The other day I went with about twenty of my peers from the ulpan to a shooting range (despite not appearing to be most accurate, the instructor was quite impressed with the close grouping on my target - it was really just a matter of acclimating to the weapon - Perfect 10!) with the local police station. The excursion was part of an initiative in which we had all found significance and something for which we registered to volunteer: משמר אזרחי - Civilian Guard. Israel's civilian guard is much like an advanced version of a neighborhood watch program. As with the firearms lessons, we are given instructions on what to look out for when on duty and how to act with suspicious characters. The raison d'etre of the civilian arm is to supplement the standing police force since they are not equipped with a large enough budget or have the requisite amount of personnel for all of their activities. So that's where I come in - as part of the staff, not the bankroll. Examples of my mission critical assignments have included standard ride-alongs to look for thugs, escorting neighborhood revelers during a procession and party to introduce a new Torah to the community as well as guarding the perimeter of a park wherein more post-holiday festivities took place. My most common job: to keep cars and crowd-goers apart and to provide directions or information. For one of the ride-alongs I got to hold a flashlight (wasn't used) and we saw how the officer we accompanied asked for identity papers from a number of people, all without incident. At the Torah procession I blocked my very first street (at least with intention and authority to do so) to help the celebrants proceed through the streets unfettered. Only at the larger city festival celebrations did I have a rifle (also not used) - picture a World War Two-era wooden carbine. Don't worry though, not only is my aim pretty precise, but also - on a more serious note - under strict orders we are not to use the weapons unless we come under direct and imminent threat of life to ourselves and/or to those who we are protecting. Even if those situations arise, though none have and I don't surmise that any will, we must first assess that there is an imminent threat, verbally attempt to assuage the assailant and, if our efforts still do not bear fruit, only then can we fire a warning shot in the air to provide another clear warning to the would-be attacker.
On our first ride, it was interesting to see the officer stop random people on the street. He didn't necessarily suspect anyone in particular but rather wanted to show us what questions to ask, how to behave and what to look for in someone's behavior. For the larger festivities in the park where we were called in to assist for crowd control, we were informed that Muslims are not allowed to enter the park because of the special event. Being in close quarters to the bystanders whose ID papers were requested or to Muslims who may pass us on the street, I was uncomfortable with how to act and what to say. What I quickly had to understand and accept was that, though it may sound like a foreign concept to me coming from America, the situation is different here in Israel and hence the rules and regulations are also different accordingly, adapted to the situation. This does not mean that the officers on duty whom I witnessed interacting with a few Arab kids were in the least bit offensive or discourteous. On the contrary - they walked side-by-side, each understanding that the situation dictates the circumstances. This 'situation,' of course, is that of the persistent tension, antagonism and violence that erupts especially at religious ceremonies when Jews and Muslims are standing atop a sparked controversy. Not always, but certainly of late. Just the same, Israel does not permit Jews to pray in their most revered spot on the Temple Mount because the Muslims see it as a provocation and an infringement on their holy sanctuaries. When I asked some of the officers for an explanation as to why Muslims aren't allowed to this particular event, they responded by saying that because of the situation they did not want to take chances that there would be altercations and that it would be even more suspicious if Muslims were interested in rejoicing with the Torah and Zionist-inspired songs and dances. True on both counts, however unfortunate the present times may be.In general, our position is important to assisting the police force with extra bodies to fill in as temporary colleagues. It's a great help to them and it provides us with a sense of belonging and purpose to help make sure our new neighbors are safe and that they recognize that we are contributing to the society here. Cheers to another week ahead of volunteering!
