How green was my valley

In Gaza, he never had the time to think of home. The Islamic Jihad and the Hamas always kept the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on their toes....

In Gaza, he never had the time to think of home. The Islamic Jihad and the Hamas always kept the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on their toes. But here in Rajar, at Israel’s northern-most outpost in the Bekka Valley, Shalom Manlun only has to keep an eye on Hizbollah positions across the border in Lebanon. The Hizbollah has been relatively quiet, so Shalom lets his mind wander home: The road outside the Kangla Fort, the good times he had with friends at the DM College in Imphal, secretly glad his family has stayed away from the trouble on the streets.

Shalom Manlun is a Benei Menashe, believed to be one of the lost tribes of Israel, and scattered across Manipur and Mizoram. He’s one of the 800 from his tribe who have moved to Israel though the government in Jerusalem is not quite sure whether they should let in more. Those who are already here are mostly in the settlements.

‘‘Two of my uncles first came to Israel 10 years ago. I landed in Qiriyat Arba, south of Jerusalem, four years ago. I was in a seminary for some time. My brothers and sisters are still there in Manipur. I joined the IDF 18 months ago. I still have another two-and-half years to serve before I decide whether I opt for the Army or change career. I was posted in Gaza and we came here to Rajar a little over two months ago,’’ says Shalom.

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He can’t explain what prompted him to migrate. ‘‘It just happened, I did it. But it’s not as if I have severed links with Manipur. I took leave recently and went back home. I was told about the agitation over the Armed Forces Act, how it had affected life there. But I am sure it will all be sorted out and things will return to normal. I just hope my family remains safe.’’

Here in Rajar, it can get terribly lonely. It’s difficult to describe the place: It was a Syrian village of the Alawites — the Assads who rule Syria are also Alawites — before it was captured by Israel in the Six Day War of 1967. But part of Rajar today juts into Lebanon. Only a line painted on the street separates the two countries. The Lebanese Army is not allowed here, it’s Hizbollah territory. The Iranian-backed Shiite militia flag — it depicts a hand holding aloft a Kalashnikov — flutters in this part of south Lebanon and the UNIFIL, which currently has an Indian contingent stationed here, tries to keep the peace.

	Sharon offer on Gaza

			• GAZA: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told a high-profile security conference that he was ready to coordinate a planned pullout from Gaza with a moderate post-Arafat leader, likely to be Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, the Israeli Army raided South Gaza on Friday in response to increasing Palestinian mortar attacks, killing at least eight Palestinians and prompting hundreds to flee their homes. —Reuters

But Shalom and the IDF know they can’t let the relative peace lull them into taking it easy. Some 2,000 Hizbollah militia are always trying to test their state of preparedness. IDF officials claim Iran has armed the Hizbollah with over 10,000 Katyusha rockets. From Rajar, if you look east, you can see the Golan Heights occupied by Israel and overlooking Syria. ‘

‘If ever hostilities break out in the north, this is the area where Israel will be put to test. You will have both Syria and the Hizbollah coming after you,’’ admits an IDF official.

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On the Golan Heights, Israel has stationed some 3,000 tanks to counter the 4,500 tanks of the Syrians. Damascus is just 55 km away, barely an hour’s drive for the Israeli armour. Probably one reason why Syria doesn’t want to mess with Israel here. The IDF knows it will be militarily suicidal for them to vacate the Golan Heights. The Bekka Valley — the Israelis refer to it as the Hula Valley — will be totally exposed if the Syrians were to ever return to the Golan. This is why Shalom patrols the Bekka with his unit. He has only one regret: Shah Rukh Khan should have been here.