HELPING the
MIGHTY MEN of ISRAEL
First, let us lay a foundation from Scripture. I Chronicles 11:26 and 41, “Also the valiant men of the armies were…41, “Uriah the Hittite…” URIAH the Hittite is listed among the mighty men of David...
THE NAME
URIAH
The name “Uriah” comes from Scripture and most everyone is familiar with the story. Uriah was not a Jew yet he fought with David and his mighty men. Because Uriah was a Gentile fighting with the Jewish people, we have adopted his name because though we might not be able to fight alongside the Jewish people, as Gentiles we can provide much needed equipment to the mighty men and women in Israel – thus...
THE URIAH PROJECT.
THE URIAH PROJECT.
Who Protects
The Borders of Israel?
compiled and edited by Garry Way
Malachi 1:4, “Whereas Edom said, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.”
Please notice the phrase, “…The border of wickedness.” Most of the communities are located on the borders of Israel which we know are Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Gaza. It is indisputable that each of these border countries would like to see Israel removed from the face of the earth, thus “The border of wickedness.”
THE
border
OF
wickedness
kibbutz
OR
moshav
DOTTED ALONG THE BORDERS OF ISRAEL ARE AROUND
270 COMMUNITIES
known as either a kibbutz or moshav
It is said that if you turned out all the lights in Israel and then turned on just the lights of these communities, you would see an outline of the borders of Israel.
Presently THE URIAH PROJECT is concentrating on helping the communities southwestern Israel near the border with Gaza. However, we are open to helping any and all communities in Israel that could use our help. We have met people in kibbutzim and moshavim all over Israel.
These communities, which began in the early 20th century, were traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly replaced by industry and high-tech. For example one kibbutz has a very successful military plastics industry.
These “kibbutzim” and “moshavim” are basically self-sustaining communities using farming and/or manufacturing as the means of existence. One kibbutz where we have visited makes office supplies such as clipboards and three-ring binders. Another kibbutz makes solar panels for swimming pool heaters. Most of the time the products are shipped all over the world. And, of course, there is the agriculture communities where we have tasted tomatoes, carrots, avocados, dates, and many other delicacies.
WHEN YOU ENTER ONE OF THESE COMMUNITIES YOU WILL SEE
AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY
with people moving about involved in various daily chores.
You will see a beautiful place with small duplexes. Each community usually has a daycare for the younger children who are not in school. A swimming pool and community hall are the centers of attention. There will be a playground with bicycles much like you would see in America. You may see kids playing soccer and basketball. Many times you will see a green haven, with tall, leafy trees and long patches of grass, surrounding modest one-story houses.
There are many such communities in the southwestern part of Israel. Many of them are along the border with Gaza which puts them in imminent danger. Many of these communities are less than two miles from the border fence, from Arab terrorists who only one goal – the complete annihilation of Israel.
EVERY DAY, THESE PRECIOUS PEOPLE
FACE THE DANGER OF TERRORISTS
attacking their homes in the form of rocket and mortar attacks
These attacks are often deadly. In the summer of 2014 a mortar attack on Kibbutz Nirim killed the security chief, Zevik Etzion, and his deputy, Shachar Malamed. The attack wounded five other people. Zevik served for many years as the coordinator of security for Kibbutz Nirim. I have a window decal on my truck with Zevik’s picture. I have been asked many times the story behind the decal.
My friends are to be admired for their spirit and determination to continue to live in their communities without giving in to the threats of rockets and acts of terrorism. They are to be praised for their courage. These communities are their country’s home front.
One of the greatest dangers facing our friends in Southwestern Israel are those tunnels dug from Gaza into Israel. These tunnels show us the desire of the Arab terrorists to launch a full-scale attack on Israel.
If Hamas can cause enough havoc and force these communities to evacuate, they will be able to declare victory. If Hamas can successfully force these communities to close down, they will be able to declare victory.
Often if you look toward Gaza and the border fence, you can hear the rumble of a huge drill at work. It is an Army drill hitting the ground and searching for more tunnels.
The tunnels are one of Israel’s worst nightmares and the army is in a race against time to locate and destroy them before they are used. I can only hope that right now a terrorist is not digging a tunnel underneath a community with plans to pop up in the middle and start shooting.
That’s why we must do everything in our power to help these communities. They are the front line defense for the land of Israel. If they give up one inch, just one inch of land to the Arab terrorists, it will be a victory. We cannot allow these communities to be intimidated into closing. We must help!
The people in Gaza may still live in rubble, but Hamas will tell them that their suffering paid off, because for the first time since Israel’s creation, Israelis have been pushed away from places that are within the 1948 borders. They will be able to tell their people — “We’ve set a precedent.”
Security officials tell us that Hamas has invested considerable effort in digging a new tunnel network within the coastal enclave, as well as several tunnels meant for eventual cross-border attacks.
The Gaza-based terrorist organization has been using whatever cement it can get its hands on for the construction of the tunnels, and fortifying the walls of its underground structures with wood as well.
IN SOME COMMUNITIES, ONCE THE AIR RAID SIREN GOES ON, YOU HAVE
SEVEN SECONDS TO REACH SHELTER
The “Iron Dome” system, which protects large parts of Israel from rockets and missiles, doesn’t cover the Gaza border region — the distance is too short. In other communities they have 15 seconds or less!
I have spent time in the communities in Southwestern Israel. On one occasion the Egyptian Air Force was bombing terrorist targets as part of its ongoing war against Islamic State (ISIS) affiliates in Sinai. I could barely hear the Egyptian bombings, but it was impossible not to feel the vibrations created by them. Several times a day I could feel the vibrations as the windows rattled.
