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| Residents saluting the IDF |
A large number of resident in the West Bank saluted the Israel Defense Forces today, according to a report by the Tazpit News Agency.
Over the past year, life in Judea and Samaria has become a precarious affair due to the increase of terrorism on the roads. The smallest and mundane tasks, running the minutest errands, have become a dangerous incursion into terror ridden territory.
Recently, as a result of the IDF stepping up its efforts to combat this phenomena, there has been a decrease in the attacks against the civilians living in Judea and Samaria, and a more stable sense of security has been restored.
The IDF has engaged in hundreds of arrests, raids, stakeouts, have added patrols and more forces, and the outcome of their actions is tangible. They have not been successful in completely eradicating the assaults, but a better sense of security and safety has been restored to the region.
The residents of Judea and Samaria wished to express their gratitude to the security forces for their augmented efforts, and did so by holding a special rally on Friday (July 12), marching from Talmon to the nearby IDF base. Hundreds of residents, entire families marched, bearing backed goods, flowers, drawings prepared by children and other such gifts for the soldiers stationed there. When they got to the base they hung balloons of the parameter fence.
Ravid Sharon, one of the organizers, told Tazpit News Agency: "IDF has been operating overtly and covertly, and has achieved real results. We can all sense the improved state of security. We are all thankful for the peace and quiet which has returned to the region, and we felt an obligation and a prerogative to thank those who have worked to restore the peace."
Emily Amrusi, a resident of Talmon who participated in the rally, further added: "When we sleep peacefully at night there is someone awake. Gratitude is a value which is important for ourselves and our children. When the security situation deteriorated we knew to protest. Now that things have improved we are obligated to express our gratitude."
A personal thank-you letter was also presented to the Benyamin Division Commander, Colonel Yossi Pinto.