive material," Brig.

Gen. Alon said. "It could be an uprising

against us, or one against the Palestinian

Authority."

Brig. Gen. Alon takes seriously the

possibility of a scenario in which the

Palestinian Authority no longer seesHamas as a common enemy. "But, if I

look at my time over the past two years,"

he said, "and even a year before, the

PA has been a stabilizing force that truly

views Hamas as its main enemy. It's not

just words, but mainly deeds. PA security

forces thwart attacks, operate to suppress Hamas, and they're not doing it for our good looks or a

love of Israel. They do it because they perceive it as part of their ability to govern and their ability

to survive physically. The trauma of the events of Hamas' rise to power in Gaza is seared in their

minds."There is, however, another side. "Within its people, the PA needs public support," Brig. Gen. Alon

noted, saying this is why the PA pursues unilateral measures against Israel and a reconciliation

agreement with Hamas.

"There certainly could be a situation in which the PA does not see Hamas as its chief enemy, but

the PA will always fear the rise of Hamas," he said.

Despite the relative security calm in Judea and Samaria, there have been some unusual events in

the past year, including the raising of Hamas flags, the detonation of an explosive device next to

an IDF force and a night during which IDF soldiers conducted dozens of arrests.

"I think the daily reality sometimes doesnt make headlines because there arent attacks, but the

main business is the continuation of the fight against terrorism," Brig. Gen. Alon said. He added

that the IDF's anti-terror mechanisms work "all the time and continuously."

Brig. Gen. Alon said that terrorist attacks are thwarted constantly, sometimes at the last minute.

He said that the IDF has been operating intensively against Hamas terrorist infrastructure in the

city of Hebron, noting that hundreds of Hamas members have been detained in that area.

Brig. Gen. Alon also said that there has been a revival of the Islamic Jihad group in northern Samaria

and that there has been an increase in Hamas and PFLP activity in the Binyamin-Ramallah area.

"We do not discriminate and we fight any person or group that engages in terrorism," he said.

November 2011


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IAF:Greenprojectsandenvironmentalawareness

For the first time on November 16 a system using photovoltaic

solar cells to produce 'green' energy is implemented at an

operational IAF base, the Air Defense Training School.

The photovoltaic project bares great importance in the IAF,

implementing systems in several IAF bases and presenting

the cells at the IAF museum. The Air Defense Training

School is pleased to turn its base to nature friendly andstart using sunlight to create energy while preserving the

environment, saving hundreds of thousands of NIS and

improving electricity systems.

"Implementing the system doesn't only save money, but also expresses values we believe in,"

said Commander of the Air Defense Training School, Col. Yoni Seida-Marom. "Using the system,

we are creating a better environment for the commanders, without the noise and pollution of

electrical generators. We're teaching our soldiers a green state of mind and high environmental

awareness they will follow for the rest of their lives," added Col. Seida-Marom.

The photovoltaic plates are produced by the Enlight Company, "the cooperation with the IAF willcontinue and will build additional devices in other IAF bases," said the Enlight advertising vice-

president, Yoel Tzafriri. "In December the system will be implemented at the Hatzor Airbase, then

at Ein Shemer, Palmachim and the other bases."

Implementing the photovoltaic panels is part of the "Blue Builds Green" project the IAF took on

to preserve the environment. "In the IAF we teach our soldiers to defend the environment," said

Col. Michael Zisman.

The IAF is planning additional green projects to use solar energy and protect the environment.

"There are additional plans including a therma-solar device at the Nevatim Airbase," said the

"Blue Builds Green" project officer, Maj. Eitan Basson. "The IAF does not pollute."

November 2011


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AgriculturaleducationprogramheldaheadofGazaexportseason

With the agricultural export season due to start at the end of

November, and after the finalization of the trade process from

Gaza to various European markets, a continuing education

program for Palestinian farmers was held on Wednesday

(November 9) by the Coordination and Liaison Administration

for Gaza.

As part of the conference, a detailed explanation of the exportprocess was given. This process begins from the moment

the product is picked and packed in Gaza, after which it

is sent out of Gaza via the Kerem Shalom land crossing

and sold in the European market, all while maintaining the

freshness and high quality of the products. Furthermore, representatives of the Coordinator of

the Government Activates in the Territories (COGAT) have announced that starting next month,

an initial pilot program of furniture export from Gaza to Europe will commence.

The conference was part of the ongoing daily cooperation between the Coordination and Liaison

Administration for Gaza and the Palestinians in the agricultural sector. The conference wasattended by representatives of both the Agricultural Ministry of Israel and Gaza, observers on

behalf of the Quartet, representatives of Israeli exporters, representative of the European States

in the PA and a representative of the Kerem Shalom land crossing. All the attendees mentioned

the great importance of the cooperation in this field and expressed their hope it would expand to

other fields as well.

