• 31yearoldvehicledesigner,AmirZaid,tellsofhis5years,designingFiats and Ferraris in Italy, and his subsequent return to Israel. Hetalks to us on Italian design, the Israeli defense establishment, thetotallydifferenttypeofvehiclehenowdesigns,andtheimportanceofestheticsevenonthebattlefield!READ MORE
Operations Room
Pictures of the Month
Personal Meeting
Challenges of the Moment
On the Agenda
IDF Events
TheOlivePickingseasonnowtakingplace inmuchof theBinyaminRegionalCommand of Judea andSamaria, has a tradition of beingthecause formuch frictionbetweenPalestiniansand Israelis.Everyeffort isbeing invested topass thisSeasonquietly.Our IDFwebsitecorrespondent accompaniesaReserveunit onpatrol andhears thecommand of the day being “ No tolerance for harmful damage toproperty”.READ MORE
• InanaccurateoperationaimedatpunishingkillersofIsraelis,theIDFdownedthetwoHamasterroristsinvolvedintheAugust31stdeadlyshootingattackofIsraelisattheBenniNaimjunction.Thesuccessfuloperationtookplacelastnight(Oct.8)inHebron.ThedeadterroristsincludedaseniorHamasoperative.READ MORE
• AhmadAlAshkar,asenior-rankingmemberofthe“PalestinianEagles”organization suspected of being in the advanced planning of anupcomingterrorattackagainstIsrael,waseliminatedbyaccurateIDFfirewhenhisvehiclewashitfromtheair.READ MORE
• TheIAFidentifiedandhitasquadofterroroperativesintheNorthernGazaStripduringpreparationstolaunchmissilesintoIsrael.
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• The IDF iscommitted toaidandassistancewherevernecessaryontheGlobe.TheIDFMedicalCorpsenjoysanedgeinprofessionalism,knowhowandexpertise.TheSearchandRescueUnitoftheHomeFrontservediligentlytosavelivesincountriesthatfindthemselvesinhumanitariancrisesandnaturaldisasters.Duringtheyearof2010theIDFrescueunitsassistedthepeopleof“Haiti”afterthemassiveearthquakethatstrokedtheisland.InadvancetheIDFrescueunitsassistedthepeopleofGujaratinIndia,andin2004,theIDFsentrescueforcestoassistthepeopleofSri-Lankaafterthetsunamihit.Attachedisaspecialreviewonthesubject.READ MORE
• TheMinistryofDefenseExecutiveDirectorsignedtheofficialpurchaseagreementonThursday(Oct.7th)inNewYork,wherebytheUSAwillprovideIsraelwithitsfirstF35Fightersquadron,totalingsome$2.75BillionThedealwasapprovedbyDefenseMinisterEhudBaraklastAugust.READ MORE
• Minister of Defense Ehud Barak has approved IDF Chief of StaffAshkenazi’srecommendationtoappointMaj.Gen.(res.)YairNavehasDeputyChiefofStaff.Navehwill thusreturntotheserviceandthusreplaceMaj.Gen.BennyGanzwhoisduetobedischarged.
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• Asoflastweek,theUAVunitSkyRiderhasgaineditsindependencefrom its former artillery mother unit. Its goal is to strengthen IDFintelligencegatheringcapabilities.READ MORE
• TheIDFhelditlargestevercommandersportingchampionships–over7600menandwomenofficerstookpartinthechampionshipswhichtookplaceTuesday(Oct.6th)ChiefofStaffLt.Gen.Ashkenaziscoredfourvictories.READ MORE
October 2010
IDF Spokesperson's Unit Public Affairs Branch
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October 2010
Terrorists Involved in Shooting Attack Killed
TheobjectiveoftheoperationwastoarrestthoseinvolvedintheterrorattackonAugust31st.Photo:IDFSpokesperson
ThetwoHamasterrorists involved intheAugust31stshootingattackwerekilled lastnight(Oct.8)duringamilitaryoperationinHebron
Overnight,ajointIDF-ISA-BorderPolicearrestoperationtookplaceinHebron.TheobjectiveoftheoperationwastoarrestthoseinvolvedintheterrorattackonAugust31st,2010inwhichfourIsraeliswerekilled:YizhakandTaliaAimes,AvishaiShindler,andKochbaEven-Chaim.
Duringtheoperation,thewantedterrorsuspectsopenedfireattheIDFforce,whichthenreturnedfireandidentifiedhittingoneofthesuspects.
Anothersuspecthidinabuildingwhichtheforcesurrounded,callingonhimtosurrender.Thesuspectrefusedtodosoandopenedfireattheforces.Duringtheexchangeoffire,forcesemployedengineeringtoolsinordertocausehimtoexitthebuilding.Theterroristwasultimatelykilled.
Inaddition,sixotherterrorsuspectswerearrestedandtransferredtothecustodyofsecurityforcesandanumberofAK-47assaultrifleswerediscovered.
