During a special session of the Knesset Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee on Monday, 9 Elul, the IDF Homefront Command revealed the four communities in Yehuda and Shomron (Yosh) that are under the most significant security threat. The communities are Elon Moreh, Otniel, Negahot and Karmei Tzur. The committee is chaired by MK (Bayit Yehudi) Moti Yogev, a retired IDF colonel.

The IDF explains these are the communities under the most significant threat and therefore, should be given defensive means immediately. The Homefront Command representative attending the meeting explained the money for an advanced electronic detection system given by the Defense Ministry is only sufficient for three of the four. The military representative added that in 2016, the IDF increased the budget for the communities by 25%, which is an improvement, albeit insufficient.

Security officials representing the yishuvim told committee members of the lack of security measures resulting from an inadequate budget. They explained in their regional council there are two neighborhoods which are home to hundreds of families and children but they cannot receive security measures because the areas are not registered with the Taba land registration.

Moshe Seville, deputy head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council told the committee that the situation is difficult because at times they are forced to finance private protection measures.

Yogev warned that if the nation doesn’t awaken and allocate the necessary security budgets for communities along the northern and southern borders as well as in Yehuda and Shomron, “the price may be paid in bloodshed. I call on the Prime Minister and Defense Minister to allocate the necessary annual budgets”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)