Baruch Hashem, the cogs of the army have started moving and we’ve reached a point where we can say that they have a better control over the protective equipment situation. The army is saying that soldiers at the front will not enter the field of battle without all the right kit. One People continue to support the army in getting the right protective equipment to the right soldiers, but we can’t interfere in army logistics and supply lines.
Make no mistake about it: We take immediate and decisive action if a unit is in danger or under direct fire and the army is delayed in equipping them. Then we do everything in our power to immediately fill the gap until the army meets their responsibilities.
So as the army increasingly gains control over the equipment situation each day, we recognize that this is not where One People is needed most...
Where are we needed most?
We will naturally continue to support the army in every way we can, but we will also devote attention to a crucial issue that's unfortunately being severely under-prioritized by the government. In the same way that we will take swift and decisive action when we see any of our boys and girls under fire, so we must take action on issues at risk of being neglected if we don’t act, issues that do not fall directly under the army’s purview…
Allow me to give you context:
The war began on Shabbat a few weeks ago, with thousands of Hamas militants breaching the wall to target Jewish communities and army bases. While army bases had soldiers for defense, our villages and Jewish communities relied on Kitot Konanut, rapid reaction forces composed of fathers and mothers, boys and girls, defending their homes and their families throughout the region.
Many of us have heard the story of Inbal Lieberman who’s alertness saved the entire Kibbutz Nir-Am. She is part of her Kitat Konanut! These rapid civilian reaction forces have existed for over 75 years, with origins in the Hashomer in the early 1900s. Virtually every kibbutz, moshav, and village has one of these teams. Throughout Israel's history, we've relied on them to safeguard our border towns and villages. They are literally our hidden heroes!
Let me tell you this, these Kitot do not have bulletproof vests, they do not have helmets, some of them have long guns, some of them only have their pistols. They don't have transportation, some barely have walkie talkies. Furthermore a huge portion of the men are in reserves, Miluim, leaving their villages unprotected; leaving their families, their women and children unprotected. At the best of times the Kitot Konanut are underfunded and under-equipped. And guess what? They're at the end of the list of the country's priorities now because we're at war. There’s a clear and present danger! The thing is: most Jews outside of Israel have no idea that this is how we defend our people, and have done so for the last 100 years in Eretz Israel. Absolutely no idea…
We must educate them.
So let me tell you where we’re needed the most and where our involvement can make a huge difference: We will help to equip those who fall outside the scope of the army’s responsibility! The fathers and mothers from the roughly 400 villages and small towns that are at highest risk of attack, risking their lives to patrol and defend their yeshuvim. The medical teams who risk their lives to retreive the wounded, police and special units who fall outside of the army’s purview. We will adopt these rapid reaction forces and ensure they have the protective equipment they need.
Please go and help One People raise money to distribute this life-saving equipment.
If you believe you can contribute with your skills and time, please reach out to Ari Jason or Eli Spitalnik.
Thank you for being part of the One People community and thank you for saving lives!
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