PAGE 1 | MAY 20, 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com Want to be seen? Advertise Here HEBREWWATCHMAN.COM 9 SIVAN, 5781 MAY 20, 2021 VOL. 99, NO. 36 What is the Iron Dome? All about the missile defense system that changed how Israelis experience war a box, tilted onto their side and placed first approved in 2007, and shot down its on wheels. first missiles in 2011. Each Iron Dome But the technology that makes it so interceptor costs an estimated $40,000, valuable is a radar that is able to pick and in prolonged conflicts with Hamas, bombs out of the sky. The Iron Dome’s Israel uses it hundreds of times. radar technology, manufactured in the As of 2018, the U.S. spent more than United States, works in four steps: $6 billion on missile defense aid to Is- First, it identifies projectiles in the rael, which covers Iron Dome and oth- sky. Then, it determines whether the er, similar systems. In the middle of the projectile is a bird, an airplane or a Gaza War in 2014, the Obama adminis- bomb. Then comes the most crucial tration provided $225 million in aid to part: It determines the arc of the missile, fund the system’s continued operation. which allows it to find both the target In 2018, the Trump administration pro- and the missile launcher. Then, if the vided another $705 billion. missile is headed toward a populated It means Israelis can (kind of) contin- area, the system directs its own bomb to ue to live their lives during a war. The Iron Dome interceptors (left) meet a volley of missiles from Gaza intercept the missile and explode it be- Before the Iron Dome, Israelis had to (right) on May 14, 2021. Credit: Anas Baba/AFP via Getty Images fore it lands. rely on warning sirens and bomb shel- The entire process is automatic ters to protect them, which gave them, By Ben Sales and takes a couple minutes, an Israeli in some cases, a matter of seconds to (JTA) – Overnight between last survive, and even live their lives, in the weapons manufacturer told the Jewish find shelter. Thursday and Friday, an arresting image midst of an unending barrage of rocket Telegraphic Agency in 2013. The bat- As Palestinian militants’ missiles be- appeared on social media: On the right, fire from militant groups in Gaza. teries can be moved around or stationed came more precise and traveled farther streaks of fire shot out into the night sky As of May 14, eight Israeli civilians permanently in one location. distances, targeting not just Gaza bor- – rockets heading for a group of build- have died in the week’s fighting, and Is- It isn’t foolproof. Hamas has sent bar- der cities but Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, ings illuminated in the darkness. raelis still need to run to bomb shelters rages of more than 100 rockets in a short the Iron Dome played an increasingly But on the other side of the photo, when under fire. But the Iron Dome has span of time at individual cities, which essential role for a growing number of another cluster of lights, spread out like intercepted 90% of Gaza rockets that means that, even if Iron Dome is 90% Israelis. the tentacles of a jellyfish, was there to were headed toward populated areas, effective, some bombs get through. And It was first deployed in 2011, and was meet each of the rockets and knock it rendering the vast majority of the more even when the system catches the rock- used constantly in Israel’s conflicts with down before it could cause any damage. than 2,000 rockets fired by militant ets, shrapnel still falls to the ground. Gaza in 2012, 2014 and since. The photo captured the Iron Dome, groups ineffective. That’s why Israelis still run to shelters While Israelis still run for cover ev- a missile defense system introduced in Here’s what the Iron Dome is, how it every time sirens go off, warning of in- ery time a siren wails, and while civil- Israel a decade ago that has fundamen- works – and why its success has sparked coming missiles. ians are still killed, the Iron Dome has tally changed how its wars are fought. criticism of Israel. It was built and maintained with U.S. allowed society to continue functioning The Iron Dome is a radar-guided tool Iron Dome uses radars to stop incom- funding. at a lower risk. But as Hamas’ missile that allows Israel to pinpoint and inter- ing missiles. The Iron Dome was built and has technology improves, it’s possible that cept missiles headed for its civilian ar- On the ground, the Iron Dome looks been maintained with billions of dollars eas, which enables ordinary Israelis to like a set of beige columns arranged in in funding from the United States. It was (see Dome page 2) Plough Towers receives Plough Foundation grant By Harleen Tague Plough