Israelis Weigh in on Controversy

The controversial training in community policing has come and gone successfully.  Fifteen men and women, some of them police officers and the others civilians employed in various areas of the public and private sectors, will now be able to move into various communities armed with the knowledge of building stronger relationships.  The course was not administered by members of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence service, nor was it held by the Sayeret Matkal, its special forces.  In fact, the sessions were led by a two-man team of experts with extensive experience in community policing.  So, when they arrived in the country last Tuesday and were met with placards and protest outside of the police training academy in Belmopan we were curious to find out what they thought about the demonstration?  That’s what we asked Dr. Eran Israel earlier today.

Isani Cayetano

“What was your initial reaction coming here knowing that there was objection from certain areas of society?”

Dr. Eran Israel, Instructor

Dr. Eran Israel

“First of all, when we had the opening ceremony we met a demonstration outside of the police academy.  It was like fifteen people shouting.  Most of the arguments were not really true, not really based on something which means it’s nothing.  I think that the Belizean people should have all the knowledge, openly answer questions.  Nobody asked us.  It wasn’t really disturbing because it’s a small minority [and] they have their own reason to lie, because they are lying.  We are here for community policing and not anything else, and it was funny.  If you want to learn about what is happening on the other side of the globe, please learn and open your eyes.  By shouting, you are not teaching anyone, you are not giving information.  Usually it’s not correct.  First of all, we enjoyed being in Belize.  We respect everyone’s opinion and if someone doesn’t know enough please come and ask and learn, that’s what we all do openly.”