The Lessons of Israel

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

If you're like me, you've spent the last few days aghast at what happened over the weekend, and is still happening now, in Israel. 

It is not my intent to talk about international politics, or the history between the Israeli people and the Palestinians. However, I hope we can all agree that kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder is obscene behavior regardless of who does it, and that civilians must never be targeted like that. If you disagree, then be advised you are endorsing several Grave Breaches of the Geneva Conventions -- in other words, the literal definition of War Crimes -- and as such your comments will be deleted and you will be forever banned from commenting on this blog. With that said, let's take a look at what is happening in Israel through a prepper's lens. 

Firearm Ownership

The private ownership of firearms is so highly regulated in Israel that it makes California or New York look unrestrained in comparison. For a comprehensive listing of those laws go here, but here are the highlights:

• A license is required to own any firearm. 
• To possess a license you must have lived in Israel for three years, pass a series of tests including physical health, mental health, and a criminal background check, and an in-person interview.
• You must have a "genuine reason" to own a firearm, such as needing it for a job or wanting it for self-defense. 
• If for self-defense, you are permitted to own one pistol and only 50 rounds of ammunition for it. It's my understanding that you can buy more to replace what is expended at the shooting range, but you can only possess 50 rounds at one time. 
• You need to renew this license every three years. If your license is not renewed you must surrender your firearm(s) to the police. 
• Only around 60% of all license permits are granted, which is odd in a nation that has mandatory military conscription for all citizens, male and female alike. 
• As a result of these attacks, the Israeli Minister of National Security has announced that he will loosen these restrictions... by doubling the amount of ammunition allowed, reducing the requirement of an in-person interview to a telephone interview, expediting the license process, and so forth. More information can be found on Stephen Gutowski's article on The Reload. 

With all this said, you can see why the civilian losses (over 800 at this point) were so horrific: once Hamas made it past the border, they had soft targets with few weapons. In fact, as my friend Jay Peterson says:

If the attack on the Tribe of Nova Music Festival alone was a mass shooting in the US, it would already be more deadly than the Las Vegas, Pulse nightclub, VA tech, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Uvalde, Ft. Hood, Columbine, Aurora, and Buffalo shootings.

Combined.

They're still finding bodies.

And that's just the festival. It doesn't include the rest of the attacks on Israel that began Saturday morning.

As of this moment, that death toll is at least 260. 

The lesson to be learned from all of this is just a reiteration of what I and other bloggers have been saying since we started this almost a decade ago: if you can at all do so, buy firearms for home and  self defense, learn how to use use them, get a concealed carry license when possible and carry whenever and wherever you can. You never know when someone will decide to kill you, so make it as difficult for them as possible. 

First Aid Kits

In a similar vein, carry a trauma kit with you so that you can treat the wounds of others, or even yourself. Take classes like Stop the Bleed and Red Cross First Aid so you know how to use these materials. This is another topic on which we've talked extensively; use the First Aid and First Aid Kits tags on this blog to learn more. 

Emergency Supplies

Finally, the Israeli Defense Force spokesman has told people to get 72 hours of supplies, pack them in a bag, and have an evacuation plan; essentially, "Build a Bug Out Bag and have a Bug Out Plan." When people started panicking at this, the government explained that they were just emphasizing something that's been a recommendation for years. As of this moment that link will result in an "Access Denied" unless you have a VPN that is set to show your location as Israel, likely to ease the traffic load and possibly make cyber attacks more difficult. 

Having read the site, it's pretty similar to our government's website on preparedness, www.ready.gov. I tend to forget that September is National Preparedness Month, because for me and the other bloggers here, every month is Preparedness Month. It's still a great resource for getting started, involving the kids, and perhaps even convincing recalcitrant adults to get involved ("The government says we should do this.")

And, much like over here, I know of at least one Israeli whose mother considers the idea of having an emergency stockpile of food and water "as if it was some kind of silly survivalist notion. You would think the distant rumble of artillery and the howl of fighter jets coursing overhead and the actual government recommendations to please get the food and water would be some kind of hint."

So please, Please, PLEASE learn these lessons of Israel:

• Be prepared to defend yourself and your family from harm. 
• Be prepared to render medical aid to yourself or others. 
• Be prepared with 72 hours of essential supplies. 
• Be prepared to evacuate. 

I would much rather have these preps and never need them than to need them and not have them. I hope you feel the same way, too.