A new bomb shelter has been opened in southern Israel with the support of the EAJC

A formal dedication ceremony for a mobile bomb shelter was held in Kibbutz Ruhama, located on the southern border of Israel (Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council). The shelter is designed to protect civilians from rocket attacks launched by terrorist organizations from the Gaza Strip. The event was attended by EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili, prominent Israeli chemist and former Rector of Ariel University Professor Mikhail Zinigrad, Academic Director of the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies (IEAJS) Professor Ze'ev Khanin, retired IDF General, Chairman of the Israel Space Agency, and founder of the national cybersecurity system Professor Yitzhak Ben-Israel, EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, Congress Treasurer Menachem Bushuev, KKL-JNF Deputy Chairman Robert Tiviaev, CEO of KKL-JNF Eurasia Igal Yasinov, and KKL-JNF Deputy Director General Roni Vinnikov. Financial backing for the project was provided by the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili.

The organizers of the ceremony emphasized that the location of the mobile bomb shelter was chosen strategically. Kibbutz Ruhama is one of the premier tourist destinations in southern Israel. Every February, during the blooming of the red anemones, the area attracts thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad.

In September 2022, the EAJC press service reported the completion of a project to install ten mobile protective structures in Israeli communities situated along the Gaza border. In addition to the shelters, the initiative included the construction of a designated secure bypass road in the border community of Kibbutz Nir Am.

The leadership of KKL-JNF highlighted the significant contribution of EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili in funding projects aimed at strengthening the security of residents in the southern region of the Jewish state.

"It is of paramount importance that the funds were allocated to construct shelters precisely where they are needed most, including locations heavily visited by tourists. Quite often, funding is directed towards highly visible projects in central areas rather than where the actual necessity lies. This project is a prime example of the correct approach," stated Igal Yasinov, CEO of KKL-JNF Eurasia, expressing gratitude to Dr. Mirilashvili for initiating the project.

According to organization officials, the previously installed mobile bomb shelters proved highly effective during the IDF's counter-terrorism Operation "Shield and Arrow" in the Gaza Strip, which took place from May 9 to May 14.

Furthermore, the secure bypass road, constructed with extensive financial support from the EAJC President, enabled the Israel Defense Forces to safely evacuate residents of Kibbutz Nir Am, located adjacent to the Gaza border, during the active phases of the military operation.

The decision to launch the project, which entails the construction of several dozen mobile protective structures in southern Israel and within kibbutzim situated directly on the border with the Gaza Strip, was finalized ten days after the conclusion of the IDF's counter-terrorism Operation "Guardian of the Walls" in late May 2021. The implementation was carried out in close coordination between KKL-JNF, local municipal councils, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Particular attention was paid to agricultural border areas to ensure the safety of farmers in the event of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Operation "Guardian of the Walls" took place from May 10 to May 21, 2021. It was launched in response to heavy rocket fire directed at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip by the terrorist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Over the course of the hostilities, approximately 4,360 rockets were launched from the enclave toward Israel, with the majority targeting southern cities.