Mr. Tim Williams, the Quartet Advisor said: It is important

that we will see exports from Gaza and not just from the

network of the Dutch project. We know that the Quartet is

working and supporting the advancement of this field and

that Israel already okayed the export of furniture and textiles,and I expect that from now on we will begin to see exports

of furniture already in the coming weeks as was promised.

This conference is one of many held as part of the initiative

to mutually learn, improve and advance the agricultural

sector in Gaza, including a host of issues ranging from

technological innovation to the control of harmful pests and

diseases.

One example of the regular services done by the CLA is teaching Gazan farmers how to treat the

severe infestation of the red palm weevil in the past year. This dangerous pest, though tiny in

size, is extremely harmful for crops. This pest made its way to Gaza via the illegal tunnel network

often used by Hamas terrorist between the St rip and Egypt. Though the existence of these illegal

tunnels served as the catalyst for the infestation, the CLA assisted the farmers in Gaza whose

crops had been damaged.

During the past year, Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have exported more than 399 tons of

strawberries, ten million carnations, 6.5 tons of cherry tomatoes and six million tons of red, green

and yellow bell peppers to European markets. In the coming year, Palestinians are expected to

export 1,000 tons of strawberries, 20 million carnations and 150 tons of red, green and yellow

bell peppers. The exports are carried out thanks to the cooperation between COGAT and thePalestinian agricultural coordinator who work together in order to improve the lives of Gaza's

civilian residents.

November 2011


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November2011draft:Increaseinmotivationtoserveincombatunits

The November 2011 draft cycle got underway on

Sunday (November 20). Data shows a continuing

increase in the motivation of new IDF enlistees to

serve in combat units.

In the November 2011 draft cycle, 76.2 percent of all

qualified enlistees requested to serve in field units,up from 74.2 percent in the November 2010 draft

cycle.

There is also a two percent increase in the demand

to serve in infantry brigades.

New enlistees entering the IDF will serve in combat, combat support and administrative units.

"The high level of motivation of youth to serve in combat roles, which is evident in this draft

cycle, is a source of pride and encouragement," said Maj. Gen. Orna Barbivai, head of the IDF's

Human Resources Directorate.

November 2011


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AmericanIDFlonesoldierscelebrateThanksgivinginJerusalem

For lone IDF soldiers, holidays can be tough. Far

away from their families, it's common for lone

soldiers to long for home during these times.

On November 24rd, however, 30 American

IDF lone soldiers did their best to create a

proper Thanksgiving atmosphere in Israel. The

lone soldiers gathered at the American JewishCommittee building in Jerusalem for a traditional

Thanksgiving meal, highlighted by two plump and

delicious turkeys.

All parts of the IDF were represented at the dinner, from elite combat fighters to everyday jobniks.

"These are young people who left behind college educations, careers that they were starting,

they made a choice to come to Israel, make aliyah, and to put themselves on the line defending

their new country," said Edward Rettig, the director of the American Jewish Committee in Israel.

"We very much honor that decision they made."

"These are people whose parents and friends are 8,000 kilometers away, so especially on a

holiday like Thanksgiving we want to be there for them, give them a real ly good meal and provide

them with a little taste of America," Rettig continued.

This marked the 10th straight year that the AJC has hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for American

lone soldiers.

In recent years, an empty chair had been placed at the Thanksgiving dinner table for captured

IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. With Shalit's homecoming last month, no such chair was needed this

year, Rettig noted happily.

After the meal, with their stomachs packed with turkey and their minds full of holiday cheer, the

soldiers dispersed into the cool Jerusalem night to return to their bases and continue defending

their people's homeland.

November 2011


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GeneralStaffForumholdsconferenceinmemoryofYitzhakRabin

On Monday (November 7), the General Staff Forum

held a special conference to mark the memorial

day for the late Yitzhak Rabin, the former prime

minister, defense minister and chief of staff who

was assassinated 16 years ago.

The conference was held at the Rabin Center in

Tel Aviv.

The event began with a memorial service for

Rabin. Participants included Chief of the General

Staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, Yitzhak

Rabin's daughter Dalia, members of the General

Staff Forum and the chairman of the Rabin Center.

After the ceremony, the members of the General Staff Forum heard a lecture from Brig. Gen.

(res.) Mordechai Bar On on the matter of "decisions that shape the establishment of the nation".

The members of the General Staff Forum also held a long discussion on "Our Challenges" , during

which they discussed the challenges of the status quo and the socio-economic challenges at thecenter of discourse in today's Israeli society.

Lt. Gen. Gantz said that Rabin had told Israeli youth not to accept existing conventions and called

for changes when necessary. He said that, as prime minister, Rabin acted to change national

priorities and dealt with complex challenges.

Lt. Gen. Gantz quoted Rabin as saying that there are risks of consequences when cutting the

defense budget.

