Israeli Army Learns from Liepāja Experience: Plans to Create 'Security Zone' with Territorial Control

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich today announced a revolutionary plan that will surprise everyone except Liepāja residents. He decided that after the war with Hezbollah, Israel will occupy part of Lebanese territory for security purposes. While Riga is still trying to figure out where Lebanon is located, we Liepāja residents have been living with a similar situation for centuries.

The Liepāja wind, this legendary, uninvited guest in any season, has long occupied our city and established its own 'security zone.' Unlike Israel's plans, our wind has never announced it would leave. It simply stays, controls the situation, and regularly reminds us of its presence by blowing off hats and toppling garbage bins.

'We're used to permanent occupation,' says local resident Jānis Vētrainis. 'Every day we have to think about protection against the wind. But at least it doesn't force 600 thousand people to relocate.' Indeed, compared to Smotrich's plans, the Liepāja wind is quite a humane occupier — it only relocates hair, not people.

While Israel plans to demolish houses near the border to 'prevent threats once and for all,' in Liepāja we've chosen a different approach. We build houses to withstand our permanent 'occupier.' And if a house still doesn't hold up, we say: 'Well, the wind was stronger.' No need to demolish the entire village.

Maybe Smotrich should visit Liepāja and learn how to live peacefully with uninvited guests. We could show him that even with a permanent 'security zone,' you can create a normal life. The main thing is to properly pull up your hood and always hold your purse tightly.