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NEW PATROL VEHICLES AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT PRESENTED TO COMMUNITY AND CIVIL GUARD UNIT OF ISRAEL POLICE

Purchased with Funds of the Israel Emergency Campaign of United Jewish Communities and the Jewish Federations of North America

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Accepts Equipment on behalf of Israeli Authorities

New York – December 16, 2002 – United Jewish Communities (UJC) and The Jewish Agency presented 39 new security vehicles and other emergency equipment to the Community and Civil Guard Division of the Israel Police on Thursday in Jerusalem.

The vehicles and other equipment, purchased with funds raised through the Israel Emergency Campaign of UJC and the Jewish Federations of North America, will allow Civil Guard officers throughout Israel to more effectively patrol communities and guarantee the public safety.

Besides the patrol vehicles, equipment including 400 state-of-the-art communication sets and 10 transmitters were also purchased and given to the Community and Civil Guard Division.

The vehicles and equipment were presented during a ceremony in Jerusalem attended by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.  Nearly 400 participants in the UJC "We Stand with Israel" Solidarity Mission last week, representing 20 North American Jewish communities, witnessed the presentation.

The Prime Minister, who accepted a ceremonial key to the vehicles from mission members from Philadelphia, addressed the critical importance of the Community and Civil Guard Division to citizen security, and underscored the essentialness of the Israel Emergency Campaign to Israelis. "We need you, we've always needed you, and we need you now more than ever," the Prime Minister said.

The Community and Civil Guard Division, Israel's largest volunteer organization, includes approximately 70,000 volunteers throughout the country who act as adjuncts to the police force in securing public safety and security and guarding against terrorist acts.

"This is a very important contribution to our infrastructure, to enable us to provide safety in our communities and cities, and to allow our citizens to continue to live normal lives," said Major General Esti Dominissini, head of the Community and Civil Guard Division.

UJC Mission Chairman Andrew Groveman, of the Memphis Jewish Federation, spoke on behalf of the Jewish Federations of North America and said the donated security vehicles are themselves symbols of solidarity between North American Jewry and Israelis.

"Unfortunately, our brothers and sisters here in Israel are on the frontlines of having to deal with the pain and anguish and everyday terror that is affecting so many lives," he said. "We are here to stand with you shoulder to shoulder and we offer you our love and support and through the Israel Emergency Campaign and these emergency vehicles, the ability to help enhance your power to protect the people of Israel."

North American Jewry and other supporters of Israel have to date pledged more than $328 million to the Israel Emergency Campaign, which provides economic, social, human welfare and other types of support to Israelis and victims of terror as they strive to lead normal lives during a period of extreme challenge and difficulty. The Israel Emergency Campaign, established in September 2001, also helps Argentinean Jews, many impoverished by their country's economic crisis, to immigrate to Israel.

For more information about the Israel Emergency Campaign, or to donate online, visit www.ujc.org. Information is also available by calling 1.800.966.4UJC. Donations may be sent to United Jewish Communities, Israel Appeal, P.O. Box 30, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113.

United Jewish Communities (UJC) represents 156 Jewish Federations and 400 independent communities across North America. Through the UJA Federation Campaign, UJC provides life-saving and life-enhancing humanitarian assistance to those in need, and translates Jewish values into social action on behalf of millions of Jews in hundreds of communities in North America, in towns and villages throughout Israel, in the former Soviet Union, and 60 countries around the world. Through the Israel Emergency Campaign, UJC and the Jewish Federations of North America, in cooperation with their overseas partners, The Jewish Agency and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, are providing economic, social, human welfare and other types of support to Israelis and victims of terror as they strive to lead normal lives during a period of extreme difficulty.