FourIsraeliciviliansweremurderedAugust31st,2010whiledrivingintheirvehicleinaterroristdrive-byshootingattackonRoute60nearQiryatArba,eastofHebron.Twomenandtwowomen,oneofwhomwaspregnant,fromthenearbycommunityofBetHagay,werethevictimsofthisdeadlyattack.TheirnameswereYizhakandTaliaAimes,AvishaiShindlerandKochbaEven-Chaim.
Four Israeli civiliansweremurdered ina terroristdrive-byshootingattackAugust31st,2010whiledrivingintheirvehicleonRoute60nearQiryatArba,eastofHebron.Twomenandtwowomen,oneofwhomwaspregnant,fromthenearbycommunityofBetHagaywerethevictimsofthisdeadlyattack.TheirnameswereYizhakandTaliaAimes,AvishaiShindler,andKochbaEven-Chaim.
Names of Terrorists Killed During Tonight's IDF Operation
NashatKarmi-a33yearoldresidentofHebron,isaseniorHamasactivist.HasbeenoneoftheheadsofthemilitarywingofHamasinHebronandimprisonedinIsraelinthepast.HewasreleasedfromIsraeliprisononAugust2009,andreturnedtoterroractivityashortwhileafter.HehasbeendeclaredawantedsuspectsincetheterrorattackonAugust31st.
MammonNatsha-a24yearoldresidentofHebronwaspreviouslyarrestedin2008forhisactivityasamemberofHamas.
SincetheterrorattackonAugust31st,anumberofarrestsandinvestigationsoffacilitatorshavebeencarriedout.Duringtheseinvestigations, informationregardingplannedfutureterrorattacksandthere-establishmentoftheHamasmilitarywinginHebronwasrevealed.TheIDFwillcontinuetopursueterrororganizationsthatseektoendangerthelivesofIsraelicivilians.
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October 2010
Senior Terrorist Killed Thursday Night
AhmadAlAshkar,ahigh-rankingmemberofthe“PalestinianVultures”organization,wasplanninganupcomingterrorattackagainstIsrael
Ina joint IDF-ISAoperationonThursdaynight (Oct.7),an IAFaircraftstruck thecarinwhichahigh-rankingoperativeof the“PalestinianVultures”organization,AhmadAlAshkar,wasdriving.Adirecthitonthecarwasidentified.Accordingtointelligence,theorganizationwasplanningtoexecuteaterrorattackagainstIsraelinthecomingdays.
InajointIDF-ISAoperationlateWednesdaynight(Oct.6),IAFaircraftstrucktwoterrortargetsinthenorthernGazaStripinresponsetotherocketfirefromtheGazaStripaimedattheEshkolRegionalCouncil,adayearlier.
TheIDFwillnottolerateanyattempttoharmIsraelicitizensandwillcontinuetoactwithdeterminationandstrengthagainstterror.TheIDFholdsHamassolelyresponsibleforanyterroristactivityemanatingfromtheGazaStrip.
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October 2010
IAF Thwarts Rocket Launch Attempt by Terrorist Squad
Earlierthismorning,theIAFtargetedandidentifiedhittingasquadofterroroperativeswhowerepreparingtofirerocketsfromtheNorthernGazastripintoIsrael.
More than 165 rockets andmortars have been fired at Israeli territory since thebeginningof2010,andover440rocketswerefiredfromtheGazaStripintoIsraelsincetheendofOperationCastLead.
TheIDFremainscommittedtoprotectingthecitizensofIsraelandwillcontinuetoactagainstterror.TheIDFholdsHamassolelyresponsibleforterroremanatingfromtheGazaStrip.
