A special ceremony was held at the foot of the Tomb of Machpela in Hebron for
the installment of the new commander of the Judea Brigade.
the installment of the new commander of the Judea Brigade.
Congratulations to IDF Col. Itzik Cohen. Under his command, the last two
years were among the quietest in the history of the Judea region. His innovative ideas
have made Hebron safer for both Jews, Arabs and tourist alike.
years were among the quietest in the history of the Judea region. His innovative ideas
have made Hebron safer for both Jews, Arabs and tourist alike.
Col. Itzik Cohen has now been appointed commander of the elite Givati
Brigade.
Brigade.
We welcome the new commander of the Judea Brigade, Col. Itamar Ben Haim and
wish success to Col. Cohen on his new position.
wish success to Col. Cohen on his new position.
A strong sense of law-and-order in Hebron is essential for calm in the region
and the entire country. Studies show that Hebron has been a hotbed of extremism in the
past and only the combination of the Israel Defense Force and a normalized civilian
community allows the hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to this ancient and
inspirational city.
and the entire country. Studies show that Hebron has been a hotbed of extremism in the
past and only the combination of the Israel Defense Force and a normalized civilian
community allows the hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to this ancient and
inspirational city.
An Israeli interview dated in a May 24, 2018 article praises Col.
Cohen stating:
Cohen stating:
“About two years ago, when Col. Cohen took office, Hebron was the
West Bank’s capital of terror… Ninety-seven Palestinian would-be stabbers have
been arrested in Hebron since January 2017, Col. Cohen says, without being shot. One of
the reasons is a new operational perception formed by the brigade commander: Removing
the outdated and dangerous barriers—which are usually comprised of a table, a manual
metal detector and a container with no air conditioning—and building crossings further
away from the Jewish community, deep in the Palestinian neighborhoods. Three
outdated barriers were cancelled or replaced with seven new, quick and safe crossings,
reinforced with concrete. The bottlenecks and the friction have been reduced to a
minimum. In the Jewish community in Hebron, fighters hardly patrol the streets anymore.
They are deployed in overt or covert activity in the Palestinian territory, in control
posts, on rooftops or in newly established posts. ‘We work on accuracy and
differentiation here,’ Col. Cohen notes, pointing at the only remnant—the famous Gilbert
Checkpoint, which has seen dozens of terror attacks, including the Azaria incident—a
faded red line on the road. In any given moment, there are three-four quadcopters
and a drone above our heads in the sky, so if a force detects a suspicious movement in
the Abu Sneinah neighborhood, a quadcopter is immediately diverted in its direction. As
a result, 25 percent of Palestinian would-be stabbers have been apprehended in their
neighborhoods, before entering the Jewish community. The Palestinians feel better and
safer when we operate in their territory. There is a need to continue the investment in
infrastrctures here, to move from a fabric of life to quality of life.’ As we drive
around with Col. Cohen in Hebron, we are stopped by an elderly Palestinian… the
brigade commander wishes him a happy holiday, as well as to another elderly Palestinian
leaving the Cave of the Patriarchs after the prayer.”
West Bank’s capital of terror… Ninety-seven Palestinian would-be stabbers have
been arrested in Hebron since January 2017, Col. Cohen says, without being shot. One of
the reasons is a new operational perception formed by the brigade commander: Removing
the outdated and dangerous barriers—which are usually comprised of a table, a manual
metal detector and a container with no air conditioning—and building crossings further
away from the Jewish community, deep in the Palestinian neighborhoods. Three
outdated barriers were cancelled or replaced with seven new, quick and safe crossings,
reinforced with concrete. The bottlenecks and the friction have been reduced to a
minimum. In the Jewish community in Hebron, fighters hardly patrol the streets anymore.
They are deployed in overt or covert activity in the Palestinian territory, in control
posts, on rooftops or in newly established posts. ‘We work on accuracy and
differentiation here,’ Col. Cohen notes, pointing at the only remnant—the famous Gilbert
Checkpoint, which has seen dozens of terror attacks, including the Azaria incident—a
faded red line on the road. In any given moment, there are three-four quadcopters
and a drone above our heads in the sky, so if a force detects a suspicious movement in
the Abu Sneinah neighborhood, a quadcopter is immediately diverted in its direction. As
a result, 25 percent of Palestinian would-be stabbers have been apprehended in their
neighborhoods, before entering the Jewish community. The Palestinians feel better and
safer when we operate in their territory. There is a need to continue the investment in
infrastrctures here, to move from a fabric of life to quality of life.’ As we drive
around with Col. Cohen in Hebron, we are stopped by an elderly Palestinian… the
brigade commander wishes him a happy holiday, as well as to another elderly Palestinian
leaving the Cave of the Patriarchs after the prayer.”
