Security Situation in Israel's South Escalates - Jewish Federation Opens Relief Fund

In a year which has already seen more than 800 rockets fired at Israel from Gaza, we have now seen a serious escalation of the security situation facing Israel since November 10. After a mortar attack on an Israeli military position and a dramatic increase in rocket fire earlier this week, the Israeli government launched Operation Pillar of Cloud to address and curtail the threat to the Israeli civilian population. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has been direct in his statements that no government could allow such attacks on its civilian population unanswered.

The Israeli response has focused on targeted attacks on the Hamas military command and resources. Wednesday this resulted in the death of Hamas Military Commander Ahmed Jabri. By contrast, the Hamas forces in Gaza continue to indiscriminately target civilian populations. More than 250 rockets have been fired on Israel since Jabri's killing. For a concise background briefing on the situation priced by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, click here.

There has been close coordination between Israel's Ministry for Home Front Protection, and its National Emergency Authority, the Jewish Federations of Canada, Jewish Federations of North America, and our key agency partners on the ground in Israel - the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. The most immediate needs of the population for protection, respite, and emergency services are, at this point, well in hand. However, the cumulative impact of the recent escalation of rocket attacks has brought life in Israel's south to a halt, affecting 1 million Israeli civilians. Many are evacuating the south of the country.

Since yesterday, rocket fire reached Tel Aviv, Rishon L'Zion, and the outskirts of Jerusalem, raising the stakes dramatically. There is no question that additional resources will be needed to assist individuals and families directly affected by the attacks through loss of life, injury, and damage to property. And there will be the need to assist tens of thousands of people traumatized by their experiences.

It is easy to view this crisis in the abstract. I encourage you to view its impact through the lens of people directly affected. This short video is a statement by a student from Ashkelon, delivered in the presence of Prime Minister Netanyahu on Wednesday. Or read the words from a mother in Sderot.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver has reopened its Southern Israel Relief Fund to enable community members to respond to the emergency needs of Israelis affected by this crisis. Allocation of funds will be coordinated with our partner Federations and key agencies on the ground to ensure the strategic use of funds for both immediate and longer range needs stemming from the current situation. To contribute, click here.

The Jewish Federations of Canada have been active in Sderot since the 2nd Lebanon War, and since that time have provided for a fortified community centre, and for extensive programs providing short and longer term assistance for youth in the city traumatized by years of attacks. Beersheva, the major city of the Negev also heavily impacted by rocket fire, is the long-time partnership community of Montreal. In the wake of Operation Cast Lead our Southern Israel Relief Fund provided support to extend trauma counseling resources in the Sderot schools for two years. Our efforts in this current situation will be similarly focused.

The Canadian Government has been direct and forthright in condemning the terrorist forces in Gaza for the escalating crisis, and for defending Israel's right to defend herself and her civilian population. Bob Rae, on behalf of the Federal Liberal Party, has also issued a strong statement supporting Israel. Please take a moment to express your appreciation to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, as well as to Hon. Bob Rae.

Hopefully the situation will stabilize with a cease fire and de-escalation of violence soon. Until it does, we pray for peace, even as we stand together with the people of Israel.

         
Mitch Gropper                      Mark Gurvis
Chair, Federation Board      Chief Executive Officer