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FromSportsCarstoIsrael’sDefense
TwothingsaboutAmirZaidareobviousatfirstglance:he’spassionateaboutcarsandreallyinterestedindesign.Onewasaconstantinfluenceonhislifealmostfromtheget-go:sincethelatenineties,attheendofhisstudies,heenteredtheworldofgraphicdesign.Wheninternetwasstillinitsinfancy,hewentfromstart-uptostart-upanddidgraphicdesignoncomputerscreens.Theworldofcars,hisrealpassion,remainedanunachieveddream.Infact,itwashistruepassionsincechildhood.“AlreadyatagefourIknewthenamesofeverycarinthestreet,”hesaid,“theymademecurious.Ilikedthem,Imissedthem.Butbecausethere’snoplaceforacareerinvehiclesinIsrael,Ihadtobepractical.Isettled,andcarswerepushedaside.”Andso,atage31,Amirwasatop-of-the-linegraphicdesigner,happilymarriedtoNoa,withanAlphaRomeocar,anapartmentandacatinBinyamina.Andonebrightdaythedecisionwasmade.“It’shardtoexplainwhatmademedoit,”hesaid,“butallofasuddenitwasclear–it’snowornever.SoIwentonlineandstartedthesearch.IfoundScuolaPolitecnicadiDesign,aschoolfordesigningcarsinMilan,whichofferedamaster’strackintwosemesters.TheysaidIcouldstartstudyingthereintwoweeks.IansweredthatIwouldbeveryhappytobutonlynextyear.SowewenttoItaly,traveled,checkeditout,fellinloveandreturned.Wetookayeartogetorganizedandpackedourlivesinboxes.Thenwemoved.”Thesymbiosisofdesign?“Itwasanexperiencelikenootherineveryway. First of all, it was a culture market.Thestudies,asexcitingastheywere,wereall in Italian. You quickly realize how newimmigrants feel,” Amir recalls. “It doesn’tmatter how intelligent you are, you arelostandyoustutter inaworld thatdoesn’tunderstand you. And you don’t alwaysunderstanditeither.TothisdayIdon’tknowwhat I learned insomeof thecourses,”hesaidandlaughed.“TheSymbiosisofDesign,forexample–Ihavenoidea.”“Asmallcomfortwasthatmostofthestudentswereforeigners.Theycamefromallovertheworld–England,Brazil,Australia,Greece,evenDubai.Butevenamongustherewerehugedifferences.Theprogramisforstudentswithbackgroundindesign,butwhatkindofbackgroundisanotherquestionalltogether.It’ssuperfluoustomentionthatthosewhodealtwithcardesignweredifferentfromthosewhodealtwithprintandgraphicdesign,likeme.”“TherewerepointswhenIwonderedforamoment if Imadeamistake.Ididn’tgotherejustfortheexperience,Ireallywantedtosucceed.Buttherewasanadvantagetomygeneralignorance.Thepeoplewhocamewithpreviousexperienceincardesignweremostlyfixedinandstuckonacertaintypeofthinking.Ihadtonsofroomtogrowandlearn,”hesaid.“Irememberbeingmesmerizedbysomeoftheprofessors,thrilledtobelearning.DuringtheyearIdevelopedabilitiesintherealmof3Dmodels.Whenwepresentedourfinalprojects,whichweredoneincollaborationwithLamborghini,oneoftheprofessionalcrewmembersofthecompanyapproachedmeandsaid‘yourmodelisthemostsensibleoneIsawhere’.Ididn’tgetajobofferrightaway,buttheyearendedwithafeelingofaccomplishment.Afeelingof‘Ididit.’”Therecession–likerealityTV
“Andthenyourstudiesend,andyoufindyourselfaloneintheworld.Thecardesignfieldisadifficultonetoworkin,especiallyforsomeonewhocomesfromtheoutside.It’sverysmall.Therearelotsofschools,manystudents,andveryfewpositions.ThebrandmodelAlphaRomeo,forexample,heldinitshey-day15designers.Thebiggestofcarmodels,Fiat,holdsbetween30and40positions.
“IconsideredworkingoutsideofItalyaswell,butinmyheartofheartsIwantedtostay.Thereissomethinginthe
October 2010
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characterofItalythatmakessenseforcardesign.Thecar,inasense,isareflectionoftheculture;andItaliancultureisfilledwithjoy,amazingopennessandapassionforlife.”Sohestayedanotherfiveyears.HebeganhisjourneyasanunpaidinternintheIdeadesignstudio,afterwardworkingatthePininfarinaantiquedesignhouse,consideredoneofthemostinfluentialinthehistoryofthevehicleandamongothersisresponsibleforalmosteverymodeloftheFerariwhichcameout.Thelongestperiodoftime,interruptedthoughitwas,wasspentatFiatandwasfullofcountlessprojects–fromcarstotractors.“Attimesitwasathrillingexperienceandatothersasadone,”hesaid.“Ononehand,Ireachedthetemple.Imademychildhooddreamcometrue.EspeciallyduringmytimeatFiat,Iworkedwithpeoplewhowereincrediblypassionateaboutthework.Evenifdesignswereputaside,therewasexcitementinthedesigningprocess.”Ultimately,whatendedhisItalianadventurewastheeconomicrecession.“Ithappenedinstages.Towardtheyear2009,lifebecametoostressful.Carmakerswerecaughtinthedesperationofthesituation.ItwaslikebeingonrealityTV.Westartedoutaseightdesigners,andthenweweresix,andthenfour.Attheendwegottheemailthatsaidtheprogramisbeingfrozen.Wethoughtalotaboutwheretogofromhere.Mywife,Noa,waspregnant.IntheendwedecidedtoreturntoIsrael.”WhenFerarimeetsthearmedvehicle
InIsrael,aswasmentioned,thereisnojobmarketforcardesigning.Whatwehave,despitethat,isahugedefensemarket.Itwasfromtherethatanadventureofanothertypeentirelybegan.
“WhilestillinItaly,IunderstoodthatifIcomeback,Iwouldworkinthedefenseindustry.Iwantedtokeepdesigningvehicles,todowhatI’mgoodatinIsrael,too.And,whatcanyoudo,realbudgetsherelieindefense.”
