Aussies join American Friends of the IDF mission
Supporters from Australia joined more than 100 leaders and supporters of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) from all walks of life, representing communities from across the U.S., for the FIDF National Leadership Mission to Israel last week.
The mission held earlier this month brought together members of FIDF’s 15 U.S. chapters and supporters from other countries around the world to get a rare glimpse into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and show their appreciation for Israel’s brave soldiers. Mission participants received in-depth briefings by senior military officers, met with state leaders – including Israeli President Reuven Rivlin – and toured strategic IDF bases to get a behind-the-scenes look into the Israeli military, and experience Israel in an entirely new way.
“Now, more than ever, we stand side-by-side with the brave and courageous men and women of the IDF,” said FIDF National President and National Leadership Mission Chairman Peter Weintraub. “By bringing more than 100 supporters to Israel for a week of solidarity with Israel and the IDF soldiers, we tell them, in one united voice, that we love them and will support them with everything we have.”
Joining the FIDF National Leadership Mission were Weintraub and FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir.
The group of FIDF leaders heard first-hand from combat soldiers serving on Israel’s front lines; walked through a pivotal Iron Dome Battery in the South of Israel that helped defend civilians from thousands of rocket attacks; met with soldiers serving in counter-terrorism and search and rescue units; toured FIDF-sponsored well-being and educational facilities on IDF bases, including the IDF Training Campus in the Negev, which is still under construction; met beneficiaries of FIDF programs, including Lone Soldiers and FIDF IMPACT! scholarship recipients; celebrated at the annual FIDF “Salute to the IDF” event; and visited the Ovda Air Force Base near Egypt to meet F-16 pilots.
Sydney-based Sam and Barbara Linz were on the mission.
Barbara Linz told J-Wire: “It was unlike any other mission we had been on before. We learned at close quarters how difficult it is to have to defend all of Israel’s borders. We spent a lot of time with the young soldiers and shared mealtimes with them. It’s amazing the responsibilities which lie on their young shoulders…but that’s what they have to do.”