Do you like kittens?
Posted on 12/28/2004 3:28:39 AM PST by white trash redneck
A 150-member Israeli aid delegation canceled its mission to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after the country - one of the hardest hit in the Asian tsunami disaster - refused to accept the Israeli team, Israel Defense Forces officials said.
However, Israel is sending supplies at Sri Lanka's request, including 10,000 blankets contributed by the IDF, tents, nylon sheeting and water containers. The IDF Home Front Command is organizing aid preparations.
The Israeli humanitarian organization Latet ("To give") is sending a separate aid package Tuesday. It is filling a jumbo jet with 18 tons of supplies worth $50,000, at Sri Lanka's request. The group is considering sending additional aid shortly.
Sri Lanka said on Tuesday the death toll from the tsunami had risen to about 15,000 people, including at least 200 foreign tourists. Sri Lankan military spokesman Daya Ratnayake said more than 1.5 million people had been displaced from their homes - around 7.5 percent of Sri Lanka's population.
About 26,000 people were confirmed dead Tuesday in the wake of the tsunami that slammed into coasts from India to Indonesia two days before, with some estimates nearly doubling that toll.
The aid delegation that had been set to depart for Sri Lanka on Tuesday included medical teams and representatives of the IDF and Defense Ministry, who were planning to provide humanitarian assistance and participate in search-and-rescue operations.
The delegation was planning to assemble a medical facility comprised of specialist doctors, and set up emergency, internal medicine and pediatric departments, as well as laboratory and X-ray facilities in the southern part of Sri Lanka.
A far smaller team landed in Sri Lanka on Monday night, headed by four doctors from Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem in Jerusalem. The team was carrying medicine and baby food.
The doctors - who specialize in rescue operations, trauma and pediatrics - were also checking the viability of setting up a field hospital in the area, and advised Israel to send a larger team, such as the one Sri Lanka rejected.
"We will advise Israel and the Foreign Ministry... to send something more massive," said Dr. Avi Rivkind, director of Hadassah's trauma unit. "We will try to use our... broad experience in dealing with terror attacks and rescuing masses to help in this disaster as well."
Israel is weighing the option of sending similar delegations to Thailand, where more than 1,000 people have died, and India, where more than 4,000 people have died, but has yet to make a final decision on the matter.
Health Min. team leaves for Thailand A Health Ministry contingent left for Thailand on Monday night to aid in the rescue efforts there after around 1,000 people, including tourists, were killed on the islands of Phuket and Phi Phi. The contingent includes doctors, nurses and four members of the IDF, Israel Radio reported.
Israel has also offered its assistance to India. Mofaz passed on the offer to Indian authorities through Israel's military attache Colonel Moshe Krawitz.
Mofaz offered aid of two kinds - a search-and-rescue team from the Home Front Command, as well as consignments of food and medicine.
A ZAKA rescue-and-recovery team left for the disaster areas Monday night armed with its equipment, including materials and tools for identifying bodies, as well as body bags.
"We are waiting for any instruction," Yehuda Meshi Zahav, the director of the organization, said Monday.
The references to the IAF detachment is about halfway down the article.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1309447/posts
By killing hundreds of Christian pilgrims at a church on the coast in India?
Not even political or cultural reason comes in the way. India and Isreal have excellent relations and they are only set to improve further. Read some more latest stuff on that.
I have not much time or energy to argue this nonsense. I have to go.
"I have no reason to disagree."
---U know nothing.
I hope 'boundary rider' reads the whole thing, if his mouth doesn't get too tired.
What happened ?
Do you like kittens?
Worth mulling. Twill never happen, but tis worth mulling.
MM
Apparently, a detachment of IAF airmen were in a seaside Air Force base in India, and a large number of them perished.
Over 100, if the article is correct.
May I have a cup of coffee, please?
I don't think jetson is seated in his "Thinkin' Chair."
Sri Lanka has had a long on again off again relationship with Israel. Relations broken off in the early 70s, re-established in the early 80s, broken in the 90s and re-established again in 2000. I believe Israel is now their largest arms supplier.
I won't ask how you take it, I bet I know: black with a pinch of salt. (Right?)
Bubbleheads dont drink liquid coffee. They like it so thick it can be cut with a knife. Doesnt drip on your dungarees in those sea state 7 scenarios.
Iron boats-steel men.
J/M
(Former Fast attack and Boomer sailor)
Fuzzette, the honorary VK, will be here momentarily.
Antisemitism defies logic.
Well, I'll put some in a saucepan and let it simmer for an hour or so...it'll be right up.
Thank you for your service.
You too, fastattacksailor
Sounds perfect!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
