Should Jews in Yesha encourage the army to provide them with defensive measures, such as bulletproof vests, helmets, and more bulletproof buses? Surprisingly, opinion on this touchy issue is divided. An open letter distributed last week in Yesha calls upon the government not to rely on \"fortifications,\" but to take active steps such as increased road patrols and \"shaving down\" trees and buildings that can serve as camouflage for terrorists. \"Instead of actively fighting terrorism,\" the letter reads, \"a handcuffed army proposes illusory alternatives in the form of fortification measures. Instead of removing the terrorists from the roads, they suggest that we travel in pairs and can\'t travel on many roads. Instead of active measures, we are proposed to have buses and armored cars… We call upon the Yesha public to refuse the suggested plans, and revert to the demands for true security.\" Ofrah-resident Uri Elitzur, one of the signatories, elaborated:
\"If a person walks in the street and someone assaults him, he can raise his hand in front of his face to block the punch, but then he\'ll get punched in the stomach instead. In this situation, the only true defense is to fight back. Some fortifications are necessary, but we are against the thought that this is a solution to the main part of the problem. Therefore, instead of falling prey to this idea, it\'s better to be less fortified.\"
On the other hand, Elitzur\'s neighbor Shai Ben-Yosef says, \"Security is not only security, but also the sensation of security. It\'s impossible to reach 100% safety - but if someone\'s sense of security increases because he\'s wearing a vest or taking other measures, then it will be easier for him to continue his role as an active member of our communities… The measures don\'t say anything about a reduced determination to remain here; on the contrary…\"
On the other hand, Hevron resident Eyal Noked said, \"If we [in Hevron] had agreed to the army\'s demands that we travel only with armored buses, and walk only in pairs or with army escorts, and the like, no one would ever come to visit the Machpelah Cave, our lives would be very cold, and we would be no safer than we are now! The army offered the same conditions to a certain community in Gaza, and the people there now greatly regret having agreed to them.\"
Yesha Council spokesman Yehoshua Mor-Yosef told Arutz-7\'s Kobi Sela today that the Yesha Council has not yet analyzed the question, and acknowledges that most initiatives on this issue are private ones: \"Clearly, the best solution would be to defeat terrorism. But until this is done, certain measures to increase both security and the sensation of security must be taken, such as frequent public bulletproof transportation for those who want and bulletproof vests on deposit at the gates of the community for drivers who wish.\" Mor-Yosef said that from the Council\'s point of view, \"obligatory traveling in pairs\" must not become the atmosphere.
\"If a person walks in the street and someone assaults him, he can raise his hand in front of his face to block the punch, but then he\'ll get punched in the stomach instead. In this situation, the only true defense is to fight back. Some fortifications are necessary, but we are against the thought that this is a solution to the main part of the problem. Therefore, instead of falling prey to this idea, it\'s better to be less fortified.\"
On the other hand, Elitzur\'s neighbor Shai Ben-Yosef says, \"Security is not only security, but also the sensation of security. It\'s impossible to reach 100% safety - but if someone\'s sense of security increases because he\'s wearing a vest or taking other measures, then it will be easier for him to continue his role as an active member of our communities… The measures don\'t say anything about a reduced determination to remain here; on the contrary…\"
On the other hand, Hevron resident Eyal Noked said, \"If we [in Hevron] had agreed to the army\'s demands that we travel only with armored buses, and walk only in pairs or with army escorts, and the like, no one would ever come to visit the Machpelah Cave, our lives would be very cold, and we would be no safer than we are now! The army offered the same conditions to a certain community in Gaza, and the people there now greatly regret having agreed to them.\"
Yesha Council spokesman Yehoshua Mor-Yosef told Arutz-7\'s Kobi Sela today that the Yesha Council has not yet analyzed the question, and acknowledges that most initiatives on this issue are private ones: \"Clearly, the best solution would be to defeat terrorism. But until this is done, certain measures to increase both security and the sensation of security must be taken, such as frequent public bulletproof transportation for those who want and bulletproof vests on deposit at the gates of the community for drivers who wish.\" Mor-Yosef said that from the Council\'s point of view, \"obligatory traveling in pairs\" must not become the atmosphere.