May 2011

Pictures of the Month

Operations Room
• Hundreds of Foreign citizens attempted at running the borders
with Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip to mark the Palestinian
Nakba coinciding with Israel’s Independence Day - Various
violent hotspots also erupted in Samaria and Judea. The Chief
of Staff instructed a greater alertness and ordered the immediate
repair of the Border Fence. READ MORE
• Golan Brigade commander: Infiltration of Syrians was no
surprise to us - Col. Eshkol Shukrun, who commanded over the
response to provocations on Israel's northern borders and was
even slightly injured during activity, explains that the IDF responded
with balanced measure. “We were prepared for the eventuality of
people climbing the fences as well” he said. READ MORE
• C
‫ ‏‬hief of Staff: IDF preparing for September events - Lt. Gen.
Benny Gantz has ordered the IDF to maintain high alert due to
threat of attacks on civilian and military targets. READ MORE

One on One
• In coming years we will call upon reserves no less‭, ‬even
more - Deputy Chief of the General Staff‭, ‬M aj‭. ‬G en‭. ‬Yair Naveh‭,
‬d ecided that the IDF is not going to give up on its reserves‭. ‬I n
an interview during appreciation week for reserves he explained
what the IDF's difficulties in the future. READ MORE

Challenges of the Moment

• The next generation of Combat 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. READ MORE
• I‫‏‬DF reduces annual fuel consumption by 13 percent - the IDF
has 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. READ MORE

On the Agenda
• U
‫ ‏‬NRWA spokesperson, “The IDF has a right and duty to protect
its citizens” - He talks about UNRWA’s activities in the Gaza Strip
and the West Bank. He stresses that the cooperation between the
IDF and his organization is productive and positive. READ MORE
• Representative of the International Red Cross in the Gaza
Strip – “There is no Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip”.
READ MORE
• The IDF assists the work of Human Rights’ Organizations.
READ MORE

IDF Events
• I‫‏‬AF's firefighting squadron named after fallen volunteer - The
new squadron operates 7 powerful fire 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 firefighting at any given moment. READ MORE
• Israel’s President Shimon Peres granted citations to 120
outstanding officers and NCO’s for their exemplary performance
during their service in the IDF - “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 Israel’s
Memorial Day, the Chief of Staff Benny Gantz was quoted- Those
we lost remain with us in the Spirit of the IDF”. READ MORE
IDF Spokesperson's Unit Public Affairs Branch

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Chief of staff orders northern border fence to be fixed

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 fence
on the border with Syria and Lebanon,
which were caused during the riots.

Northern Region:

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 violence or provocation
towards Israel that emanates from their respective territories. 

Central Region:

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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Southern Region:

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 the
direction, 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.

Watch the Video - The riots in Qalandiya

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‫‏‬Golan Brigade commander: Infiltration of Syrians did not surprise

"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 the
border 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.
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‫‏‬Chief of Staff: IDF preparing for September events

‫ ‏‬hief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz
C
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 occur
that month to stage violent and provacative
demonstrations.

‫ ‏‬t. Gen. Gantz instructed commanders to

L
prepare for violent disturbances and to maintain
a high level of alert due to the threat of attacks
on civilian and military targets.

‫ ‏‬ollowing the events of "Nakba Day" earlier this month, Lt. Gen. Gantz ordered the IDF to prepare
F
for similar incidents.
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In coming years we will call upon reserves no less‭, ‬even more

Deputy Chief of Staff‭, ‬M aj‭. ‬G en‭. ‬Yair Naveh‭,
‬s pent the three previous weeks dedicated
to appreciation of IDF reserve soldiers and
commanders as a civilian‭. ‬I t was a time in which
instructions on the field were turned to travel and
rest‭, ‬long days of operational commands turned
to a civilian career and baked goods at General
Staff meetings became family meals‭. ‬B ut just
as Naveh was getting used to civilian button-up
shirts‭, ‬h is grace period was cut short and he was
called back to the lines of duty‭. ‬Today‭, ‬a gain
in uniform‭, ‬a nyone who looks at him will think
that stay in life in the reserves has long been
forgotten‭, ‬b ut the truth is it follows everywhere.

