As Israel’s war against the Hamas terrorist organization intensifies, people living in Israel are receiving much-needed supplies from America.
There are roughly 270 small towns and communities with populations of up to 1,000 residents scattered across Israel. You know them as ‘kibbutz,’ an agricultural hub that provides a societal norm unique to Israel.
“It’s a beautiful place to grow up and raise kids,” said a former IDF member named Tal. “We have olive trees all around and sidewalks where kids run around and play ball.”
However, many of them lost their sense of security after it was shattered by the recent terror attacks. GoPro footage of Hamas terrorists attacking Israeli civilians on Oct. 7th shocked the world. Tal was forced to watch from his home in Atlanta, Georgia, while his mother and father were living the war in real-time along the Lebanese border.
“When you see a person walking with an AK-47 between homes filled with children and infants sleeping in their beds, we need to make sure that our communities are protected,” Tal said.
The violence triggered an effort led by the former IDF soldier to provide protective gear for vulnerable communities.
“Our intention is to help protect life,” Tal said. “That’s why we’re focusing on protective gear.”
He hopes to raise $20,000 for equipment like bulletproof vests, helmets, and other safety gear to strengthen security for roughly 60 communities in northern Israel.
“Fires tend to be a big problem once rockets fall, even in its agricultures or open areas,” said Tal.
According to Rabbi Weil, the U.S.-based non-profit Friends of Israel Defense Forces uses donations and grants to help support soldiers by providing supplies including hygiene kits, plasma, field hospitals, and more.
“In the first 9 to 10 days of the war, we’ve actually transferred over $30 million,” said Weil. “We believe there will be four phases. Phase one is about $60 to $63 million. That’s just to cover the basic emergency medical equipment.”
As part of those upcoming phases, Weil said millions of dollars will go toward physical and emotional therapies for both soldiers and bereaved families. Amid a possible ground invasion of Gaza and with multiple enemies, supporters emphasize the importance of firmly standing with those defending Israel.
“It’s not just Israel these young men and women are defending,” Weil explained. “Because if Israel falls, their next goal is Sunni Islam. They’ll take over Mecca, take over Medina, the holy sites of Islam. But their ultimate goal, what they refer to in their terminology as ‘the Great Satan,’ their ultimate goals is western civilization.”
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