How Operation Good Neighbor Directed Israeli Aid to Syrians in Need

 In the wake of the Arab Spring pro-democracy protests, Syrian cities witnessed widespread opposition to the leadership of President Bashar Assad. The conflict caused displacement and a crisis that led the Israel Defense Forces to establish Operation Good Neighbor. 

In March 2011, Assad responded to the demonstrations by ordering soldiers to fire live ammunition at the crowds, causing numerous casualties and instigating a civil war. In the decade following, a large-scale displacement and refugee crisis emerged as arial and tank bombardment destroyed entire neighborhoods. Civilians suffered hundreds of thousands of deaths, and millions of Syrians became displaced.

Situated in a high valley of the Golan Heights, near the Israeli border, Quneitra emerged as a stronghold of local opposition to the Assad regime. Cut off from medical care and food supplies, those living in the area endured life in tents across open fields under harsh natural elements.

In 2013, a Syrian civilian who had sustained injuries approached soldiers at the Syria-Israel border, seeking medical assistance from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). At that time, lacking any policy directive, the commander at the post made an executive decision to provide the injured civilians with humanitarian care. From that moment on, the IDF Northern Command provided similar aid nearly every day. In June 2016, the IDF formally established Operation Good Neighbor.

The first aid operation directed from the new headquarters occurred in August 2016. Within four years, it carried out over 100 operations. The operations spanned three primary missions: the delivery of medical supplies and equipment across the border to civilians in need, the transportation of Syrians requiring critical medical care to facilities in Israel, and the establishment of a field hospital in the border area. In addition, the IDF oversaw the construction of two clinics near Quneitra. Its operations became a collaborative effort between locals and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The field clinic, Camp Ichay, provided treatment for everyday medical issues. Operations also focused on transporting fuel, water, generators, and aid packages that included infant nutrition, warm clothes, shoes, and flour for bakeries.

Aid reached almost 400 families residing in tents along the Israel-Syria border and was distributed among 200,000 residents across southwestern Syria’s Hauran region. With one-third of aid recipients characterized as displaced, 50 percent were under 18. In the first four years of operations, 600 Syrian children, accompanied by mothers, traveled to Israel for critical care.

In 2017, the Chief Medical Officer of the Northern Command, Col. Dr. Noam Fink, described the operations as “one of the most significant efforts to treat those in need that I have ever witnessed.” In return, one of the aid recipients cared for in an Israeli hospital wrote, “To any Syrians that think that Israel is our enemy – you are wrong.”

The grassroots communications and the funds and relief supplies contributed by ordinary Israelis underscored the remarkable effectiveness of Operation Good Neighbor in improving relations between the two countries. The Israeli government had long characterized Syria as an “enemy of the state,” while the Syrian government painted Jewish people as mortal enemies. As IDF reserve Lieutenant Colonel Eyal Dror, a fluent Arabic speaker, described it, “For years, Syrians were educated and brainwashed to hate the State of Israel, even though they did not know us. For us and for Syria, this was something very new, and for Syrians, this wasn’t easy.”

Before Operation Good Neighbor ended in September 2018, due to heightened security concerns, IDF members undertook a risky mission that rescued civil defense group members known as White Helmets. The civil defense group consisted of medical and emergency personnel deemed traitors by the Assad regime. They were in grave danger when Assad reclaimed control over territory in the Hauran region.

What Does Frontier Alliance International Do?

 Frontier Alliance International (FAI) is a Christian organization formed nearly ten years ago in the wake of the tragic Syrian civil war. Guided by the principles of the Gospel and a profound connection with God, FAI is committed to delivering medical assistance, aiding in reconstruction efforts, and offering life-saving help in conflict-ridden regions. Their mission revolves around preserving humanitarian principles in demanding situations where individuals may encounter formidable challenges.

FAI has several initiatives in place to help manage crises in the crisis zones. One of these initiatives is the counter-trafficking initiative. This initiative targets cultures where the exploitation of women is condoned and even supported by religious leaders. They concentrate on rescuing and rehabilitating victims of sexual slavery while working to prevent such situations from happening in the first place.

They also assist people in areas affected by conflict and war. FAI plays a pivotal role, utilizing methods like humanitarian corridors and coordinated strategies to address the needs of vulnerable communities in these environments. They are instrumental in providing vital services such as food, medical assistance, and shelter. Furthermore, they help bring conflicting parties to agreements, creating corridors that help secure the safe passage of aid and humanitarian workers without putting them at direct risk from the ongoing conflict. A well-organized strategy for humanitarian relief is vital to ensure the swift and efficient delivery of aid to areas affected by war.

Additionally, FAI has a film series called "Covenant and Controversy". The series delves into the intricate relationship between Jewish culture and Christianity. It explores the historical contexts of anti-Semitism, questioning whether the church's biases contributed to tragic events like Auschwitz. The series also focuses on Jerusalem, a city historically burdened by conflicting ambitions. The controversy surrounding the city, marked by sin, war, and blasphemy, is intricately tied to Jesus Christ and its role as the City of the Great King. It traces the trajectory of Jewish persecution and triumph, spanning from the tragedy of Masada in the 1st century to the WWII rescue by Bulgarians. This historical narrative, linked to a prophesied era of peace, emphasizes the unity of Jewish messengers and the world's journey through a final tribulation toward lasting redemption.

