28 Kislev, 5762
Jerusalem

Jewish Agency Purchases 20 New Bulletproof Vehicles to Transport Children and the Elderly in Communities Under Fire
Gift of Jews and Christians From Abroad
Bulletproof Vehicles Bought by The Agency in the Past Have Already Saved Lives

The Jewish Agency is purchasing a fleet of 20 bulletproof vehicles to transport children from and the elderly of communities under fire.

The 13 million NIS ($3m) cost of these vehicles was paid for by donations by Jews from abroad. These vehicles are in addition to the 13 bulletproof vehicles (including two armored buses) which the Jewish Agency gave to confrontation line settlements in the beginning of the school year.

The vehicles will be given to the settlements according to criteria to be determined by security authorities. Some of the vehicles will be purchased in the US and Canada and will be outfitted with armor their according to Israeli standards.

Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor said that these gifts are proof of the deep-rooted identification which the Jewish People feel with Israel and its citizens who are under fire. Meridor said that at the beginning of the Palestinian violence and the shootings on the roads, the Jewish People mobilized and purchased bulletproof vehicles for residents of the confrontation area. These vehicles have already saved the lives of residents during a number of terror attacks. Yesterday's tragic attack near Emanuel settlement in Samaria, proves how essential armored vehicles are.

In the recent past the Jewish Agency had purchased 13 armored vehicles. Of these 11 were Chevrolet Savannas (at a cost of $140,000 each). They were paid for in full by donations. In addition the Agency purchased two Volvo buses (at a cost of $250,000). These were paid for by donations which were supplemented by the IDF Home Front Command. The cost of each new vehicle to be purchased is $160,000. Among the donors are Jewish communities, funds and individual Jewish donors in the United States, and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.