Sohebegandesigning.AmongtheprojectsAmirworkedoninthelastyearareattackvehicles,controlroomsandotherobjects.Youcan’ttalkaboutmostofthemindetail.Buthereisanexample:introducingthe“Solitaire”.
InthepastmonthsAmircameintocontactwithTamidPorat,aguruinthefieldofsecuritydesign,whoiscreditedamongotherprojectswithdesigningtheTavorrifle.Thefirstfruitoftheircollaborativelaborsistheautonomous“Solitaire”vehicle,asurveyingrobot.ItisbuiltontheexistingmodeloftheArgovehicle(“asortofbathtubonsixwheels”Amirsaid),andallowsforgreatmovementindifficultterrains,useofcommunicationsystemsandfilmingabilitiesincludingadvancedopticssuchasnightvisionandheat-activatedvision.
Aboutdesignandtheabilitytofunction
“WorkingontheSolitairewasanexcitingexperience,”Amirsaid.“itwasoneofthosetimesyoufeel–Ihitsomethinghere.Idesignedsomethingright.Intheend,despiteallthedifferences,therearealotofsimilaritiesbetweenworkonsportscarsandworkonsecurityobjects.Inbothcasestheproducthastobecomfortabletooperateanddesignedinawaythatconveystherightmessage.”
“Thefirstthoughtthatcomestomindwhenyousay‘roboticvehicle’,”heexplains,“issomethingfromsciencefiction.Hugecars,complexity,somethingthatlookslikeAvatar.Butthetruthisit’stheopposite.Asecurityvehiclehasapurpose.Oftenthereisnotimetotestitandgetusedtoit,ithastoworkrightaway.Sothereisnoplacefordecoration.Everythinghastobesharpandsimple.
“Withthat,thedesigniscritical.Alotofpeopledon’tunderstandtheimportanceoftherightdesign,especiallyinthiscountry.It’seasytothinkweliveinarealitywheretherearemorepressingmattersthanaesthetics.Butifthevehicledoesn’tgiveasenseofstrength,ifyoulookatitanddon’tgetrightawaythatitspurposeissecurity,somethingismissing.Conveyingtherightmessagecreatesthebasisforrightaction.
“It’snotaneasythingtodo,mostofthedesignsultimatelygetstoredaway.Butwhenyouareabletocreateanexactdesign,thereisastrongsensethatyoumadesomethingcrucial.Itgivesyouthefueltokeepgoing.”
October 2010
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October 2010
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AnOliveBranchofPeace
IDF iscurrentlyworkingwithPalestinians in theJudeaandSamaria region toensure that thisyear'soliveharvestwillbesuccessfulandpeaceful
"SabahelHir",said theBattalionCommander,wishingagoodmorning inArabic. "SabahElNur,"hewasansweredwithasmile.ThemorningisjustdawningandforcesarespreadthroughouttheTalmonvillages.Between theunendinggreenhillsarehidden theolivegroves. Awomanwearinga redveil smilesat thesoldierswhilecarryingthepurpleoliveswhichshehasjustpickedfromatree.ThisistheseasonfortheoliveharvestintheJudeaandSamariaregion.TheharvestbeganthismonthandisexpectedtolastuntilDecember.
Ironically,overtheyearstheolivebranchhasbecomeamediaattention-grabbingsourceoffriction.Theoliveorchards,amainsourceofincomeformanyPalestiniansintheJudeaandSamariaregion,areattheheartofexplosivedebatesinclashesbetweenPalestinianandIsraeliresidentsthere.
Themilitaryforcesthroughouttheareaduringthesemonthsarestationedtheretomaintainasenseofcalmandtoprotectthenormalfabricoflifeintheregion."Themissionoftheforcesistoprotectthosewholivehereandtoensurethattheharvestiscarriedoutinacalm,flowingandstablemanner,"Lt.Col.(res.)AssafEliyahu,theCommanderofthePatrollingBattalionoftheCarmeliReservesBrigadetoldhissoldiersontheeveningbeforetheywentonduty.
Thefollowingmorningheguardedtheorchardswithhisadvancecommandteam."Werethereanyargumentsbetweenthegroups?"heaskshisreservists."Everythingwasquiet"theyrespond.Lt.Col.Eliyahucontinueson towards theorchardsandasks theharvesters influentArabichoweverything is. "Everything iscalm. Icametopickolivesuntilfouro'clock.Thesoldiersarefineandsoaretheresidents,"thePalestinianharvesteranswered.Hecontinuestoexplainaboutthisyear'sharvestandaboutthegrowthinthisyear'scrop,evenexplainingthespecificolivesthatheisharvestingtothesoldiers.
Therelativequietintheregionisquiteencouraging.Thisyear,inthemajorityoflocationstherewasnoneedforcoordinationofharvestingtimesbetweenthevariousrelevantbodies.TheinternationalandIsraeliorganizationswhichcometoassistwiththeworkcoordinatetheiractivitieswiththeCivilAdministrationandtheIDFrecognizestheirdesiretohelpthePalestinianharvest.