The series, based on Jeremiah 31, anticipates a future where those who have received salvation from the sword will also be met with grace in the wilderness. The last two films in this comprehensive series are yet to be released.

FAI is dedicated to building the foundation for the Gospel in areas where it is absent, elevating the message of Jesus among those who have not been reached or engaged as we approach the apex of time. Since its inception in 2011, FAI teams have been actively establishing the groundwork in key areas. They collaborate in a focused and coordinated effort to penetrate the inner regions of our time where there is currently no religious presence.

FAI also has an initiative called 'Emmaus Online.' It is a nine-month training program offered by the Emmaus Institute of Israel and Middle East Studies. This program is open to individuals passionate about making a difference, providing comprehensive education on leadership and proactive engagement in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. For those seeking a shorter option, there's the Emmaus Intensive. It is a six-week course that imparts essential "leadership literacies" while offering a contextual understanding of the region's political, historical, theological, and religious dynamics amid continuous flux.

Operation Good Neighbor - A Well-Remembered Humanitarian Initiative

 In mid-March 2011, demonstrations occurred across Syrian cities in opposition to the authoritarian regime in the country. Soldiers subsequently fired live ammunition on peaceful crowds at the command of Syrian President Bashar Assad, leaving dozens of casualties and instigating a civil war. Since then, the fighting has caused hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths and led to the displacement of millions of people, triggering a massive refugee and displacement crisis. In response to this crisis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Good Neighbor.

Israeli aid organizations had engaged in occasional relief efforts since the civil war’s beginning, but the need for a dedicated Israeli operation became apparent in 2013 after a few wounded Syrians arrived at the Israel-Syria border seeking emergency medical assistance. The IDF subsequently began providing Syrian civilians with medical supplies in exchange for intelligence on any terrorist activity, but the humanitarian elements grew in scale as a consensus of a moral obligation to help formed. In 2016, the IDF formally established Operation Good Neighbor.

Through Operation Good Neighbor, the IDF's Northern Command spearheaded humanitarian efforts to aid refugees, internally displaced persons, and war-impacted communities on the Syrian side of the Israel-Syria border. It also facilitated cooperation between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian charities to help Syrians.

Operation Good Neighbor's humanitarian work focused on three areas. First, it delivered medical supplies and equipment to civilians across the border, transported people in need of critical medical care to Israeli hospitals, and established a field hospital near the border. Moreover, the IDF oversaw the construction of two clinics within Syria to expand treatment capabilities. Nongovernmental organizations and locals ran these clinics to care for those living near the Syrian city of Quneitra.

Operation Good Neighbor also provided civilian aid by distributing food, clothing, and baby supplies. Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the IDF delivered over 350 tons of food. The program’s third objective consisted of supporting infrastructure efforts through the transfer of generators, fuel for heating, water pipes to rebuild infrastructure, and equipment for setting up a temporary school.

While conducting these humanitarian efforts, the IDF maintained readiness by monitoring evolving military dynamics near Israel's border with Syria. Before Operation Good Neighbor disbanded, its members conducted a mission to rescue the White Helmets, a civil defense group comprising volunteer medical and emergency professionals. Labeled as terrorists and traitors by Assad's regime, the group had been attacked after Assad reclaimed control of territory on the Syrian side of the border. In September 2018, Operation Good Neighbor ceased its humanitarian operations due to the heightened danger.

What made Operation Good Neighbor а one-of-a-kind initiative was that it provided humanitarian relief to Syrian civilians despite poor diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Syrian government has long vilified Israeli and Jewish people, and the Israeli government considers Syria an enemy of the state in return. Operation Good Neighbor's humanitarian impact resonated with Syrian and Israeli communities. Many Israelis donated money and relief supplies, while others volunteered to deliver aid to Syrian civilians in the Golan Heights. Additionally, expressions of gratitude from Syrians who received assistance through the initiative indicate a shift in perspectives among the Syrian people of their neighboring country.

Tips to Help Aspiring Missionaries Prepare for Missionary Work

 Based in Jackson, Wyoming, Frontier Alliance International has a mission to spread the gospel globally, especially in the conflict zones in the Middle East. The organization aims to equip those with the gospel and reach those who don’t have the gospel. Frontier Alliance International uses missionaries to establish biblical foundations in far-flung areas as part of its mission.

Getting the conviction to become a missionary is an exciting period in a Christian’s life. Missionaries require the right tools and knowledge to evangelize in regions where the gospel hasn’t been preached. Aspiring missionaries should prepare their hearts by learning to hear God’s voice, as it is the primary source of guidance. Delving deep into scripture and allowing God to demonstrate how to apply it helps missionaries rely on a biblical approach to manage their lives and remain joyous in his presence. Jesus is a perfect example of a missionary. His Father sent him to accomplish a mission on earth, but he still maintained close ties with his Father.

Before going on long-term missionary trips, missionaries can begin with short-term missions to familiarize themselves with mission work. This way, it’s possible for new missionaries to gain hands-on experience by interacting with missionaries as well as learn from their experiences. For instance, short-term mission trips enable aspiring missionaries to see the joys and struggles of mission work, understand how God sustains missionaries, and allow new missionaries to learn how to adapt and evangelize in new cultures.