SOFREP Pic of the Day: Exploring Controversial Anti-Terrorism Tourism in the West Bank

In the heart of the West Bank, a rather unconventional tourist attraction has garnered both fascination and criticism. Caliber 3, located near the Israeli settlement of Efrat, began its journey in 2003 as a training camp for professional security personnel, including police. However, over the years, it has evolved into an intriguing destination for tourists seeking an immersive experience in Israeli anti-terrorism methods.

The scene unfolds with approximately 20 Jewish tourists from South America standing in the West Bank landscape. Their faces are a mix of excitement and anticipation as they prepare to participate in an “anti-terrorism” course led by former Israeli soldiers. The tourists shout “fire, fire, fire” and discharge automatic weapons, but their targets are not human; they are balloons nearby.

Eitan Cohen, one of the instructors, addresses the group, making it clear that the purpose of the training is not merely to teach marksmanship. Instead, he emphasizes that its primary objective is to help visitors understand the complex reality of Israel’s ongoing struggle against terrorism. The tourists have come here to gain insights, not just to learn how to shoot.

Counter-Terror Training at Caliber 3 in Israel

Caliber 3 offers an unusual option for visitors exploring Jerusalem’s holy sites or relaxing by the Dead Sea. For a little over $100, tourists can engage in a two-hour program that includes firearm training, paintball games, and instruction in Krav Maga, a self-defense method developed by the Israeli military.

One of the programs immerses tourists in a simulated “terrorist attack” within a mock market, complete with plastic fruits and wooden stalls. Instructors, some of them disguised, reenact the scenario. Suddenly, tourists are instructed to get on the ground, and an assailant with a knife is stopped. The lesson is clear: always be alert in a crowd.

The instructors exude an aura of military expertise, with one resembling a character out of an action movie: donning fatigues, sunglasses perched on his forehead, a rifle slung over his shoulder, and a pistol on his belt. According to Caliber 3’s website, he is a former sniper and a member of elite police units. He speaks passionately to the tourists about the values of Israeli soldiers and their approach to combating terrorism.

Among the tourists is Dan Cohen, who traveled from Venezuela with his family to visit Israel. They decided to add this unique training experience to their itinerary. While his children enjoy a nearby paintball game, Dan and his wife, Lili, listen attentively to the instructor before trying to handle automatic weapons and aiming at balloons affixed to a target. Dan remarks that their initial expectations were quite different, as they had come to learn how to shoot and respond to a terrorist situation, should one ever arise. However, what they truly gained from the experience was an understanding of the complexity and rapid decision-making required in such situations.

While some tourists find this immersive encounter enlightening and thought-provoking, some critics view Caliber 3 as profiting from Israel’s fears of Palestinian terrorism. For them, it’s an exploitative endeavor that fosters apprehension among tourists and perpetuates stereotypes about Palestinians. From the events of recent days, we see those concerns were well placed.

In a nearby village, Mohammed Burjieh, a teacher, believes that Caliber 3 exploits tourists’ fears of terrorism to create a narrative that ultimately casts Palestinians in a negative light. He sees it as a disheartening consequence of the company’s activities. Two sides, two different views. This will always be the case.

Yet, for the approximately 25,000 tourists, primarily from the United States but also from China, Canada, and South America, who participated in Caliber 3’s training last year, the experience offered a glimpse into the complexities of a very different kind of warfare. Instructors like Yoav Fleishman underscore that the goal is to explain to tourists the unique challenges of this unconventional conflict, which differs significantly from traditional warfare.

As the tourists complete their two-hour journey into the world of anti-terrorism training, Eitan Cohen offers both an assessment and a crucial message. He reminds them that while they may have gained insights into combat techniques, it’s equally important to uphold moral values and protect civilians—an essential lesson in a world where the lines between combat and morality often blur.