Together, We Can Protect Israel

Dear Friends,

With a heart full of urgency and hope, we are reaching out to you today. On 7th October, during the brutal Hamas attack on Israel, our civil defence teams - composed of brave citizen volunteers - were the beacon of hope and protection for many. Their swift response averted a greater tragedy, yet it also revealed a stark reality: these teams were under-equipped.

In moments of crisis, true heroism shines through. This was vividly demonstrated during the Hamas attack on Israel. Inbal Rabin-Lieberman, the ravshatz (community security coordinator) of Kibbutz Nir Am, heard the ominous drones at the Israel-Gaza border and sprang into action.

Amidst a power outage, she wisely prevented the use of generators to keep the kibbutz gate locked. Inbal ran from house to house, rallying the civil defence team, arming them from the kibbutz armoury, and positioning them at strategic points along the kibbutz fence. Her quick thinking and leadership were pivotal; the team successfully stopped terrorists at the main gate, preventing a potential tragedy. This act of bravery at Kibbutz Nir Am, situated perilously close to the Gaza Strip, saved many lives.

This incident underscores the vital need for well-equipped civil defence teams across Israel. On that day, while courage was abundant, proper equipment was not. Since then, over 700 new defence teams have been established throughout Israel, highlighting the urgency for proper gear and training.

Vision for Israel is committed to this crucial cause. In Sderot, donations reached £67,000. VFI is providing hundreds of ballistic helmets and tactical gear sets, costing £772 a set. In the Eshkol Regional Council, extending from Kibbutz Be’eri to Holot Agur, and from Nahal Habesor to the Gaza Strip and Egypt's border, we've identified the urgent need for defibrillators, 2-way radio devices, and scanning lights. The cost of equipping 32 communities in the Eshkol region is approximately £220,000.

We recently visited the Druze village of Yanu’ach Jat, mourning its heroes and facing increasing threats. They were in desperate need of our support. VFI supplied them with 40 bulletproof vests, helmets, emergency doctor bags, medic bags, stretchers, and flashlights, totalling around £21,235.

Yet, the needs are continuous in Israel, as many more defence teams need this vital equipment. Your support can make a monumental difference. Each donation brings us closer to equipping these brave men and women, ensuring they can respond with the same effectiveness and preparedness as Inbal and her team.


Please, click HERE to donate and designate your donation to “Medical & Disaster Relief”. Let us stand together in this noble cause, ensuring our courageous civil defence teams are well-equipped for any crisis.

Shalom,
Barry & Batya