Sergey Kadinsky

Written Works

This article was written in the Summer of 2006, as a Media Fellow at the Jerusalem office of The Israel Project

Defending Israel’s

Northern Borders

June 28, 2006

After a relative lull in the fighting, the borders of Israel reignited as Qassam rockets fell on the southern border community of Sderot. As protests among community residents grew, so did the call for Defense Minister Amir Peretz to send forces into Gaza to destroy the sources of the Qassam missiles.

On the northern border, the residents of the Misgav Am kibbutz can certainly relate to the rocket attacks, infiltrations, and kidnappings that have been plaguing the Gaza border. I began my tour of this community at its northernmost point, a lookout above the Lebanese village of Addaiseh. Before we discussed the conflict, my guide Arieh ben Yaakov, described the geologic and economic backgrounds of Misgav Am. Located 2700 feet above sea level on the Afro-Syrian rift, the mountains of Naftali present breathtaking views of the Hula Valley and southern Lebanon. “On a clear day, we can see the Mediterranean Sea,” ben Yaakov states. The northern lookout post is located feet away from the Blue Line, which is the internationally recognized border between Lebanon and Israel. There are no concrete walls, with non-lethal electric shocks, and sentry cameras lining the fence to prevent unauthorized crossings. The barren Lebanese hills stand in contrast to the pines planted by the Jewish National Fund around the kibbutz.

The history of the Blue Line dates back to the 1923 Sykes-Picot Agreement, where the French took mandate over Lebanon, and the British received Palestine. Describing how the snaky border was mapped out, ben Yaakov believes that the British had the advantage. “While Mr. Picot stayed in his office, Mr. Sykes took a field trip to map out the best water sources and peaks. He then treated his French counterpart to some wine, and the treaty was signed.” Like the Green Line, the Blue Line received its name from the pen color used in establishing the border. As part of a campaign to secure the claim to the border, in November 1945, land was purchased by the Jewish National Fund and a kibbutz was set up. According to ben Yaakov, “In our early years, there were few problems with our neighbors, with many residents traveling to their villages to trade and purchase goods.” It was not until 1953 that a road connecting Misgav Am to Qiryat Shemona allowed automobiles to bring up goods to the community.

As the number of Palestinian refugees and Shiite militant groups grew in Lebanon, the placid socialist kibbutz was increasingly becoming a target for Lebanese attacks. The situation escalated in 1980, when a Lebanese double spy infiltrated the kibbutz during a blackout. Along with five terrorists, the spy killed the kibbutz electrician, secretary, and a child. As a hostage crisis unfolded, the Israelis sent in an impersonator to play the part of the Romanian ambassador, as elite soldiers took positions around the nursery. “Today, things are quieter here,” claims resident Bezalel Lev Tov. “Once in a while Sheikh Nasrallah wakes up and lobs a few rockets at Israel, to remind his followers that he is still fighting the Zionist enemy.”

Above the quiet Lebanese villages, a UNIFIL helicopter monitors the landscape, making sure that both sides are quiet. Ben Yaakov describes the region as the “Wild West of Lebanon.” Following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region, the allied South Lebanon Army also withdrew, unable to maintain control over the restive region. Likewise, the Lebanese government has also been unable to assert its control in the region. “See that village below? Plenty of yellow Hezbollah flags, but not one sign of Lebanon,” ben Yaacov points out. Though most kibbutz residents opposed the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, Ben Yaakov supported it. At the same time, he declares, “The Hezbollah must know that Misgav Am is here to stay.” Pointing to a mountain within a quarter mile of the kibbutz, Ben Yaacov recalls that it was once topped by an antenna. After a rocket attack in 2000, the antenna was destroyed by Israel.  Describing life in the Lebanese villages, he is dismayed at the lack of outrage at Hezbollah’s suicidal policies. “Most local Christians have fled, and anyone who supports Israel is killed. At some point, Arab public opinion must change- ‘Stop this crap, it’s not going to work,” in regards to the rocket attacks on Israel.

Both ben Yaakov and Lev Tov expressed disappointment at the transition of the kibbutz away from socialism. “The Likud turned off the flow of money, sending it to the settlements,” ben Yaacov states. Lev Tov adds, “Privatized banks began demanding that kibbutzim repay their debts.”  However, there is a silver lining. Prior to the transition, fellow residents scolded Lev Tov for not working hard enough, but as an artist he is now one of the kibbutz’s wealthier residents. Alongside the apples, pears, and wine, there are now new houses being built on the kibbutz, capitalizing on the breathtaking views. To be safe, these homes face towards the Galilee.

The relative isolation of the community also affects its religious outlook. Describing himself as a descendant of hasidim, Lev Tov maintains regular Shabbat services, but also states that most residents are not Orthodox, and keep some traditions. Within his studio, artworks related to Kabbalah hang alongside photos of the last Lubavitcher rebbe. Being located on a tectonic plate boundary also means plenty of interesting geologic finds. “Before the world was created, it was destroyed a few times over in trial stages,” Lev Tov claims, stating a Kabbalistic teaching.

As Israel continues to defend itself against Hamas, there is a possibility of a targeted strike against Damascus, Syria. This is where Khaled Mashaal, the supreme leader of Hamas resides. Such an attack could lead to katyusha attacks from Hezbollah. A veteran of the battles for Jerusalem, Sinai, and Lebanon, ben Yaakov has good knowledge of the enemy. “I have lived here since making aliyah in 1961, we are surrounded by military bases and dotted with bomb shelters. We are prepared.”

For more photos behind this article, click on the photo above

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