Mishmeret Yesha is an Israeli organization that trains Israeli settlers in counterterrorism techniques and the use of weapons to guardIsraeli outposts and settlements against Palestinian attack.[1] It was founded in 1988 and its name means "Guardians of Yesha."[2]Israel Danziger is head of operations for the organization[3] and one of its three founders. Danziger is a native of Brooklyn, New York.[4]
Mishmeret Yesha's main operations are in security training, medical aid, legal assistance, education, the building of connector roads, and land development.[2]
By 2008 Mishmeret Yesha had about 4,000 volunteers[5] and had helped train more than 100 "rapid response teams" of settlers in theJudea and Samaria Area. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) then provides M16 rifles and ammunition to authorized teams.[3] The IDF also allows Mishmeret Yesha to use its bases for training. The training takes place over a year and involves marksmanship and fitness components. Trainees must also miss 20 workdays during their year of training.[2]
Mishmeret Yesha also does agricultural work around Judea and Samaria. Their largest project is in the area around Shilo, where they have cleared and planted thousands ofdunams of land near Shvut Rachel and Adei Ad. It also owns sheep.[4]
The organization also runs a factory which designs and makes bullet-proof vests.[6]
[edit]Locations
Residents of numerous settlements and outposts have received training from Mishmeret Yesha, including Sde Boaz, Shavei Shomron, Kfar Tapuah, Bat Ayin, Pnei Kedem, and Esh Kodesh.[4]
Mishmeret Yesha insists that settlements that receive its training exclude Arabs. Israel Danziger told the Jerusalem Post that "we don't want to have anything to do with any organization that employs Arabs. There is no sense in training a rapid response team in a settlement or institution where you have a bunch of Arabs walking around gathering information."[3]
[edit]Israel Danziger
Mishmeret Yesha founder Danziger took aliyah from Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 1972 at the age of 19. His was the only white family on their street and Danziger recalled that "As early as I can remember I felt strange, out of place, in Williamsburg. Everything about those people was weird, the way they reacted to things. I did not know why I had that feeling."[4]
In 1969 there were anti-Jewish riots in Williamsburg and Danziger attended a speech by Meir Kahane which gave him the idea that Jews could use force to defend themselves and their families. Danziger attributes his eventual foundation of Mishmeret Yesha to this experience.[4]
