Beduin soldiers who will soon be serving on the front lines as trackers
completed their basic training phase with a grueling five-hour march on
Thursday.
Signicant numbers of Beduin youths continue to join the IDF,
where many put the age-old Beduin knowledge of maneuvering land on foot – gained
through a rich history of nomadic movements – in the service of Israel’s
national security.
Pvt. Kasem Juamis, of the Western Galillee village of
Zarzir, was one of the soldiers who completed the monthand- a-half basic
training this week, and was cited by his commanders for being the most
outstanding recruit.
“From here, we will go on to 3.5 months of advanced
training. Eventually, we will be spread out and join IDF forces on all the
borders to search for infiltrators,” Juamis told The Jerusalem Post last
week.
“We search for footprints, and then follow tracks until we catch up
with infiltrators,” he added.
“I enjoy being in the field,” he said. “We
Beduin know the territory well.”
Juamis said other youths from his
village have joined a variety of units in the security forces, including the
IDF’s Nahal and Golani Brigades, and the Border Police.
He expressed
pride over his citation, adding that his family joined him at the ceremony
marking the completion of basic training.
“What makes the Tracking Unit
such a quality force is the fact that its soldiers are exempt from conscription,
but choose to join anyway, on behalf of the State of Israel,” said Lt.-Col.
Zohir Falah, commander of the IDF Tracking School.
“The trackers undergo
professional training that helps them deal with every incident in the best way,
and to provide the fastest response.” The trackers have prevented many terrorist
infiltration attempts in the past.
“There are attempts to cross into
Israel every day,” Juamis said. “I feel we will be ready to stop them.”