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OPINION

Disaster, Embassies Solidify Guatemala-Israel Friendship

Disaster, Embassies Solidify Guatemala-Israel Friendship

Smoke billows from the Fuego volcano just after dawn near Antigua, Guatemala, Central America. (Lucy Brown/Dreamstime) 

Rabbi Tuly Weisz By Tuesday, 05 June 2018 01:19 PM EDT Current | Bio | Archive

Last month, Guatemala publically solidified its friendship with Israel as it joined the U.S. in moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Call it coincidence or call it divine intervention, the eruption of the Volcan del Fuego Volcano on Sunday presented Israel with the opportunity to rush to the aid of our ally.

The explosion which killed 25 Guatemalans, and displacing millions more, was the worst volcanic eruption Guatemala has seen in nearly four decades.

Without hesitation, Israel’s Foreign Ministry committed to sending financial aid to Guatemala for the purchase of medicine, food, and blankets for the survivors.

In the coming days, the Jewish State will evaluate the need to send search, rescue, and medical aid to Guatemala.

Two of Israel’s strongest values are loyalty and friendship. Time and time again, Israel has demonstrated the lengths to which it is willing to go to support our friends and allies around the world during their times of crisis.

In fact, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having the most effective and advanced field hospital in the world.

Since the inception of the modern State of Israel in 1948, the IDF has deployed dozens of humanitarian aid missions to virtually every continent. "This is national honor for the State of Israel as well for the IDF Medical Corps" said Dr. Ofer Merin, Commander of the IDF Field Hospitals.

LIBI USA, a US based, volunteer led non-profit organization that works hand-in-hand with the IDF, has sponsored numerous workshops to train soldiers in proper medical techniques to be used in trauma situations. These workshops have increased the efficiency of the IDF Medical Corps during their participation in various humanitarian missions.

Israel continues to uphold the eternal Proverbs of Solomon, "Do not withhold good from one who deserves it when you have the power to do it for him" (Proverbs 3:27).

In this day and age, when many nations have turned their backs against Israel, painting our country as an evil aggressor, we do not take our friendships for granted.

The Biblical values of love, loyalty, and friendship will continue to guide Israel’s relationships. Whether through diplomatic relations, humanitarian aid, or financial aid, we will always rush to the aid of our allies and offer the necessary support to our friends.

On behalf of my staff at Israel365 I send condolences to the people of Guatemala.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected by this recent disaster.

Rabbi Tuly Weisz is the director of Israel365, which connects 2 million people to Israel every month. He founded the I365 newsletter, is publisher of Breaking Israel News, and editor of The Israel Bible. He lives with his family in Ramat Beit Shemesh. To read more of his reports, Click Here Now.

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RabbiTulyWeisz
Whether through diplomatic relations, humanitarian aid, or financial aid, Israel will always rush to the aid of our allies and offer the necessary support to our friends.
idf, libi, who
472
2018-19-05
Tuesday, 05 June 2018 01:19 PM
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