"Thereisnotolerancefordamage.Thereisnopreferredtreatment"
Theharvesthasindeedbegunpeacefully,despiteanumberofissueswhichwereraisedbetweenPalestiniansandIsraeliinthearea.ThevillagesofJ'ith,FarataandSra,andthetownsofHavatGilad,AlonMorehandGivatRonenwerethelocationsofanumberofviolentincidents."Ibelievethattheissuewascreatedessentiallyduetoprovocation.Itisatrendinrecentyears,"Maj.(res.)YisraelShayklerpointedout."Alittlewhilebacktherewasacomplaintbyoneofthetownsregardingharvestersarrivingatanundesignatedtime.WearrivedandletthePalestinianscontinue.Weunderstandthatpeopleleaveworkandschoolforthisharvest.Weletthemfinish.Ofcoursetherewereotherincidents,buttheyarequiterare,andusuallytheytooweresolvedcalmlywithouttoomuchconfrontation."
Thereservesforcescurrentlyintheareaknowhowtodealwithsuchrareincidentscalmlyandmaturely.Thatbeingsaid,thispopulationdemographicistreatednotonlyduringtheharvest."Whilestillinregularcompulsoryservice,thecommandersclarifythatfirstandforemostyouareahumanandonlyafterwardsyouareasoldier,"oneofthereservistsexplains."ThePalestiniansarepeoplelikeusandtheIDFemphasizesthatwemusttreatthemaccordingly.Ifthereareotherincidents,theyaretheexceptiontotherule."
Cpt.(res.)DuduRavivoisalready52yearsoldandvolunteersinreserves.Hetookpartinmanywidespreadoperationalactivitiesduringhisservice."Itwasanationalmotif.Theolivesignifiessomething,"hesays."Becauseofthemediafocustherearemanymoredisruptionsduringtheharvestperiod.Inrecentyearsthedirectivesarestricterthaninthepast.Thesoldierisgivenclearorders.Thereisnotoleranceforanydamagecausedtoanyone.Ourbattalionisatthehighestlevelofcommandandwefirstandforemostplacethegreatestemphasisonprofessionalism.Thereisnopreferredtreatmenttoeitherside."
TheHeadReservesOfficer,Brig.Gen.ShukiBen-Anat,arrived tovisit thePatrollingBattalionof theCarmeliReservesBrigadeatwork.Hespoke to IDFWesbite,describing the training that reservistsmustundergo toworkwith thecivilianPalestinianpopulation."Areservistissomeonewhohasexperiencedlife.Hehasclearthoughtsandgoodjudgmentandhecandealwithfriction.Thereisanadvantagetohavingmaturityandexperience."
October 2010
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October 2010
ThevaluesofresponsibilityandhavingamissionguidingtheIsraelDefenseForce,manifestationsofthespiritoftheIDF,directitssoldiersandofficersalsoonmissionsfarfromhome.Theknowledge,professionalism,operationalexperienceandskillsoftheMedicalCorpsandtheSearchandRescueUnitoftheHomeFrontCommandareusedtosavelivesincountriesundergoinghumanitariancrisesandnaturaldisasters.TheStateofIsraelcomestotheassistanceofnationslargeandsmall,richandpoor.TheuniquehallmarkofIsraelimissionsliesintheirprofessionalism,richexperienceaccruedovermanyyearsanddedication,whoserootsarefoundinthespiritandvaluescharacterizingtheIDF.ThisoverviewpresentsinbriefsomeoftheimportantmissionsinwhichtheMedicalCorpsandtheSearchandRescueUnitparticipated:extractingpeoplecaughtinruins,rapidlyconstructingfieldhospitals,undertakingcomplexsurgeriesandassistingindifficultbirthsinthefield,andsupplyingmedicationandmedicalequipment.ThesemissionshavegeneratedagreatdealofwonderandadmirationonthepartofinternationalprofessionalorganizationsaswellasprideinthepeopleofIsraelandJewsallovertheworld.
.
MexicoCity,1985OnSeptember19,1985,twotremendousearthquakesshookMexicoCityandleftmassivedestructionandthousandsofinjuriesandpeopletrappedunderrubbleintheirwake.AdelegationcomprisedoftheIDFSearchandRescueUnitequippedwithdozensoftonsofmedicalandhumanitarianequipmentwasspeedilydispatchedtothedisasterzone:medication,tents,rescueequipment,expertsfromtheSearchandRescueUnitandmedicalteamsfromtheMedicalCorps.Thoseinvolvedearnedwidespreadinternationalrespectandadmiration.
IDF Teams Provide Help in Disaster Zones
The IDF mission to Haiti, 2010
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Armenia,1988OnDecember7,1988,apowerfulearthquakestruckArmenia,leavingtensofthousandsdeadandinjuredandmanymorehomeless.Searchandrescueteamsaswellasafieldhospital,courtesyoftheMedicalCorps,weredispatched;thesewerebeefedupthankstomedicalexpertscalledintoreserveduty,includingexpertsinpediatrics,intensivecareandobstetrics.TheIsraelisearchandrescueteamsandmedicalpersonnelhelpedsavemanylives.
