What I Learned from Joining a Mission with Israel's Elite Police Unit

It’s one thing to read about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians; it’s a whole different reality when you’re on the ground, watching it in front of your eyes. I had the rare opportunity to join an operation with Yasam, an elite unit of the Israeli police.

Interviewing Yasam Samaria commander during mission (Courtesy)

Let’s be clear: the media will show you headlines of Palestinian children throwing rocks at armored Israeli vehicles and make it look like a David versus Goliath scenario. The reality, however, is far more complex, disturbing, and yes, revealing of the moral bankruptcy on one side of this conflict.

As we entered the Palestinian village of Al Mughayyir, near Ramallah, the hostility was felt. This village is a hub for rioters and terrorists, notorious for its stone-throwing youth who target Israeli civilians driving nearby. It’s not just pebbles or small stones, but large, potentially lethal rocks that can kill. These are not just mischievous kids acting out; they are the product of a society that has indoctrinated them with a hatred so deep it can only be described as evil.

I saw young boys and girls, no older than my own niece and nephew, throwing rocks at us while chanting in Arabic. You don’t learn that kind of hatred overnight. It’s something taught and cultivated, probably from the moment these children could understand words. It is not surprising. Palestinian schools teach children that Israel does not exist, they portray Israeli forces as evil and incite violence from young age. They are the tragic outcome of a community where schools, media, and even parents glorify violence against Jews as a form of resistance. Right next to the children I saw teenagers and other adults who, instead of stopping their children from carry out an act of violence, joining them.

But let’s not mince words: this is not some noble cause. It’s not resistance; it’s child abuse. These kids are being used as pawns in a war they can barely understand. And for what? To maintain a perpetual state of victimhood and to keep the flames of hatred burning? It’s an incitement that should disgust anyone who values life and peace. As we were driving through the village, more and more teenagers were seen filming us and throwing rocks at us.

I stood with the men of Yasam, trained in counterterrorism, riot control, and tactical operations. As they moved through the village, making arrests and restoring order, what struck me was their professionalism. Here's what the media won’t tell you: these men aren’t driven by hate. They’re not out for revenge. They’re motivated by love for their country and a strong desire to protect the innocent—both Jews and Arabs.

Yasam Samaria standing after mission near Ramallah (Courtesy)

They operate not out of a desire to kill, but to save lives. And let’s not kid ourselves—this is necessary. When these special police units enter a hostile village, they do so because they know that if they don’t, it won’t be long before those rocks become Molotov cocktails, and those Molotov cocktails become suicide vests. If there’s any hope for peace, it begins with stopping the violence before it escalates.

I had the chance to speak with some of these officers and learned that their mission is far more than just catching bad guys. They’re out there preventing the next October 7th massacre, the kind that Hamas was able to carry out in southern Israel. They’re not just protecting Jews; they’re protecting everyone—Muslims, Christians, anyone who calls Israel home. The fact that there are Muslim officers in the unit only underscores this point. Israel is a democracy where all citizens are supposed to live without fear, where the rule of law applies to everyone.

Palestinian demonstrators burn tyres and throw rocks in the West Bank, Palestinian Territories, May 15,2021 (Shutterstock)

And here’s the irony that might shock you: while Palestinian children are being incited to hate and attack, Israeli forces are trained to protect, even if it means risking their own lives. They are Israel’s living bulletproof vests, the guardians who ensure that the innocent can live without fear of being targeted by a rock, a bomb, or a bullet.

As I stood there, watching the operation unfold, I couldn’t help but think of the words from the Book of Proverbs, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The verse is usually quoted in a positive light, but here, in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it’s tragically twisted. These Palestinian children are being trained not in the ways of peace, but in the ways of violence. And unless something changes, they will not depart from it.

Commander of Yasam Samaria managing the mission (Courtesy)

But let me offer some hope: the men and women of Yasam and other Israeli forces make sure that people in Judea and Samaria can sleep well at night. They’re on the front lines, ensuring that families can live without constant fear. Their presence means that Israeli children can go to school, parents can drive to work, and communities can thrive, knowing someone is always watching, always ready to protect. They give people the peace of mind that, no matter what, they won’t be left defenseless. And let's face it, if you lived in an area where stones and Molotov cocktails are thrown at you - you would want them to defend you.

So, what did I learn from joining a mission with Israel's elite police unit? I saw that the real story here is not one of oppression, but of protection. It’s not about Jewish versus Arab, but about good versus evil, civilization versus barbarism. And while the world may not always see it, there are brave souls on the front lines ensuring that the light of Israel continues to shine, even in the darkest of times.

In the end, it’s not about land, borders, or politics. It’s about life, the most precious gift of all, and the lengths to which these men will go to protect it. And for that, I thank them.

Watch the full video I made while I was with them: