By SQNLDR Bryce Meredith
SQNLDR Meredith
The NZDF’s contribution to Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands is well known, however little is known of New Zealand’s contribution to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in the Middle East.
By way of a short history lesson, UNTSO was established in 1948 to supervise the truce agreed at the conclusion of the first Arab/Israeli War and was the first peacekeeping mission established by the United Nations. There are 23 contributing nations providing a total of 148 military observers to monitor cease fires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating and assist other UN peacekeeping operations in the region.
Of the seven NZDF personnel currently deployed on this operation, two of them are Navy, three of them Army and three Air Force. In Lebanon we have SQNLDR Brett Goodall, SQNLDR Ross Patterson and Lt(N) Lorna Gray. In Syria is Capt Joe Totoro and in Tiberias we have LTCDR Lana Knaapen, Capt Brad Taylor and myself.
For me living in Israel for 12 months is a once in a lifetime experience. I was fortunate enough to have visited Israel twice before as a tourist so the decision to apply for the post was a particularly easy one. Living in Israel is not without its security issues. The odd rocket attack just 20km from your flat brings home to you that we are in a volatile area of the world (every house has a bomb shelter).
However, the absolute pleasure of living in Tiberias, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and the history of the area never fail to amaze me. Within 20 minute’s drive we have Capernaum, Mt Tabor, Nazareth and the Jordan River. If you are a history buff this place has to be number one on your travel itinerary. No visit is complete without a float in the Dead Sea, a walk up to the Masada Fortress or a wander around the old city in Jerusalem.
The role of a UNMO with UNTSO in Israel is varied and extremely interesting. It involves living on an Observation Post (OP) with a UNMO from another country and for this you have to be both totally self-sufficient and a good cook. Up on the platform you are responsible for watching over the Area of Separation between Syrian and Israeli Occupied Golan, ensuring any breaches of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement are reported.
Although the NZDF’s contribution to the UNTSO Mission is relatively small, there should be no doubt about the impact our contribution is having in assisting Israel, Syria and Lebanon develop and maintain peace in the region.
Would I come back again if given the chance? – ABSOLUTELY!!