"‭ ‬T he three years in civilian life helped me gain a bit of a different understanding of the army‭, " ‬h e
says‭. "‬I f you think about it‭, ‬t oday there is greater equality between soldiers in their regular service
and reserve soldiers‭, ‬a nd the quality of service even more favorable on the side of the reserves
because of experience‭, ‬m aturity and years in civilian life which create a more balanced perspective‭.
‬I n the end‭, ‬r eserve duty is the real service period‭, ‬a nd civilian life brought balance to the way I look
at gray areas‭, ‬a life of alternatives and various prices to pay‭. ‬T here's nothing more to say except
the world of reserves was‭, ‬is and will be for many years the heart of the IDF‭. "‬

Equipped with lessons learned from reserve service‭, ‬M aj‭. ‬G en‭. ‬N aveh entered the number two
position in the IDF six months ago and was immediately thrown into a packed period saturated
with ups and downs‭. ‬I t began with small riots in Tunisia but soon turned into a tornado going wild
in Middle Eastern countries‭, ‬b oth near and far‭, ‬w hich gave the General Staff no choice but to go
into a state of alert‭. "‬L ately we've finished strategic and intelligence preparations for the following
year's plans‭, ‬a nd there is no doubt that in the next years the only sure thing is that we're not sure
of anything‭, " ‬s ays the Deputy Chief of Staff‭. "‬We are entering a period in which we will have more
question marks than exclamation points‭. "‬

One of the processes likely to bring about a change‭, ‬in Naveh's opinion‭, ‬is the Palestinian's growing
effort to announce an independent Palestinian state‭. "‬We know how we are entering September‭,
‬w hich is right around the corner‭, ‬b ut it's unclear what will happen after and what it will mean‭, " ‬h e
says‭. "‬I t could be violent‭, ‬it could be a one-sided announcement‭, ‬t hey could try to go to the UN‭
- ‬in any case‭, ‬it is clear that the coming period will take us to a different security and contractual
reality‭. ‬O r to a period of intifada and chaos‭, ‬o r to something in the middle‭. "‬

Neighboring countries‭, ‬t oo‭, ‬d on't calm Naveh's nerves‭. ‬A side from the Iranian threat constantly
humming in our ear‭ ("‬t hey are very close to having nuclear weapons and there are many things
that are still unclear‭. ‬I t's a huge‭, ‬d ramatic question mark for the existence of the State of Israel‭" ),
‬a s in the opinion of the Deputy Chief of Staff these immediate threats come from the countries
surrounding Israel‭. ‬F or five years‭, ‬t he northern front‭, ‬f or example‭, ‬h as been quiet‭. ‬B ut the IDF is
afraid of a government vacuum that will enable an outbreak‭. ‬

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"‬S yria is a country of minorities‭, ‬a nd if Assad is weakened it can split and turn into a terror front‭, "
‬h e says‭. "‬I n Lebanon‭, ‬t oo‭, ‬t hings aren't certain‭, ‬w e know Hezbollah has reached an optimum point
of 60,000‭‬b arrels of rockets against Israel and its capabilities are only growing‭. ‬We are certain that
a peace agreement with Egypt will continue‭, ‬b ut 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, ‬w hich makes
it easer for smuggling‭, ‬c riminal activity and terrorism‭. " ‬

Ultimately‭, ‬s ays Naveh‭, ‬t his instability will have a direct effect on reserve duty‭, ‬b oth if it means a
change in the law of reserves‭, ‬w hich limits the number of days reserve soldiers can serve in active
reserve duty‭. "‬T hough it is relatively quiet‭, ‬w e are in the eye of the storm‭, ‬a nd in this kind of period
the most important thing the IDF needs in order to remain loyal to its job is to be ready‭, " ‬s ays the
Deputy Chief of Staff‭. ‬

"‭ ‬O ur need in missions along the border requires a bigger arrangement of forces on the field‭. ‬I t can
happen from two places‭- ‬r egular service‭, ‬w hich will damage training or reserves‭, ‬w hich will hinder
the law of reserves‭. ‬I personally recommended‭, ‬a nd the Chief of Staff agrees‭, ‬t hat it's better to
hinder the law of reserves and not training‭, ‬b ecause the latter is meant to serve the purpose of
preparedness in the IDF‭. ‬We may need‭, ‬f or certain units‭, ‬t o surgically break the law of reserves‭. ‬I
can tell reserve soldiers that in coming years we will call upon reserves no less‭, ‬m aybe even more‭. "‬
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‫‏‬The next generation of Combat Management - "The Super Highway"

"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 data
and 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 within 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.
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IDF reduces annual fuel consumption by 13 percent

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 around
14 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 the
driving culture of IDF officers and soldiers for the reduction in fuel consumption.
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‫ ‏‬NRWA spokesperson, “The IDF has a right and duty to protect its
U
citizens”
“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 UNWRA’s activities in
the 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 Israel’s 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 organization’s activities
beginning on May 1st, 1950, UNRWA’s 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,
we’ve put even more emphasis on the matter in the Gaza Strip.”