Towers seeks to provide safe, 2020 Plough Towers Executive affordable housing for diverse and qual- Board: ified elderly and mobility impaired per- sons in an environment that enhances Leigh Hendry, executive director; self-worth, dignity and encourages their Laurie Scheidt, vice president; full use of skills, intelligence and expe- Harleen Tague, treasurer; David rience. Building upon this mission state- Krueger, past president; Jason ment, Plough Towers strives to offer Salomon, president; Scott Vogel, residents a secure, nurturing environ- presidential appointee; not ment where they may age in place and pictured, Steve Baer, secretary. be able to live there as long as possible. To help residents age in place, Plough Towers is excited to announce that it has received a very generous gift from the Plough Foundation that will pay for the petence and dedication of the staff and said Leigh Hendry, Plough Towers ex- gift that not only benefits our residents modernization and conversion of all the board who work so hard to ensure the ecutive director. “Further thanks to our here today but benefits the residents that residents’ bathtubs to walk-in showers. facility is preparing for the future health Plough Towers executive committee will move into Plough Towers years Diane Rudner, chairman of the board of all its residents.” and the staff who saw the need to move from now.” of trustees of the Plough Foundation, “We are so grateful for this very gen- us into the future and help our residents The staff, board of directors and resi- and granddaughter to Mr. Abe Plough erous gift that will not only help cur- age in place safer and make their lives dents appreciate the Plough Foundation announced, “This grant reflects the rent residents but sustain the future of easier. I am so proud of the team effort for all their support, not only to Plough pride the Foundation has in the com- Plough Towers for all future residents,” to bring this to fruition. This is truly a Towers, but to the entire community! HW PAGE 2 | MAY 20, 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com Dome similarly lopsided: nearly 1,400 Pales- (Continued from page 1) tinians and 13 Israelis. Still, along with accusing Israel of the Iron Dome could become less effec- targeting civilians in its strikes, critics tive. of Israeli actions say that the lack of As of now, though, Israelis are grate- protections in Gaza leads to an unjust ful. During the 2014 war, Israelis could divide. Rep. Ilhan Omar called Israeli Established September, 1925 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: buy a T-shirt in the “I love NY” style airstrikes “terrorism” and lamented on By Leo I. Goldberger (1902-1989) Memphis and Mid-South $36 that replaced “NY” with a picture of an Out-of-State $50 Twitter this week that Palestinians did Payable in Advance Iron Dome battery. MAILING ADDRESS not have Iron Dome. UPS STORE: C/O THW Gaza does not have an equivalent sys- “Israeli air strikes killing civilians in 1138 N. Germantown Pkwy. Ste.101 Submissions tem for its population. Gaza is an act of terrorism,” she tweeted P.O. Box 353 Send editorial submissions While Israelis love the Iron Dome last Monday. “Palestinians deserve pro- Cordova, TN 38016-5872 (calendar items, news releases, for protecting them from bombs, Pal- Offi ce: 901.763.2215 event photos, and letters to the tection. Unlike Israel, missile defense Direct: 901.827.7244 editor) at least 9 days prior to estinians and their advocates have said programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t ex- publication date to that the system creates a disparity in the ist to protect Palestinian civilians.” [email protected] [email protected] fighting: Gaza residents have no such Israeli officials say the fact that Israel protection from Israeli airstrikes, such Susan C. Nieman Advertising has invested in alliances and technology Editor and Publisher that Palestinian death tolls are consis- For advertising rates and specs, that protect their citizenry should not be contact Larry at 901.299.7376 or tently far higher in Gaza during conflicts. cause for blame. Rebecca Miller [email protected] During this conflict, more than 100 “The fact that there aren’t more casu- Social Media Director Palestinians and nine Israelis have died. alties in Israel does not mean that Hamas Web Development Simchas Weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, In the 2014 conflict, more than 2,100 Pal- isn’t trying to kill Israeli civilians,” the Larry Nieman estinians and more than 70 Israelis died. birthdays, engagement, Israel Defense Forces tweeted last Fri- Advertising Sales Director anniversaries But in the previous war in Gaza, day morning.