Israel offers hurricane relief

JTA NEWS ^ | 09/01/05 | JTA NEWS

[Patriot62]

Israel offers hurricane relief

Israel offered to assist the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom sent a letter Thursday to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice offering assistance, and Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Daniel Ayalon, has spoken to officials at the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Israel is prepared to assist in any way it can to alleviate the suffering and will make available all necessary resources to this end,” the Israeli Embassy in Washington said in a statement. “We are now in discussions within our own government and with U.S. officials at local and national levels to see how best we can provide assistance. America has always been there for Israel, and Israel is there for America.”

[pipecorp]

How about security in downtown NO? That oughta stop the lootin'.

[samadams2000]

Ah there's our old friends. You take care of the Iranians and we'll just accept your offer..wink? wink?..By the way nows a good time as the media is deployed and distracted. Might I suggest the nuclear diamond tips?

[TheOtherOne]

Rice Says All Hurricane Aid Offers From Other Countries Will Be Accepted

By Barry Schweid The Associated Press
Published: Sep 1, 2005 WASHINGTON (AP) - In a turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.

Venezuela, a target of frequent criticism by the Bush administration, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid.

The United Nations informed U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton it was prepared to support the relief effort "in any way possible." Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland said his office had offered the services of the U.N.'s disaster assistance and coordination teams to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent a letter to President Bush offering hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians and other experts in trauma, natural disasters and public health.

"We also offer field hospitals, medical kits and equipment for temporary housing, reinforcement for hospitals, or any assistance that you may require," Sharon wrote.

He said the teams and equipment could be ready in 24 hours.

With offers from the four corners of the globe pouring in, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has decided "no offer that can help alleviate the suffering of the people in the afflicted area will be refused," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday.

However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.

On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to Bush and said Russia was prepared to help if asked.

Boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators, cash assistance and medical teams have been offered to the U.S. government in Washington or in embassies overseas.

Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said.

Also, the Singapore embassy said the Southeast Asian country was sending three Chinook helicopters with 38 air force personnel from military exercises in Texas, to Louisiana to support relief efforts by the Texas National Guard.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, in China on a state visit, sent messages of sympathy to Washington while her government contributed $25,000 through the American Red Cross.

Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it."

"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."

Historically, the United States provides assistance to other countries experiencing earthquakes, floods and other disasters.

Germany, which was rebuilt after World War II largely by the U.S. Marshall Plan, offered its help in a telephone call to Rice.

"The German Government is prepared to do all that is humanly possible," the German embassy said. In his call, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer assured Rice of Germany's solidarity with its American friends in a difficult time, the embassy said.

Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon called Wednesday at the State Department to offer condolences and assistance. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, about $2.2 billion a year.

"The hearts and prayers of Israel's people are with the people of the United States and the many millions who are suffering in the regional devastation resulting from hurricane Katrina," the Israeli embassy said in a statement.

AP-ES-09-01-05 1902EDT

[hope]

God Bless Israel!

[Soul Seeker]

Israel is a REAL ally and I accept their help.

[Integrityrocks]

"...America has always been there for Israel, and Israel is there for America.”

Even if they can't help... finally.. acknowledgment that someone is there for America is priceless.

[BlessedBeGod]

God bless them!

[Soul Seeker]

Notice Israel's help contains detail? Some of these other countries we have no idea what type of "help" they really mean.

"We also offer field hospitals, medical kits and equipment for temporary housing, reinforcement for hospitals, or any assistance that you may require," Sharon wrote. He said the teams and equipment could be ready in 24 hours.

Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it." "You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.

I love the man. He's absolutely correct. We don't ask for help because we take pride in helping ourselves and we WILL rise again.

Though, as I said, I accept help from our ALLIES. Our REAL allies. Everyone else I don't want a dime from.

[FeeinTennessee]

I echo that...bless you Israel! :)

[FeeinTennessee]

I echo that...bless you Israel! :)

[hope]

ping

[Issaquahking]

That would be Britain, Austalia, and Israel in leaders of the free world, but I do think we should accept help from those that have moved to the free world. Some will be huge contributions, others only token but perhaps all they could afford to do. Makes for a slick dance floor, choose your partners wisely....

[Alouette]

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry ping list.

Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.

[SevenofNine]

Are they going send IDF to New Orleans for security if so
HEY LOOTERS you have another thing comin

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..........................................

[SJackson]

How about security in downtown NO? That oughta stop the lootin'.

That's a bad idea, but if we don't have a supply I wouldn't mind if they included a large quanity of rubber bullets, which the IDF no longer uses due to criticism.

[JDoutrider]

This is great news...

[American in Israel]

The IDF are far to nice, we need to send the LAPD.

[SevenofNine]

YEAH You are right LOL!

I forgot DAMN ME this my city police dept LOL!

Yeah bring in LAPD