Turkey,1999AnIDFdelegationcomprisedof theSearchandRescueUnitof theHomeFrontCommandandmedical teamsfromtheMedicalCorpswassenttoTurkeyinthewakeofanearthquake,measuring7.8ontheRichterScale,thatstruckinAugust1999.Morethan40,000peoplelosttheirlivesand27,000wereinjured.Allnightlong,theIsraeliteamunpackeditsequipmentand48hoursafterthedisasterstruckafieldhospitalhadbeenerectedinthecityofAdafasi.Overthenexttwoweeks,thehospitalwouldtakein1,200injured;itsoperatingroomswouldcarryout46emergencysurgeries;andthedeliveryroomwouldbring15newbornsintotheworld.
India,2001InJanuary2001anearthquakestruckGujarat,India,leavingtensofthousandsofpeopleinjured.TheStateofIsraelwasamongthefirstnationstorespondwithanofferofhumanitarianassistanceafteritbecameclearthatthelocalmedicalsystemhadbeenbadlyaffected.TheIDFendeduperectingafieldhospitalinthecityofBhuj.Duringthetwoweeksinwhichthefieldhospitaloperated,over1,200patientsweretreatedthere,127peoplewerehospitalized,54surgerieswerecarriedout,and13birthswereattended.
SriLanka,2004AttheendofDecember2004,amassiveearthquakestrucktheIndianOcean,generatinglethaltsunamisthatfloodedanddestroyedwidespreadareasinSoutheastAsia.
TheIsraelisearchandrescueteamleftforSriLankaassoonaswordofthedisasterspread.ThedelegationincludedtheheadoftheTraumaCenteroftheChiefMedicalOfficer’sCommandaswellasthreephysiciansfromHadassahHospital,arepresentativefromtheHomeFrontCommandandarepresentativefromIsrael’sMinistryofForeignAffairs.Inconjunctionwiththesearchandrescueforce,itwasdecidedthatIsraelwouldsendassistanceintheformofequipmentonly,despitethefactthatalargemedicalcontingentwaswaitingatBen-GurionInternationalAirportforaflighttothedisasterzone.Tocomplywiththisrequest,largeamountsofmedicalequipmentfromtheMedicalCorps’warehouses,logisticalsuppliesandfoodweresent,alongwithmentalhealthprofessionalsfromtheMinistryofHealth,includingtheheadoftheIDF’smentalhealthservices.
October 2010
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Haiti,2010ThemostrecenteventthatoccasionedthesendingofahumanitarianmissionwastheearthquakethatstruckHaiti.Inthewakeoftheearthquake,whichmeasured7.3ontheRichterScale,adelegationleftfortheCaribbeanonJanuary14,2010.Thedisasterthatstruckthetinynationwasoverwhelming.Manyinfrastructurescollapsed,hundredsofthousandsofHaitianswereinjured,killed,ortrappedundertherubbleofcollapsedbuildings.
ManynationsaroundtheworldstartedsendinghumanitarianassistancetoHaiti,includingIsrael,whichdecidedtosendanIsraelimilitarymission.TheHomeFrontCommandandtheMedicalCorpswerechosentoleadthedelegationbecauseoftheirexperienceandprovenabilitiesinthisfield.Withinamere8hours,theIsraelimedicaldelegationhaderectedthelargestfieldhospitalservingthevictimsofthedisaster;it startedacceptingpatients theminute itwascomplete. In thefirstdaysof thedisaster, the IDFhospitalwas themostadvancedhospitaloperatingonHaitiansoil.1,111peopleweretreatedatthehospital;317surgerieswerecarriedout;and16infantscameintotheworldthere.WarsandCrisesRwanda,1994Asa resultof theblood-drenchedcivilwarbetween theHutusand theTutsis,millionsof refugeesmassed in temporaryrefugeecampsinthecountriesborderingRwanda.DuringthenightofJuly23,1994,anairbornedelegationofSoldiersWithoutBordersfromtheMedicalCorpsleftIsraelforZaireinordertohelpRwandanrefugeeswhoseliveswereendangered.Thedelegation,whicharrivedinthreerounds,included270medicalprofessionals(soldiersandofficer)andvastamountsofmedicalequipment,foodandclothing.TheMedicalCorpsdeployedafieldhospital that includedanemergency room,anoperating roomandan ICU, therebyextendinglife-savingmedicalandhumanitarianhelptotherefugees.Thankstothisactivity,thespreadingcholeraepidemicwasbroughtundercontrolwithinamonth.
