International Fellowship of Christians and Jews donates mobile command center to Jerusalem

Rabbi Exkstein and Mayor Barkat converse in front of Jerusalem's new mobile command center
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and Mayor Nir Barkat converse in front of Jerusalem’s new mobile command center

JERUSALEM (Press Release) Israel’s capital city is now being protected by a state-of-the-art, high-tech forward command vehicle, thanks to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship).

The Fellowship’s founder and president, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, joined Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat last week to dedicate the vehicle, which will respond to terror attacks and other violence against the city. The $375,000 state-of-the-art mobile command-and-control vehicle will help Jerusalem security forces confront security threats and other emergencies in real time, enabling coordinated and rapid responses to fast-moving events in the field. The vehicle is equipped with high-tech communications equipment, can function in a variety of weather and terrain, and is also operable by remote control. The mobile command post is similar to the stationary municipal command centers that The Fellowship helped to build in 65 towns throughout Israel.

The forward command vehicle is part of The Fellowship’s overall response to the wave of terror that hit Israel over the last year. The Fellowship became the first organization to offer direct financial aid to Israeli victims, awarding NIS 4,000, or about $1,040, to scores of Israelis to help pay for medical care or lost wages. Funding for The Fellowship’s initiatives have been made possible by the generous donations of Christians worldwide.

During a dedication ceremony last week, Barkat said the specially outfitted vehicle allows the city to integrate municipal and security forces in the defense against terrorism. “Our ability to bring command and control to relevant spots saves lives,” Barkat said in a special ribbon-cutting event. “I know without a doubt that this vehicle is exactly what Jerusalem needs at this time.”

The mayor approached The Fellowship for help in securing the vehicle, so “when he does make a request, I know it’s important.” Eckstein said. Barkat “told me there’s no other place in Israel that has this type of vehicle with this type of ability. The truth is I didn’t believe there could be a city without a vehicle that could organize all of the information.”

Ultimately, Eckstein added, “I proudly represent hundreds of thousands of Christian donors throughout the world who continually remind Israelis that they are not alone and who support the Jewish state in its most challenging hours.”