The Jewish National Fund (JNF-KKL) has completed a project to build ten protective structures in Israeli communities located on the border with the Gaza Strip. In addition to bomb shelters, the program also included the construction of a so-called “Safety Road” in Kibbutz Nir Am. On September 22, a solemn ceremony of its opening took place. The event was attended by public organizations, officials, and politicians. The project was financially supported by the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, EAJC Vice-Presidents David Yakobashvili, Victor Naishuller, and Boris Spektor.
Speaking at the ceremony, the head of the EAJC recalled the massive rocket attack on the south of Israel during the anti-terrorist operation “Dawn” in Gaza in early August.
“In our holy writings, the Almighty expresses to us words of approval, words of support. It is said: “Your enemies will seek support from you. The kings will worship you. You will not borrow, but you will lend,” Dr. Mirilashvili said.
“If you think about the deep meaning of these words, you can see their embodiment around us. Literally, the whole world is watching us, the State of Israel. Our former enemies are now looking at us with hope and faith. They understand that we can support them, and help them. Until recently, this seemed impossible, but such times have come – thanks to the ‘Abraham Accords’ between Israel and the Arab countries. These agreements just two years ago made possible what seemed impossible for decades. Thus began a new chapter in the history of the Middle East. And today we are its active participants.
In this regard, if our former enemies rely on us today, then we must show our strength in defending our own cities and settlements so that those around us will believe in us even more. If only we, the Jewish people, would believe in ourselves as other nations believe in us. Our prosperity can only be reached by unity, which we clearly lack today. On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, I wish our people unity, peace, and prosperity,” summed up the President of the Congress.
10 days after the end of the anti-terrorist operation of the Israel Defense Force’s “Guardian of the Walls” in the Gaza Strip at the end of May 2021, the Jewish National Fund launched a project to build several dozen mobile protective structures in southern Israeli settlements, close to the border with the Gaza Strip. The project was implemented in close coordination with local settlement councils and the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Particular attention was paid to the border farmland area to ensure the protection of farmers during potential shelling from the Strip.
The military operation “Guardian of the Walls” (May 2021) began in response to a massive rocket attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip by terrorist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad. During the escalation of the conflict, about 4,360 rockets were fired from the enclave toward Israel, most of them toward the southern cities of the country. As a result of the shelling, 8 Israelis (including a 5-year-old child) and three citizens of foreign states were killed. More than 350 citizens of the Jewish state were injured of varying severity.
