Current Security situation in Israel

Dear Parents,

Firstly i would like to wish everyone a happy new year, and i hope that 2009 has thus far been healthy and safe for all of you. I wanted to address some concerns in regards to the current security guidelines of the program, in light of the ongoing operation of the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza.

There are 4 concerns in regards to the new security guidelines that have been issued by the Israel Experience, and the guidelines reflect responses to these general topics:

1 - The firing of rockets from Gaza into the southern region of Israel.
2 - Demonstrations in the Arab sector of Israel, specifically in East Jerusalem and some northern areas.
3 - Warnings from Hamas of terrorist attacks within Israel.
4 - The possibility of a northern attack from the Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Israel experience has certified a number of newer security warnings, as well as re-iterated a number of pre-existing warnings from the beginning of the program, to ensure that participants comply with those warnings at this time. The current security guidelines, in regards to potential risks, are as follows:

- Chanichim are not allowed within a 40km radius of the Gaza Strip. This area extends from Yavne to the west to Gedera in the east, and curves around south to Beer-Sheva. Travel to the south can be done via Road 6 until Kama Intersection, and then bypassing Beer-Sheva via the Arad road.

- No entrance to Arab villages in the North, including the Old City of Acco. Druze Hospitality is allowed in the Carmel region.

- No travel along Road 90 North (from Almog Junction to Beit Shean) or Road 1 West (Jerusalem to Almog Junction) after nightfall.
This is a guideline which has been in place since the beginning of the program. We do not currently allow any travel on this part of Road 90 or Road 1 West.

- East Jerusalem and the Old City: No travel to the Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, as stipulated in the beginning of the program. Entry to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is via the Zion Gate only. No visiting to the Kotel on Fridays between 11:00-14:00 (again, this guideline has been in place since the beginning of workshop, due to infrequent examples of tension at the kotel during these times).

- Participants should not go to the malls in the following cities: Netanya, Kfar Saba, Hadera, Raanana, Petach Tikva. There has been no specific warning in regards to attacks, but there is a precautionary warning against malls in these cities.

- Participants should not travel to the Tel-Aviv boardwalk, between the Dolphinarium and 'Sites Square'. after the hours of 10pm.

I also wanted to explain some of the processes that the program is taking to ensure that the participants don't put themselves into a situation that could present possible risk or danger.

- All participants must be in contact with their madrichim (counselors) DAILY, by telephone. The madrichim have outlines of travel plans for all of the participants, so any potential risks need to be changed by the participants, at the discretion of the program co-ordinators in conjunction with the security guidelines. In addition, all changes in the participants' plans must be confirmed with their madrichim.

- The madrichim are contactable 24 hours through the day, and we are also insisting that the participants keep their phones ON for 24 hours, so that they are contactable if situations or security guidelines change.

- In regards to the warning on the Old city of Akko - up to this point there have been no reported incidents of tension or violence in the area, and the warnings are precautionary.

- In the case that the range of rockets extends closer to the centre of the country, specifically closer to the Kaveret house for the British group in Holon, we will assess the situation and move them to a more secure location temporarily. At this point in time, there is no indication that that will eventuate.

I understand any concerns you may have had over the past week in regards to the security situation in Israel, and i hope that these guidelines have given all of you a better understanding as to the extent of our security monitoring of the program through the Israel Experience. I will post any changes to the security situation in Israel as early as i can in the coming days, and as i receive them. I am attaching two maps of the security buffer zone surrounding Gaza at this time, to give you an idea of the 'No Go' Zone at this point in time.

A map from Homefront Command outlining areas which have guidelines
places on them surrounding Gaza

A map roughly outlining the restricted area for program participants

I hope that these outlines have given you a better idea of what the current situation is in Israel, and the extent of the security guidelines that we are making on the program. If you have any further questions or concerns, be in contact with Ilan Scorah, and he can forward on to me any further queries, which I would be happy to address.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.

Regards,
Leon Schneider
HDUK Shnat Co-ordinator