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America in the Middle East

Israel now aiding America


By Ryan Jones
September 05, 2005

Washington Monday welcomed Israel?s offer to send aid in the form of military rations, emergency medical supplies and volunteer rescue crews to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Ha?aretz reported that the first shipment of aid is expected to leave Israel Tuesday, and will consists of IDF-style field rations, perserved foods, water, tents, generators, baby formula, diapers and bedding.

A team of 25 medical, search-and-rescue and mental health workers will also be dispatched to Louisiana.

Israeli Ambassador to Washington Danny Ayalon, who ordered his embassy?s flag lowered to half-staff, said though Israel?s contribution may be ?modest?it is still very important.?

Israel is prepared to send much more.

Jerusalem?s original offer of aid, which came just hours after the devastating aftermath of Katrina became apparent, included a fully equipped field hospital and forensic experts, whose skill at identifying bodies even under the worst conditions has been honed by years of ?Palestinian? terrorism.

These experts and medical crews have already proven their worth in the aftermath of past disasters, such as the November 1999 earthquake in Turkey and last year?s Southeast Asia tsunami.

Israel?s Health Ministry said it was standing by to assemble additional emergency medical teams should the US require such assistance.

On the spiritual side, Israel?s Foreign Ministry asked the Chief Rabbinate to have special prayers recited for the victims in the country?s synagogues this coming Shabbat, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials scheduled to visit Washington this week to discuss US financial aid following the expulsion of some 10,000 Jews from Gaza and northern Samaria have suspended their mission.

?Now is obviously not the time to go to Washington to talk about this,? one official told the Post. ?It is too early to tell how this will affect us, but there will obviously be ramifications, such as how this will negatively impact Bush.?

Israel was looking for $2.2 billion in additional aid to help develop the Negev and Galilee regions, where it hopes to resettle most of the evacuees.  That figure is expected to be slashed in the wake of Katrina.

The Bush Administration was the primary driving force behind Prime Minister Ariel Sharon?s ?disengagement? plan.

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