“No one wants to see Israel slandered”

With that, Gunness talked about the difficulties of educating in the Gaza Strip. “It’s 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 IDF’s 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 United
Nations 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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“UNWRA denounces terrorist activities”

Referring to the humanitarian reality 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 UNRWA’s humanitarian activities are absolutely in Israel’s best interest.
“Open economy, strong imports and exports – these all enable people to be less bitter 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.
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‫‏‬Red Cross official: There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza

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 Cross
representatives 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."

The Marmara, Hamas and the Arab world

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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The Red Cross played a role in the Gaza flotilla incident last year.

"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 confidential 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 doesn’t
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."

"We will continue to ask to monitor Gilad Shalit but we do not have the capability to force
anything on Hamas"

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 with
persistent 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 20 th ,2011 in the IDF Website)

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The IDF assists the work of Human Rights' Organizations

The value of the protection of Human Dignity is‭, ‬a mong others‭, ‬ingrained in the Code of Ethics of
the IDF according to which: The IDF and its soldiers are enforced to respect Human Dignity‭. ‬E very
person is worthy of Human Dignity regardless of ethnic origin‭, ‬r eligious affiliation‭, ‬n ationality‭,
‬g ender‭, ‬a s 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 by
regular contact‭, ‬u pdates as well as responses to applications made by these organizations‭,
‬a long 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, ‬a nswers are regularly provided with regards to applications that address
the use of military force‭, ‬a s well as progress in military investigations where there exists suspicion
of Human Rights transgressions by serving soldiers‭. ‬F urthermore‭, ‬t he 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, ‬a s well as the Law‭.

The dialogue enables to verify or deny claims placed against military personnel and commanders‭.
‬I n some suitable instances actual inquiries can be obtained as well as the perspective of the
Military with regards to such claims‭, ‬f or the purpose of reconsideration‭. ‬

In some instances‭, ‬a pplications made by Human Rights' Organizations may well lead to procedures
such as inquiries‭, ‬investigations or Investigative Military Police procedures‭, ‬d epending on the
decisions from authorized elements‭. ‬

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

and courses such as the Senior Command Course‭ (‬L ieutenant Colonels‭) , ‬a t 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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A number of additional IDF elements provide responses to applications made by Human Rights'
Organizations‭, ‬s uch 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.
‬F or example‭, ‬d uring 2010‭, ‬6 51,734‭‬a pplications to enter Israel were submitted and processed‭, ‬a
rise of 42%‭ ‬in comparison to 2009‭, ‬in addition to stay-extensions granted‭. ‬

• The Military Advocacy in all that addresses pure legal handling‭. ‬

In conclusion‭, ‬t he IDF has set itself one of the highest standards among armed forces worldwide
in establishing the preservation of Human Rights‭. ‬T his is best expressed in the routine operation
of the armed forces both in time of war as well as in particular operations‭. ‬H uman Dignity is an
integral part of the IDF Ethical Code and Spirit‭, ‬a nd is a dominant component in the training of
soldiers and their commanders‭. ‬I t is the conviction of the IDF and its commanders that a sound
ethical infrastructure is imperative for the preservation of the security of the citizens of Israel‭. ‬
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‫‏‬IAF's firefighting squadron named for fallen volunteer

‫ ‏‬ow it is official: the IAF's aerial firefighting
N
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, Commander
of 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 firefighting
unit 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 believe 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."  
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‫‏‬President honors 120 outstanding IDF soldiers

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 Israel’s 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.
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Chief of Staff: “Those we lost remain with us in the Spirit of the

IDF”
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.

The Chief of Staff's speech:

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 Lion’s 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 Israel’s history.

The President of Israel, IDF soldiers and commanders on duty, the house of Israel communing
tonight with the pain and pride of the memory of our loved ones, family 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.”

“No word can lessen the pain”

In our nation’s 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.

“We proved to the world the values of purity of arms and ethical standards”

In the past few years, in the face of constant, repeated attempts to blemish the dedication of our
soldiers, 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.

On the Middle East revolutions, “We are watching history be made”

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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“We must be more flexible, more unified”

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 war
from 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 I’ve stood at the door of many families
whose 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.

"I stand before you tonight, swearing to continue to remember"

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 the
memorial 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.