The "Order 9" organization, known in Hebrew as "Tsav 9," has emerged as an extremist Israeli protest movement primarily aimed at stopping the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. This movement was founded on the initiative of settlers Reut and Yosef Ben Haim, who reside in the Netivot settlement in the Negev, to represent a hardline right-wing voice that links the humanitarian issue with the issue of prisoners.
The organization adopts the slogan "No aid until the last Israeli prisoner returns" as a fundamental pillar for its field activities. Its founders believe that introducing food and medicine contributes to prolonging the conflict and strengthening the capabilities of the resistance. The movement has translated this vision through a series of violent protests that included blocking main roads and preventing aid trucks from passing.
The movement's roots trace back to early 2024, specifically during a demonstration organized at the Kerem Shalom crossing on January 11, where the idea of imposing a popular siege parallel to the military siege crystallized. The first practical activity was recorded one day prior when Reut Ben Haim called via social media for an immediate demonstration to prevent trucks.
Ben Haim explained in press statements that the field action came as a result of the sight of convoys of trucks lined up at the border, which she considered a provocation to the families of the hostages. Since then, the movement has begun recruiting activists and reserve soldiers to expand its sphere of influence and pressure the Israeli government to cease its humanitarian obligations towards civilians in Gaza.
Organizationally, the movement held its expanded founding meeting in June 2024 in the "Visert Tzion" settlement, where systematic mechanisms were developed to use the truck blockade as a political pressure tool. This meeting came after a period of temporary suspension of its activity following clashes with Israeli police in various areas.
The name "Order 9" derives its meaning from Israeli military terminology, referring to reserve call-up orders, a symbolic reference that their activity is a continuation of military service through civilian means. A large number of soldiers who completed their service in Gaza participate in the movement, considering that preventing aid is part of the battle they began in military uniform.
Activists of the organization, including David Holtzman, emphasize that their actions are purely field-based and rely on direct confrontation with aid convoys. They believe that the participation of former soldiers who fought inside the Strip gives their movement additional legitimacy within Israeli society, especially in light of the acute political polarization.
Despite the movement's claim of not belonging to a specific political current, its composition reflects a close alliance between settlers, reserve soldiers, and national right-wing activists. The organization has received public support from Knesset members, such as Zvi Sukkot, who chairs a sensitive subcommittee in the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, reflecting the penetration of its ideology into state institutions.
Support was not limited to parliament but extended to government ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security, who has repeatedly expressed his support for the movement's demands. These political coverages have encouraged activists to escalate their field operations against trucks coming from Jordan and the West Bank.
Jerusalem and its surroundings witnessed the peak of the movement's activity in May 2024, where vital streets were closed to prevent the passage of international aid convoys. Their attacks also targeted strategic crossings such as Erez, Tarqumiya, and Allenby Bridge, in an attempt to cut off all aid arteries leading to the besieged Gaza Strip.
"Order 9" protests took on a destructive character on several occasions, with its elements involved in burning commercial and aid trucks near the cities of Hebron and Ramallah. The movement did not only target trucks but also besieged UNRWA offices in Jerusalem and prevented international staff from carrying out their duties.
International press reports, including a report by The Guardian, revealed a serious complicity between members of the Israeli army and movement activists. The reports indicated that soldiers leaked accurate information about the routes and locations of aid trucks to settlers, enabling them to intercept and attack them in advance.
The movement's spokeswoman, Rachel Touitou, confirmed the accuracy of the information regarding receiving signals from security and military personnel about convoy movements. This field cooperation raises major questions about the role of the military establishment in facilitating the tasks of pressure groups that use violence against international humanitarian aid.
In response to these practices, the US Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions on the "Tsav 9" organization in June 2024, describing it as a violent group. The US State Department affirmed that the organization caused obstruction and damage to vital humanitarian convoys, placing it under international prosecution for its continuous violations.
No aid until the last Israeli prisoner returns from Gaza.
شارك برأيك
Israel's "Order 9" Organization: The Far-Right Arm to Choke Gaza and Prevent Aid