Since October 7th there have been a growing number of terrorist threats from Jenin and Tulkarem against the people living within the Sharon communities. This has forced the Lev HaSharon Regional Council to take action, thereby not waiting for the State’s help to expand its rapid response teams, and to provide them with all the necessary equipment to protect the residents and their families.

The American nonprofit, Israel Friends, which was established immediately after the terrorist attack by Hamas on Simchat Torah, mobilized to help the Council. Their goal is to assist in the donation of equipment and supplies for soldiers, civilian guards, and rescue teams nationwide, thereby strengthening the Israeli homefront and saving as many Israeli lives as possible. The organization has donated roughly 500 tons of equipment since the beginning of the war, with a total value of over 26 million dollars. Today, the organization continues to help the State of Israel and works in strategic partnership with many of the most significant nonprofit organizations, including with the World Zionist Organization and its CEO Yaakov Hagoel. Israel Friends has also proudly partnered with nonprofit Civil Squads of Israel. Civil Squads of Israel (CSI) was founded by Nir Alon in the wake of that horrific Saturday morning when he was forced to protect his family from Hamas terrorists in the Gaza envelope. CSI works diligently throughout the country to provide critical assistance to civilian guards and emergency response teams, from protective equipment to training.

A festive ceremony was held at the assembly hall in Moshav Nitzani Oz. Located 400 meters from Tulkarem, the hall has endured massive gunfire. At the ceremony, the organizations presented over 200 ceramic protective vests to the members of the emergency rapid response units in the Council’s communities. These vests meet the strictest standards and will be put into operational use this week.

Israel Friends is continuing their efforts to provide much-needed support. In the near future, they intend to equip the rapid response units in the area with additional accessories that will help maintain the security of the residents. “After the terrible massacre that Israel’s citizens experienced last Simchat Torah, we feel fully committed to the safety of the residents. On Simchat Torah it was proven that the rapid response units are the protective first line of defense against terrorism and we will do everything to help them guard their communities,” says the Israel Friends organization.

Israel Friends CEO Kyle Blank: “The State of Israel is today in greater danger than in all its 76 years of existence. The Israel Friends organization is fully committed to ensuring the existence of the State and the security of its citizens. In light of this, we are assisting in a wide range of initiatives designed to protect citizens and ensure that the brutal massacre that took place on October 7 doesn’t happen again. Strengthening the rapid response units in communities close to the border fence is a top priority. We witnessed the heroism of the members of the rapid response units in the villages surrounding Gaza who saved many lives. I thank the World Zionist Organization and the Civil Squads of Israel organization for partnering with us.”

Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel: “One of the lessons we learned from the Iron Swords War is the importance of preparing for self-defense. In the 1930s, a system of settlement and defense was initiated in Israel called ‘a wall and a tower.’ The settlements that were established on the ground then were surrounded by a protective wall with observation and defense towers. These settlements’ vigilance saved lives. Today, as part of the lessons of October 7, we understand the added value of establishing defense systems and the rapid response units. We have partnered with the Israel Friends organization – as a united force – from the beginning of the war to respond to immediate needs, helping to restore communities and for promoting defense readiness through the rapid response units.”

Nir Alon, Chairman of Civil Squads of Israel: “Our association is dedicated to the protection and preparedness of Israel’s volunteer civilian rapid response units. CSI, established in the wake of October 7, stands shoulder to shoulder with those protecting our communities on the front lines.”

Eli Eton, Head of the Lev HaSharon Council: “Unfortunately, in recent months we have seen a significant increase in threats to borderline villages, which necessitates increasing the protective measures of our rapid response units. I would like to thank the donors for their spirit of giving, the organizations Israel Friends, WZO and its CEO Yaakov Hagoel, and Civil Squads of Israel and their team Danny Buchen and Nir Alon. A big thank you to the volunteers, thanks to whom we sleep better at night. They work day and night to keep us safe.”

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