Kosovo,1999OnApril6,1999,theLifeRingmissionof60professionalsheadedbytheMedicalCorpsleftIsraeltoextendassistancetotheAlbanianrefugeesinKosovo.InthecityofSkopje,theMacedoniancapital,themissiondeployedafieldhospitalwith100beds,operatedbyexpertsininternalmedicine,pediatrics,epidemiologyand infectiousdiseases,orthopedicsandgynecology,aswellasparamedics,nurses,medicsandX-raytechnicians.Thehospitalalsoincludedamedicallab,pharmacyandoperatingroom.TheIDFearnedhighpraisefromtheNATOcommand,theU.N.andthelocalMacedonianpopulationforthisactivity.TerrorismArgentina,1994OnJuly19,1994,acarbombrockedtheJewishcommunitybuildinginBuenosAires.Hundredsofpeoplelosttheirlivesorweremaimedintheexplosion,andmanywereburiedliveundertherubble.IsraeldispatchedasearchandrescuemissiontoArgentina;itincludeddozensofphysicians,officersandsoldierswhosejobwastohelpinthesearchefforts,savelivesandprovidemedicaltreatment.
Kenya,2002InNovember2002,alethalterroristattackwascarriedoutinMombasa,Kenya,wherelargegroupsofIsraelitouristswereonholiday.AmissionoftheMedicalCorps,headedbythedeputytotheChiefMedicalOfficeroftheIDF,arrivedonthescenetohelpmovethevictimstoIsraelforfurthermedicaltreatment.16peoplewerekilledinthisattack,including3Israelis;70tourists,including17Israelis,wereinjured
October 2010
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October 2010
FinalAgreementSignedforthePurchaseofF-35Fighters
Thedeal,approvedbyDefenseMinisterEhudBaraklastAugust,wassignedonThursday(Oct.7)inNewYork.
Itisofficiallyconfirmed:attheceremonyheldonThursday(Oct.7)inNewYork,theCEOoftheDefenseMinistry,Maj.Gen.(res.)UdiShani,signedtheagreementbetweenIsraelandtheUSfortheIDFpurchaseofthefirstoperationalsquadronofF-35aircraftsforanamountof$2.75billion.
Thedeliveryoftheaircrafts,costing$96millioneach,isscheduledtobeginin2015andshouldlasttwoyears.Theagreementwassigneduponapprovalbythegovernment,theKnessetandtheMinistryofDefense.
“ThisisahistoriceventandanewerainIsrael’ssecurityandstrategicstrengthwhichwillallowIsraeltomaintainitsmilitaryqualitativeedgeinordertocopewiththechallengesbothnearandfarformanyyears;thedealalsoholdstremendousimportance for the national economy through the manufacturer’s commitment to purchase billions of dollars worth ofequipmentfromIsraeliindustries”,theCEOoftheDefenseMinistrysaidduringtheconference.
ShaniaddedthatitisIsrael’sintentiontoacquiremoreaircraftsofthistype.“Wehaveanoptiontopurchasemoreaircrafts”,henoted,addingthat“thedeal isanadditionalexpressionofthestrategicallianceandofourfriendlyrelationswiththeUnitedStates,andoftheirsupportoftheIsraeliqualitativeedge”.
TheF-35LightningistheStealthfighterjetproducedbytheAmericanLockheedMartincompany,andisconsideredtobethemostadvancedfighterjetdevelopedintheworldtoday.Itisaplanesuitableforanextensivescopeofmissions,intendedbothforattackandinterception,whosedevelopmentbeganin2003inajointinitiativebytheUSandtheUK.a
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October 2010
NextDeputyChiefoftheGeneralStaff:Maj.Gen.(res.)YairNaveh
Maj.Gen.(res.)YairNavehhasbeenofficiallyapprovedfortheroleofDeputyChiefoftheGeneralStaff
MinisterofDefense,EhudBarak,approvedtherecommendationbytheChiefoftheGeneralStaff,Lt.Gen.GabiAshkenazi,toappointMaj.Gen.(res.)YairNavehfortheroleofDeputyChiefoftheGeneralStaff.
Maj.Gen.(res.)NavehwillreturntoserviceandbeginthepositionofDeputyChiefoftheGeneralStaffinthecomingweeksreplacingMaj.Gen.BeniGantzwhowillresignfromhisserviceintheIDF.TheappointmentofMaj.Gen.(res.)NavehwasdoneatthesuggestionofthefutureChiefoftheGeneralStaff,Maj.Gen.YoavGalant.
Maj.Gen.YairNavehwasbornintheyear1957andwasdraftedin1975totheGolaniBrigade.Overtheyearsheservedinmanyhighrankingrolesinthebrigade,fromCompanyCommandertoBrigadeCommander.
In2003,asaMajorGeneral,hewasappointedCommanderofIDFHomeFrontCommand.Heservedinthispositionuntil2004,afterwhichhewasappointedCommanderofGOCArmyHeadquarters,apositionhehelduntil2007whenheretiredfromtheIDF.Maj.Gen.Navehhasabachelor’sdegreeinHistoryandPoliticalScienceandamaster’sdegreeinBusinessManagement.HegraduatedfromtheCollegeforNationalSecuritywithhonorsandfromtheSchoolforCommand.Heismarriedandafatheroffour.
