By:  Laurina Driesse

Those who have visited Israel’s Golan region in recent years often thought they heard the hollow echo of explosions in the distance. It turns out this was not just their imagination running away with them!

With the Golan Heights situated so close to Syrian border, the sounds of explosions and gunfire could often be heard from inside Israel because of Syria’s civil war, which has been raging there since 2011.

Although this region has been relatively quiet over the last 30 years, it is an increasingly sensitive security zone due to the Syrian conflict and the presence of the Hizbullah terror militia operating a stone’s throw away across the Hula valley in southern Lebanon.

Recently, the ICEJ Aid team had a very important reason for visiting Moshav Meitzar in the Golan region. This farming village is situated in the Yarmuk valley only 1.2 kilometers from Israel’s border with Syria and Jordan.

Standing on the plateau of the Golan, with an amazing view across the rolling green mountain range into Syria, Chen Levy – the Israeli security chief for Moshav Meitzar, talked about his concerns for the area with Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for AID & Aliyah. He noted that in the past, the moshav had experienced an attempted terrorist infiltration as well as gunfire from across the border. This should come as no surprise, as for several years now members of Daesh – affiliated with the Islamic State terror network – were in control of the adjacent corner of southern Syria.

“We have to be very vigilant here and change our perspective, as it was very quiet but now we are in a different situation,” explained Chen. “Although over the last two years the civil war has subsided, we still encounter hostile forces roaming the area, so we have to remain very vigilant.”

In light of its situation, it is no wonder that this moshav is regarded as an extremely vulnerable area, with the IDF believing that it will be a hot spot should any future conflict erupt.

The moshav hosts two very special programs. One brings in young people to attend a leadership and training year prior to entering the Israeli army. Currently, there are approximately 82 young people involved in this program coming from all over Israel, and even some participants from abroad who may consider making Aliyah after their year in the Golan.

The other program caters to juveniles and youths-at-risk who want to turn their lives around, rather than succumb to their tough circumstances or potentially face jail time. This program presently helps ten youth, each with at least two counsellors assisting them. The youth come from all over Israel, and part of their rehabilitation work is in the field of agriculture.

“The farm where they work is right on the border, 200 meters from the border fence, in a problematic spot,” noted Chen.

When the ICEJ heard of the lack of bomb shelters in Moshav Meitzar, there was no hesitation in agreeing to place several mobile shelters in this community. Thanks to very generous donors from the Netherlands and Switzerland, the Christian Embassy was able to purchase two much-needed bomb shelters and the location for placing them was carefully selected.

“We want you to know that our Christian friends around the world thought of you and wanted to do something to help you in the important work that you are doing to protect your community,” Nicole shared with Chen, who was a bit surprised.

“We expect the government to provide us with shelters, but when we receive them from friends outside the country, that is something special,” he told Nicole in response.

One portable shelter was placed by a bus stop near the entrance to the community, and the other was placed near the living quarters of the youth in rehab.

“Thank you very much,” added Chen. “I hope it will stay quiet, but again we will put them to good use. Thank you very much for the consideration.”

Many more communities located along Israel’s borders remain vulnerable, lacking sufficient shelters to protect them against an onslaught of rocket fire. Please consider donating towards more life-saving bomb shelters for Israelis in harm’s way.