In light of the escalation in Islamic terrorism in Israel since the summer, particularly in Yerushalayim, Israel Police is calling on the public at large to join the Mishmar Ezrachi auxiliary police unit in their community.

Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) probed the matter, seeking to determine what happened to the many police volunteers as that area of the department has fewer members today than in past years. The report states the volunteer force has dropped from 100,000 to 36,000 members. 27 positions that should be filled by volunteer officers remain vacant as a result in the sharp drop in manpower.

What occurred is Israel Police is short handed in other operational areas and decided to pull the volunteers from community patrols where they are supposed to be serving, preparing to ignore the latter. Some of the many volunteers who left explain they are not respected, their primary goal of serving their communities has been ignored, they are often not given uniforms and proper equipment and they are simply treated inappropriately, compelling their decision to resign. They add they often do not have sufficient weapons or communications equipment to sign out for their shifts. The report adds there is an increase in volunteerism among the border police however.

In response to the report, an Israel Police spokesman reports “There are over 36,000 volunteers’ 80% of which have decided to give of their time to improve security and their actions are admirable. Regarding the reported missing positions for officers, the number is in line with department deployment of personnel. Israel Police is currently investing a great deal in recruiting and training long-term leadership and command positions for volunteers”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)