Defense forces hope Jewish supporters of Israel from around the world will help it purchase workout rooms, medical clinics and clubhouses.
By YAAKOV KATZIDF lone soldiers 521(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Each IDF branch has a book with the list of weapons, ammunition, gear and military platforms it would like to buy which it pulls out every year ahead of budget discussions.While these books are classified and banned from publication, the IDF is currently considering posting one of its so-called “wish lists” on the Internet for the whole world to see. This wish list though is not of weapons or aircraft but is of workout rooms, medical clinics and clubhouses that the IDF hopes rich Jewish supporters of Israel from around the world will donate money to buy over the coming decade.RELATED:IDF looks to buy US equipment after withdrawal from IraqIDF in buying spree in anticipation of SeptemberCalled Dream 2020, the book was compiled by the IDF’s Manpower Directorate together with the Libi Fund and the Association for the Welfare of Israeli Soldiers, which both work in conjunction with the American-based Friends of the IDF.According to a senior IDF officer, the wish list is valued at NIS 1.3 billion.“It is our goal for the coming decade with everything we would like to have built or purchased,” the officer said.Donations for the IDF from overseas can only go to welfare or medical projects like workout rooms for soldiers or medical centers.The officer said that the decision to post the book online was pending due to some sensitivity regarding the publication of the location of some of the bases.
