Despite the lessons of the guard of the walls: the National Guard enters a freeze Israel today

The establishment of the "Israeli National Guard", which was designed to strengthen internal security as a lesson from Operation Wall Guard, was halted during the term of office of outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid - this is what senior police sources told Israel Hayom.

A senior official told "Israel Hayom" that "virtually nothing has been done. Out of 2,000 skilled reservists, who are supposed to be the immediate 'punch punch' in times of emergency, only about 200 have been trained."

On June 14 of this year, then Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the departure of the Israeli guard as part of the border guard.

Its establishment, Bennett explained, follows the learning of the lessons learned from Operation Wall Guardian and to strengthen the internal security and personal security of the citizens of Israel.

It was also emphasized that "the Israeli Guard will be a skilled and trained force that will be able to operate in several arenas at the same time and deal with disturbances and emergency scenarios."

Lapid and Bennett.

The construction of the National Guard is delayed, photo: Oren Ben Hakon

It was also agreed that the Border Guard and the National Guard would consist of several forces, including the regular and permanent members of the Mageb, a force that was already supposed to be strengthened during this year to an unprecedented extent of hundreds of fighters; a re-established reserve force; and about 20 combat companies that already exist.

In the coming years, 26 combat companies equipped with advanced means were to be added, in light of the partial equipment of reserve companies in the Guard of the Walls. In addition to them, it was agreed that the guard would include a force of "Hademid" volunteers, about 8,000 people in the periphery, to be joined by about 1,500 volunteers in the years 2022-2023.

Between promises and reality

The main component of the National Guard is to be based on a new volunteer force called "front companies", which will consist of 1,000 reserve fighters by the end of the year and will be doubled to 2,000 fighters in 2023.

MGB soldiers in a display of purpose. The National Guard was supposed to be part of the corps, photo: Photo: Dodo Greenspan

The Falehod fighters are supposed to be skilled and available for immediate jump-in when dealing with disturbances in emergency scenarios, and to have combat equipment at home with the aim of significantly improving the emergency arrival times of the forces, until a massive mobilization of the MPG reserve units.

But promises and statements are separate, and reality is separate.

A senior source who spoke to "Israel Hayom" stated: "With Bennett, we led the process, and suddenly it fell apart. Lapid came, and to our great regret, everything stopped: the resources stopped, the allocations stopped."

The source added: "There was no one to manage it, Lapid could not pass budgets, and a budget for 2023 does not exist yet. That is why we are currently stuck."

"We hardly do anything"

In the meantime, the police are trying to maintain the existing.

The National Guard currently has a headquarters of about 50 commanders and only two divisions: an internal security division consisting of permanent and regular soldiers, numbering about 300 soldiers;

and the existing tactical division, whose mission is to deal with terrorist incidents and disturbances and to assist the police districts in times of crisis.

This division grew by only about 150 fighters.

Those who remain far behind are the "edge companies".

Out of 2,000 people, only 200 fighters have been trained so far due to budget constraints.

On top of that, ten more reserve companies should be formed for routine tasks of ongoing security.

Bennett with Commissioner Shabtai. The process has entered a freeze, photo: Noam Rivkin Fenton/Flash90

"We did almost nothing," admits a senior police source.

"We need to continue to establish the regular brigades and the reserve brigades that we have established. We need to reach 2,000 PLO fighters, and establish ten more reserve companies for operational employment."

All in all, say senior police officers, the National Guard should grow in three regular operational divisions, which will be able to operate effectively throughout the country.

"In order for this to happen, about 3,000 fighters must be added to the National Guard today," says a senior police officer.

The Prime Minister's Office responded: "This is a complete lie.

The establishment of the National Guard is a task led by the Ministry of Internal Security and the Israel Police." The bureau also stated: "The National Guard, by virtue of its role, is conducting an examination and monitoring of the implementation of the Prime Minister's directive.

were we wrong

We will fix it!

If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us