Israel aid missions return, "unneeded," from Sri Lanka and Thailand

israelinsider.com ^ | 12/29/2004 | Israel Insider staff and partners

[bedolido]

Israeli aid teams returned Wednesday from brief visits to Thailand and Sri Lanka after local authorities said that their assistance was not required.

Israel's army on Tuesday canceled plans to send a 150-member team to aid in recovery efforts in Sri Lanka due to opposition from the Asian country, Israeli officials said.

The medical delegation -- including 60 soldiers -- was set to leave Tuesday, but Sri Lanka's army protested the military composition of the relief team, Israeli security officials said.

[Bahbah]

So should we make all Jewish members of our relief teams wear a Star of David, or should they just stay home? Feh!

[no more apples]

Youv'e gotta be kidding!

[dennisw]

Righteous Jews tried to do the right thing ..... and many Israelis like to vacation in Thailand. Plus there are many Thai guest workers in Israel.

[Publius6961]

The old "60 soldiers with medical supplies will take over our country" excuse?
Well, I must say this, in contrast with the arabs, this culture is somewhat more diplomatic.

[lupie]

sad ping

[craig_eddy]

"We don't want your help, which will prove your righteousness. We just want your money, which we'll say you spend here taking advantage of our people."

[pgkdan]

That's disgusting. These people are hopeless. God bless the Israelis for trying! I know I wouldn't be so selfless in the face of that kind of constant insult.

[LRS]

Who needs help from Israel with all that massive relief aid coming in from the PLA?

[sam_paine]

The immediate victims are already gone. The current victims of disease and hunger surely would accept all comers. The hapless "governments" over there that are still alive just see this as another opportunity to demagogue as they do.

Sure make those people seem "stingy."

[alloysteel]

"...Sri Lanka's army protested the military composition of the relief team...."

Naw, it was because they were JOOOS. There is a superstitious dread of Judaism in most of the Middle East and southeast Asia, a bit of disinformation spread by Islam. Israelis are believed to be some kind of supermen, come to dominate all others. Showing up in military uniform just redoubled the nascent fears and kindled all kinds of doubts as to the ulterior motives (was Israel going to annex Sri Lanka and proselytize the entire population?)

[patriciaruth]

Well, if they don't need Israeli help, I guess they don't need mine.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Sri Lanka appears to be getting a lot of help from India & other nations like the US,Russia,EU & Arab nations(which may be a factor in refusing Israeli aid).India politely refused the Israeli offer of aid,given that the death toll in India is relatively limited(by Indian standards!!) & the states affected have much better social/economic infrastructure(hospitals/civic administration/NGOs/transportation) than the rest of the country.That's one reason India has been able to spare naval & airforce units to help in Sri Lanka & the Maldives.

[joesnuffy]

Exactly...or my families tax money...

What the corrupt 'helpers' always want...a chance to exploit the disaster by shuffleing aid money around with no accountability..so they can pocket it without getting caught...

The Red Cross the UN the Red Crescent the local Government....very little aid will actually get to the victims or their families...but it will make the bosses wealthier..

The Christian church groups are your best bet...but only if there is someone to watch them like a hawk.

imo

[mewzilla]

Paging L'Osservatore...

[Clara Lou]

I wonder how many will suffer more, how many more will die, because these idiots don't like Jews.

[doc30]

If these countries are turning away aid, then there is no reason for the U.S. to provide a single relief worker or a single penny of financial help. Let the ingrate muslims wallow in their suffering.

[SJackson]

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

[bboop]

I am with you. If they are turning away Israel's aid, they don't need mine.

[Esther Ruth]

There are times when we wipe the dust from our feet and their our times we turn the other cheek. As horrible, stupid and idiotic as they (their leaders) are in their rejection of help, I still don't think it is time to wipe the dust from our feet and leave. Their arrogant, proud, ruthless, loveless leaders are doing this. Not the people necessarily. Many of the injured our children, innocent children.