RJC Abroad: Northern Israel
Shalom Friends -- Yesterday, the RJC delegation traveled to the north of Israel. The close proximity of former Hezbollah outposts to Israeli communities on the borders with Lebanon and Syria is truly astounding.
Led by IDF Maj. Liad Diamond, we began our visit in the hilltop community of Mizgav Am, which is still totally empty of civilians. As we stood on the strategic lookout point, we could see Lebanese homes that had been used as rocket launch sites and had been destroyed by the IDF. Maj. Diamond told us that a complex Hezbollah tunnel system had been located nearby, and the IDF is still actively patrolling the area to protect local communities. Over 50% of nearby homes have been affected by rocket fire, with tens of thousands of Israelis still unable to return to their homes after 569 days of war.
(The RJC delegation at Mizgav Am in the north of Israel.)
We then took the winding mountain roads to the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights. The community experienced tragedy on July 27, 2024, when Hezbollah fired a rocket that landed on a local soccer field, killing 12 children and critically injuring 36 more. The rocket hit without any warning alarm, meaning the children only had seconds to react and run to a nearby shelter. Twisted metal and burnt bicycles remain around a memorial at the exact spot where the missile landed.
At the site, we met with parents of the murdered children, including the fathers of Guevara Ebrahem (age 11) and Alma Fakher Alden (age 11). Guevara was the oldest son, with dreams of being a professional soccer player. He loved star player Cristiano Ronaldo and planned to eventually move to Madrid to study and play soccer. His father told us that he went through 72 hours of hell because they couldn’t find any of Guevara’s remains. But through the pain in his eyes, he told us, “We don’t want revenge, we just want peace.”
(Majdal Shams, where 12 children were killed by a Hezbollah rocket.)
Alma Fakher Alden was her family’s only daughter. She loved dancing, playing sports, and was a very good student; it was her dream to go to medical school at Harvard. Her father told us that one week before she was killed, he bought her a bracelet while they were on a trip together in Munich. The bracelet was how he recognized her upon reaching the soccer field on that dreadful day. Ayman told us that “To complete their lives, we need to see the positive in life.”
The local mayor thanked us for being there to comfort the families and bear witness, telling us that when anything happens in the Druze villages, 20,000 people feel it.
He presented Senator Coleman and our delegation with a soccer ball emblazoned with the faces and names of all 12 children. We offered our sincerest condolences and embraced the families. As we were leaving, local children began playing soccer on the very same field, just a few feet from where tragedy struck — demonstrating the incredible resilience and strength of this community.
(We shared in the sorrow of the Druze community at the loss of their precious children.)
We ended our day in the North on the border with Syria, looking down from the Golan Heights; in his first term, President Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over this area. Standing there, it’s clear why the area is so strategic and critical to Israel’s security. As we know, Syria is in a time of tremendous political uncertainty, and Israel is watching closely to see how the situation develops, both in Syria and Turkey.
(Looking out from the strategic Golan Heights into Syria.)
Today, we are heading south to visit communities on the Gaza border that were directly impacted on October 7th. More to come soon from Israel.
Matt Brooks
RJC CEO