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The IDF Bedouin Unit: Protecting Israel's Border, Advancing the Community
(Jerusalem Post) Udi Shaham - The IDF Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion protects the Israel-Gaza border and is a ticket for Israeli Arabs to enter Israeli society. 40% of the battalion are non-Bedouin Muslim Arabs, Christians and Circassians. While these soldiers can serve in other units, many Israeli Arabs do not speak Hebrew well enough to do so. Lt.-Col. David Ron, the commander of the battalion, said, "My battalion is more of a 'comfort zone' for them: They speak Arabic here and hang around with people who are more like them. But on the other hand, we are also a home for those who tried to join other units in the IDF, but it didn't work out. So instead of leaving completely, they can come here." Yet Ron stressed that whenever it comes to operational actions, speaking in Hebrew is mandatory. In addition, there is an entire educational and economic apparatus operating within the battalion. They study Hebrew at different levels as well as life skills, such as learning to go through a job interview or open a bank account.