Of the 21 border communities, Nahal Oz is the closest to Gaza, and for the last 15 years, has also been one of the most bombarded places in Israel. During the 2014 war, it was under nonstop fire.
If you lived in one of these communities you would know that as a self-sustaining community, there is no fire department or police. The men that live there form the fire and police departments. If the alarm goes off that the border fence has been breached, the men in that community drop what they are doing, pick up their weapons and defend their community, their family and their home. The military may take 10-15 minutes or longer to respond so the men must step up.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I WAS VISITING A KIBBUTZ IN SOUTHWESTERN ISRAEL. AN IDF LT. COLONEL SAID TO ME, ``GARRY, YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS HAVE RAISED A LOT OF MONEY FOR IDF, AND WE LOVE YOU FOR IT...``
``...DO YOU THINK YOU COULD HELP MY COMMUNITY``
Over the next few minutes we talked about how we could help. In our conversation I found out that the men in his kibbutz, and most every other kibbutz, were poorly equipped to take on the Arab terrorists that threaten their lives. My IDF friend said that these men could use any kind of equipment. That conversation led me, along with several other good organizations, to start raising money to provide that needed equipment. Over the past few years we have seen the following items provided:
Kevlar vests (bullet-proof)
High quality, military grade flashlights
Leatherman style multi-tools
Rifle lasers
Thermal, night vision equipment
Pistol holsters
Ammunition magazines
Tactical clothing and boots
Communication equipment (2 way radios)
Spotting scopes
Binoculars
For another time we will discuss the work we have done with the IDF . The organizations I have worked with have raised hundred and hundred of thousands of dollars for the IDF. I was privileged to work along side the late Jim Vineyard for many years as he worked tirelessly to provide equipment for the IDF.
There is a project in the works to provide items needed by women and children in these communities. We were once asked to assist in the purchase of a piano for one community. There is so much that THE URIAH PROJECT can do – with your help!
Our desire for the past 14 years has simply been to be a blessing to the people of Israel, and for the last 3-4 years being a blessing to the communities in Southwestern Israel.
NOW, IN THOSE COMMUNITIES THERE IS A LEADER OF THESE MEN WHO FORM THE SECURITY TEAM.
HE IS CALLED THE RAVSHATZ
which is the equivalent of a sheriff or police chief.
His number one responsibility and goal is the protection of his community. He accomplishes that goal by preparing his men to take on any and all attacks from the Arab terrorists from either Gaza or Egypt.
As the Ravshatz he is the first one to take action. He will be the first to confront the enemy. His life is always on the line. He carries his weapons at all times so as to be prepared at a moment’s notice. He alerts his community and the military and then stands his ground. There cannot be any kind of hesitation when the enemy is mere minutes or even seconds away.
As we have already seen, the enemy can appear from a deep underground tunnel or from behind a tree. He might even be in an unknown vehicle or even a motorcycle. The Ravshatz must always be prepared – always! He patrols the area around his community and knows every square foot. (I have been privileged to ride day and night patrols with these men.) He familiarizes himself with the surroundings. The valleys and wadis (dry river bottoms) are well known to him. Any place the enemy can hide or attack from is always on his mind. He must stay prepared.
This position of Ravshatz is distinctive in that he is part civilian and part military. He lives as a civilian and works with civilians yet coordinates with the military to fight a war! In my opinion this is the most stressful occupation in all of Israel. He literally works 24 hours a day as he is always on call and must be prepared to go the moment the alarm is sounded. I’m not sure when they sleep, eat or spend time with their family. These are some of the most dedicated men in all of Israel – to their family and their country.
They are some of my best friends and I would trust them with my life.
Back to my IDF friend and our conversation. He told me that most of the Ravshatzim were issued one weapon, two 30 round magazines, ammo, and small truck. I cannot imagine taking on Arab terrorists with only two or three 30 round magazines and no communication equipment. When the terrorists are attacking my community with fully automatic AK47s and explosives with the intention of killing me, I want a little more.
I have been with them when they were talking on two cell phones and their radio to stay on top of things. They are in full speed mode seemingly all the time.
Any other supplies the Ravshatz usually provides for himself or receives it from organizations like ours. They do not grumble, they just do their job. And then the men of his security team as just as under-supplied.
Surely you see the need to help these men and their families. I hope you find it in your heart to help us help them.
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A BRIEF HISTORY
Since 2004, we have been able to interact with IDF soldiers, the Ravshatzim (plural form in Hebrew,) other men in these communities, Border Patrol soldiers and IDF Officers. All these brave men were very touched that we would go to the front lines to let them know we are praying for their safety. We have had them say that our presence there meant more than any gift we bring. We have stayed in kibbutz guest houses.
The men in these communities are soldiers, they are husbands, they are fathers, they are Hebrews. I cannot help but think we are helping a descendent of one of David's mighty men defend the same soil that was defended thousands of years ago.
Met Defence Minister Yoav Gallant
Met Defense Minister Yoav Gallant showing our support to let the people of Israel know that I stand with them....
Human Chain 2004
We sent my daughter to Israel in 2004 to be part of the human chain from Gush Katiff to Jerusalem....
Protest in Crawford, TX
We were part of a huge protest rally in Crawford, Texas, when then Prime Minister Sharon was there visiting with President Bush, protesting against the giving away of the Gush Katiff and other communities....
Visited VP Ya’alon
We have visited in the office of former Vice Prime Minister Ya’alon to state our protest....
Contacted Prime Minister Netanyahu
We have written letters, sent emails and faxes to Prime Minister Netanyahu asking him to not give away any more land....
Gush Katiff
We visited Gush Katiff in 2004 and met several families, some of which are still friends....
