Today’s suggested actions to support Israel in your local community:

• Join Jewish Federations’ Advocacy Fly-In to Washington DC January 30th and 31st to advocate for aid for Israel and other top communal priorities and to strengthen relationships with key decision-makers in Congress.
• Learn best practices for addressing anti-Israel resolutions in your city council meetings at a Jewish Federations training session today from 2-3 pm ET.
• Raise awareness for the 136 hostages still being held in Hamas captivity by taking part in the #RidetoBringThemHomeNow on January 14th.
• Read this op-ed by Colonel Richard Kemp, a 29 year veteran of the British Army, on the strident measures the IDF has taken to minimize civilian casualty in compliance with international law.
• Watch and Share the story of 35-year-old Uriel Baruch, husband of Racheli and father to two children, aged eight and five. He is a fan of techno music and is described by loved ones as “a beautiful soul.” He was last seen with a friend at the Supernova Music Festival on October 7th. There is still no trace of Uriel, who is presumed to have been taken to Gaza by Hamas terrorists. For three months Uriel’s family has not known whether he is dead or alive.

Issue:
Since October 7th, Israel has faced attacks on multiple fronts, including over 2,000 rockets, drones and anti-tank missiles that have been launched into northern Israel by Hezbollah in Syria and Lebanon. The fire, which has intensified in the last few days, began on October 8th when Hezbollah launched an unprovoked barrage of rockets into Israel.


Background:

• Hezbollah is a Shi'ite political and militant group based in Lebanon that was founded in 1982. Its doctrine calls for the destruction of Israel, stating that Israel “is the hated enemy that must be fought until the hated ones get what they deserve.” Among its objectives is “to expel the Americans” from the Middle East.
• The group was founded and is funded by Iran and operates in very close coordination with Iran until this day. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and many other countries.
• Hezbollah has been described as “the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor, and as “a militia trained like an army and equipped like a state.” It is estimated that the group maintains an arsenal of between 70,000 and 150,000 missiles and rockets, including a small number of precision-guided missiles.
• In a 2016 speech, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said, “Today Israel has its own nuclear bomb. All our rockets plus the ammonia tanks in Haifa result in a nuclear bomb. In a region that populates 800,000 people, a few tens of thousands will be killed.”
• In a recent video released by Hezbollah simulating an attack on Israelis, the group stated that “[Israel] will disappear where Palestine will remain Arab and dear to its sons.”
• The most intense recent wave of attacks occurred on Saturday with a barrage of 62 rockets fired at Israel. The group said that the attacks were in response to the elimination of senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon last week.
• There is tremendous fear among residents of northern communities, which in many cases are even closer to the border fence than along the southern border with Gaza. The threat to the north has forced the evacuation of about 80,000 people.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed Hezbollah this week saying, “I suggest that Hezbollah learn what Hamas has already learned in recent months: No terrorist is immune.”
• Following the Second Lebanon War, the United Nations passed UN Resolution 1701 which called for the complete cessation by Hezbollah of any attacks on Israel, while Israel is required to cease any offensive measures against Hezbollah. Hezbollah’s actions including attacking Israeli infrastructure are a violation of the Resolution.
• Israel has retaliated by launching counter-strikes on Hezbollah targets in Syria and Lebanon. On Monday it was reported that Wissam al-Tawil, senior commander of Hezbollah’s elite Rawdan force, was killed by a targeted IDF air stike. Tawil was one of the most senior members of Hezbollah to be eliminated since the war began. Earlier today it was reported that Hezbollah’s drone chief Ali Hussein Barji, another senior member of the terrorist group, was killed.

Community Spotlight

Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo held a sold-out Shine A Light on Antisemitism film screening at a local synagogue. The event was attended by 150 people, who were joined by educators and faith and minority leaders for an educational evening on the rise of antisemitism. In addition to raising awareness, the event received positive media coverage.

Submit a community initiative here that you would like to highlight for our system.

Additional Resources

Click here to access Jewish Federations’ toolkit on the War in Israel, which links to the Community Mobilization Resource Hub to help you speak up for Israel.

Click here for guidance on responding to anti-Israel resolutions proposed by city councils.  

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war against Hamas. The Community Mobilization Center will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. The work of the Community Mobilization Center will continue as long as it takes Israel to eradicate the terrorist threat and restore security to the country.

The Community Mobilization Center is at your service. Click here to send us an email.

Click here to sign up for the Dispatch