Lt. Gen. Gantz continued: "In this spirit, the IDF must continue to strengthen and prepare for

any threat, as a determined defensive force, deterring and decisive, and be an example ofcontribution to state security and the strength of society. Only this way, can we meet security and

social challenges, as a people fortified as a strong wall, as a powerful armed nation."

November 2011


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IDFparticipatesintraumacarecourseforforeigndoctors

A delegation of around 30 doctors, nurses and paramedics from developing countries participated

in an activity day this month arranged by the IDF's military medical school, as part of Rambam

Hospital's international course on organizing and managing a trauma system.

Within the framework of the seminar, delegation members experienced advanced simulations

that were opened for the first time for foreign entities and trained in providing medical care in

field conditions.

This marked the eighth time that the course was conducted by the hospital, and the first that

included the simulations that were conducted in cooperation with the military medical school at

Bahad 10.

"The point of the course is to teach foreign medical officials how to organize a trauma care

system and how to plan for a mass casualty event," said Dr. Moshe Michaelson, the course

medical director. "The visit to Bahad 10 was meant to allow delegation members, some of whom

are military doctors, to train in providing urgent medical care, using advanced equipment in the

trauma department, and to learn from Israel's comprehensive experience in operating in these

types of events."

During the day, the delegation toured the base and participated in an exercise simulating providing

medical care under fire. The delegation learned about emergency situations and various medical

issues and trained with sophisticated mannequins that simulated human beings.

"These are very advanced technologies," said Sgt. Lee Marom, a trauma counselor who participated

in the simulation. Sgt. Marom said that new mannequins talk, cough and sweat, in addition to

simulating blood flow, tongue edemas and locking jaws.

Delegation members trained in teams to open airways in field conditions and in emergency

situations in operating rooms.

"This is training usually used by doctors in elite units," said Corporal Omri Avidan, one of the

instructors. "These are the exact same scenarios, only this time we are doing them in English."

Instructors said that a pleasant atmosphere existed with the foreign doctors, who asked many

professional and personal questions, leading to fruitful cooperation.

"The course expanded our comprehension of emergency medical care," said Dr. Andreas Markides

from Chile. "I hope we can bring the knowledge we acquired to the citizens of our countries."

"Ultimately, our goal is that the course will produce people with the ability to build similar courses

in their own countries, to train real trauma systems in various contries," said Dr. Eran Tal-Or, head

of Poria Hospital's emergency medical care department. "A doctor who we trained has already

opened a course in Costa Rica and we hope that more courses will be opened."

November 2011


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27yearsago:IDFhelpsthousandsEthiopianJewsimmigratetoIsrael

27 years ago, in a furtive and daring operation the Mossad (Israeli Intelligence Agency) aided

approximately 8,000 Ethiopian Jews immigrate to Israel and to safety. 'Operation Moses' lasted

from November 12th, 1984 to January 5th, 1985 and required flawless cooperation between the

IDF, the CIA, the US embassy and more.

Nowadays, the majority of Israeli Ethiopians consider their service in the IDF crucial and valuable

to their development as Israelis and as people in general.

Ethiopian teens are known for their motivation to serve in combat units and contribute as much

as possible.

The first Ethiopian battalion commander in the IDF, Lt. Col. Tzion Shankor of the Kfir Brigade,

immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia in the 1980's.

"At first I was confronted with drastic differences in language and culture, but eventually I overcame

the challenge of learning with everything," said Lt. Col. Shankor. He explained that he always

hoped to serve in the Paratroopers Brigade, and in spite of his several medical conditions was

able to make his dream a reality.

"After completing a year and two months of training, I understood that beyond being a combat

soldier I also want to be a commander and completed commanders' course with honors," Lt . Col.

Shankor continued. "I then went to officer's school and became a commander at the IDF Officers'

Academy, later on taking on a commanding position in the Kfir Brigade."

Lt. Col. Shankor explained how important it was to him to contribute and prove his capability as

an Ethiopian. He always tells his soldiers, "aim as high as possible and believe in yourselves.

From a kid who didn't finish high-school, I am now an officer with a Bachelor's Degree. If I can,

anybody can."

Similarly to Lt. Col. Shankor, Emanuel Pasana, an officer in the Nahal Brigade, immigrated to

Israel at the age of 10 along with his parents and twelve brothers and sisters. Pasana knew he

wanted to spend three years contributing to his country and society as much as possible.

After contributing yet another year of his life and working with special needs children, Pasana

joined the Nahal Brigade's 50th Battalion. He was quickly distinguished as an excellent soldier

and was sent to commander's course and later on officers' school. He said that his friends and

family are proud of him and his achievements in the IDF.

Since 2010 there have been more than 110,000 Israeli-Ethiopians residents in Israel, thousands

of them joining the army every year. Many Israeli Ethiopians serve in combat positions in everydivision of the IDF, and many of them are selected to become officers and return to their units

as commanders.

November 2011

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