The commander of the Israel Police elite Yomam commando unit, Commander Bet, says that “In Israel any scenario is possible”.

According to Bet, his commando force continues to train, constantly, always trying to remain a step ahead of terrorists, stating that nothing is viewed as an impossibility and with this in mind, they continue training to prepare troops for any eventuality.

He used the terror attack near Eilat in August 2011 as an example, adding the loss of veteran team member Pascal Avrahami HY”D in that operation was indeed tragic, but the Yomam’s response prevented additional loss of life. Bet added that Avrahami was a highly member of the team who gave his entire life to combating terror.

There are generally about 1,000 applicants to enter the Yomam. After the interviews that number is reduced to 300, and 80-100 will pass the entrance exam, the ‘gibbush’ as it is called, which entails a number of days in the field with the unit.

Of that number, 15-20 will begin the course and 10-15 will graduate and become members of the elite unit. The average age of a unit member is a surprising 32, and the average age of a unit sharpshooter is 36, while company commanders’ average age is 38.

Bet is quite qualified, having served in the IDF as a commander of the secretive Shaldag unit as well as a commander of the highly prestigious IAF 669 airborne rescue unit.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)