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October 2010
TheRochevHashamayimUnit’sNewIndependenceAsoflastweek,theUAVunitRochevHashamayimgaineditsindependence,itsgoalofstrengtheningIDFintelligencegatheringwellontheway
It’sofficial:onOctober10th,thenewunitRochevHashamayimwasdeclaredcompletelyindependent.Ataceremonyheld for theoccasionattended,amongothers,byGOCArmyHeadquartersCommander,Maj.Gen.SamiTurgeman,andPalmachimIAFbaseCommander,Brig.Gen.ItayReiss,theunit’snewsymbolwasrevealed:awingedhorsewithaswordinthebackground.
Thusfar,theRochevHashamayimBattalionwassubordinatetotheArtilleryCorps’UAVunitbutwillnowbeanindependentbattalionineveryrespect.Inthecomingyear,theunitisexpectedtobetransferredfromthePalmachimairbasetoitspermanentlocationatbaseJulis.
“RochevHashamayim’s function is toequip the regimentcommanderandothercommanderswithvideo recordings”,explainedLt.EliyahKeffah,DeputyCommanderof theOperationalCompany in theRochevHashamayimunit. “Theteamsaretrainedforvariousmissions,withthegoalofencouragingtheenlistmentofmanymoresoldiers.”
SoldierslearntooperatetheElbitcompany’sUAVsandarethusabletoprovideanupdatedsnapshotofthebattlefieldatanymoment.Thetinyplainsflyabovethesoldiers’heads,theircamerasbroadcastingimagestothosedecipheringfootageonland.
Aspecialon-landteamprogramstheflyingobject,settingitsroutebeforeitstakeoff,ifnecessaryalsobeingabletoenditsflightmidair.Thehopeisinthefuture,arepresentativeteamfromRochevHashamayimwilljoineachinfantrybattalion,itspurposetoimprovetheIDF’sintelligencegatheringabilities.
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October 2010
IDFCommanders’ChampionshipDay
TheannualCommanders’ChampionshipDaywasheldonTuesday(Oct.6);ChiefofStaffLt.Gen.Ashkenaziscoredfourgoals
The2010IDFCommanders’ChampionshipendedonTuesdayafternoon(Oct.6)withthemaineventbeingasoccermatchbetweentheGeneralStaffteamandtheMaccabiHaifateam,attheWingateInstitute.Thetensematch,characterizedbyremarkableskillsfrombothteams,endedina4:4tie.
TheGeneralStaff teamwas ledbytheChiefof theGeneralStaffLt.Gen.GabiAshkenazi,whowasassistedbyformerprofessionalplayerEyalBerkovic.ThefirsthalfstartedwithasavefortheGeneralStaffteambyGOCHomeFrontCommand,Maj.Gen.YairGolan,theteam’sgoalkeeper.AfterMaccabiHaifascoredthefirstgoal,Lt.Gen.Ashkenazimanagedtosavehisteam’shonorandalsoscoredagoal.
AfterMaccabiHaifa’ssecondgoal,Lt.Gen.Ashkenaziscoredasecondgoal,butthe2:2tiewouldn’tlastmorethantwominutes,whenathirdgoalwasscoredforMaccabiHaifa.Laterinthegame,theChiefofStaffscoredtwoadditionalgoals,oneofthemafteragreatplaybyGOCSouthernCommandMaj.Gen.YoavGalant.Butthejoyofvictorywaspremature,asMaccabiHaifamanagedtoscoreoncemoreontheGeneralStaffgoalie,resultingina4:4tie.
TheIDFandthecommanderstakefitnessseriously
Over7,000maleandfemaleofficersparticipatedintheIDFcombatfitnesscompetitionsduringtheCommandersChampionshipwhichhasbeenheldnowforseveralyearsandconstitutestheflagshipeventoftheGroundForces’CombatFitnessDivision,designedforimprovingthephysicalfitnessandhealthofcareerpersonnel.
TheHeadof theCombatFitnessDivision,Col.Dr.AviMoyal told IDFWebsite before the competitions that “this is thefulfillmentofadream.Theimprovementsbeingundertakeninthisfieldbythearmyareunparalleledintheworld.Weviewthisdayasapivotaleventoftheyear.ItwarmsthehearttoseethattheIDFanditscommandersaretakingtheissueoffitnessseriously”.
TeamsofofficersfromalltheIDFunitshadbeentrainingfortheeventforthepastfewmonthsandparticipatedinthevariouscompetitions includinganendurance race,anavigation race, swimming, football, basketball, beachvolleyball,mountainbiking,tabletennisandmore.
Attheendoftheceremony,trophieswereawardedtothewinnersofthevariouscompetitionsbytheChiefofGeneralStaffalongwiththeCommanderoftheGroundForces,Maj.Gen.ShlomoTurgemon,ChiefInfantryandParatrooperOfficer,Brig.Gen.YossiBacharandHeadoftheCombatFitnessDivision,Col.Dr.AviMoyal.
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