The Northern Borders of Israel have always been plagued by constant conflict, whether or not Israel chose to be involved. Although each of the northern borders have gone through times of war and trouble, today Lebanon poses an immediate threat to Israel, and it seems that Syria may pose a longer and even more devastating problem for Israel. We met up with Media Director of Alma Education Center, Major Avraham Levine. He lead us to an old bunker on the Israeli-Syrian border. Here, our whole group was taken into an abandoned, bombed out cement pillbox and were told the story of 26 soldiers who had to hide in the structure while the Syrians invaded Israel in 1973. Together they had to find a way to survive injuries they had sustained from gunfire and grenades while also remaining completely silent. If the Syrians were to find them, it would mean death for every one of them. They had to wait four days before they were rescued. 23 of the men survived while the others died from their injuries.
All over Israel you can find deserted bunkers, tanks, and military vehicles from wars in the decades behind us. Each of these machines and shelters have a story of the Israeli soldiers who once inhabited and fought in them. The story of the soldiers hiding from the Syrians made me think of why the Israeli government decides to leave these war relics on display around the entire country. The people of Israel and Jews all over the world are in constant celebration that we live in a time where we can visit and live in a historically Jewish land, free from prosecution and anti-semitism. The military artifacts are a reminder to those visiting and living in Israel that although we have managed to reach a goal that has been 2,000 years in the making, it all came to us with an immeasurable cost. We traded having a safe haven for all people with the indescribably priceless toll of human life. Although now we are able to rejoice in the state of Israel, we must always remember those who gave their lives in exchange for our freedom.