From the words of Colonel Itzik Cohen at the ceremony:
“Here in this place where the graves of the parents of the Jewish
people are marked.
people are marked.
Here in this place which symbolizes, perhaps more than anything
else, the struggle of the people to live in their homeland.
else, the struggle of the people to live in their homeland.
Here in this place, in front of the walls that shed tears for every
victim and know joy in the marriage of a bride and groom.
victim and know joy in the marriage of a bride and groom.
Here near the Seventh Step, and step away from the Jewish Quarter.
Here seven years ago I served as a battalion commander deploying
his troops on alert week after week.
his troops on alert week after week.
Here I saw the eyes of the tearful parents of the late Hallel Yaffa
Ariel, and the brigade that was the first to recognize that Rabbi Michael “Micky” Mark
had been killed on the road not far from brigade
headquarters.
Ariel, and the brigade that was the first to recognize that Rabbi Michael “Micky” Mark
had been killed on the road not far from brigade
headquarters.
Here I stand proud today, excited and grateful for every moment of
privilege to command this special brigade. It is impossible to describe what sense of
satisfaction and pride I feel at the end of my service.
privilege to command this special brigade. It is impossible to describe what sense of
satisfaction and pride I feel at the end of my service.
Those who did not breathe the air on Friday night, heard the shots
from the neighborhoods of Jabel Johar and Abu Sneineh, traveled daily among the
tombstones commemorating heroes, went back and forth from Ma’ayan Avraham to Beit
Hadassah… anyone who has not felt this responsibility will never understand
it.
from the neighborhoods of Jabel Johar and Abu Sneineh, traveled daily among the
tombstones commemorating heroes, went back and forth from Ma’ayan Avraham to Beit
Hadassah… anyone who has not felt this responsibility will never understand
it.
I have a great right to be a partner in processes, processes that
require vision, and then step by step to achieve them – as if kicking a ball and running
to kick it again for another distance.
require vision, and then step by step to achieve them – as if kicking a ball and running
to kick it again for another distance.
The right to combine offensive activity at night, preventative
activities – the prevention of terrorist funds, the confiscation of incitement and
propaganda, the closing of radio stations that spew hate speech, the demolition of
terrorists’ homes and the establishment of an early warning defense
system.
activities – the prevention of terrorist funds, the confiscation of incitement and
propaganda, the closing of radio stations that spew hate speech, the demolition of
terrorists’ homes and the establishment of an early warning defense
system.
There is no second to the City of the Patriarchs with the
sensitivity and exuberance surrounding it, the microcosm of Israeli society, with its
colors and opinions… there is no possibility of preserving this lifestyle without
collaboration between the security forces and the police, who are responsible for seeing
the fate and future of children of all peoples living together in security and
peace.
sensitivity and exuberance surrounding it, the microcosm of Israeli society, with its
colors and opinions… there is no possibility of preserving this lifestyle without
collaboration between the security forces and the police, who are responsible for seeing
the fate and future of children of all peoples living together in security and
peace.
My replacement, the commander of the incoming brigade, Colonel
Itamar Ben Haim, is well acquainted with the sector as a battalion commander and an
officer in Judea and Samaria. I have no doubt that the sector has received one of the
best IDF officers. And I am certain that with his intelligence and sensitivity, he could
lead the division to new heights.
Itamar Ben Haim, is well acquainted with the sector as a battalion commander and an
officer in Judea and Samaria. I have no doubt that the sector has received one of the
best IDF officers. And I am certain that with his intelligence and sensitivity, he could
lead the division to new heights.
I thank my dear family who supported me all along, and I am
grateful to all my partners – thank you for your trust, thank you for your partnership
and support along the way, and especially for the belief in me in this complex
task.
grateful to all my partners – thank you for your trust, thank you for your partnership
and support along the way, and especially for the belief in me in this complex
task.
“There is courage for His people, and God will give His people
peace.”
Welcome and great success to the commander of the incoming Judea Brigade, Col. Itamar
Ben Haim,
Your success is the success of the entire nation of Israel.
peace.”
Welcome and great success to the commander of the incoming Judea Brigade, Col. Itamar
Ben Haim,
Your success is the success of the entire nation of Israel.
NEWS COVERAGE:
VISIT HEBRON TODAY!
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronfund
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* IDF Medics Save Life of Arab
Baby in Hebron
* Hebron Hero Who Tackled
Terrorist Receives IDF Award
* 10,000 Visit Tomb of Machpela
for “Hilulat Haavot”
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronfund
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* IDF Medics Save Life of Arab
Baby in Hebron
* Hebron Hero Who Tackled
Terrorist Receives IDF Award
* 10,000 Visit Tomb of Machpela
for “Hilulat Haavot”
