Posted on 09/11/2001 2:20:17 PM PDT by Jean S
Israel puts rescue team on alert TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Israel put its national rescue team on alert and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said it would be ready to leave for the United States within an hour to help rescue operations. The Israeli team has gained considerable experience in digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings, including the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, though nothing even close to the scale of Tuesday's disaster. A small advance team was planning to leave Tuesday night to make plans, on the spot, if the offer of aide would be accepted, a military source said. Peres who spoke to reporters said, "If we can help even a tiny little bit on any subject, we shall do so willingly." For its own security, Israel closed its air space to foreign planes, scaled down its presence in its embassies and other diplomatic offices abroad, and increased protection of Israeli planes. Israeli security sources said they suspected Osama Bin Laden, Iraq or Iran were involved in the attacks in the United States. Immediately after the apparent attacks in the United States, Israel's air force planes and anti-aircraft units were placed on a higher state of alert, a senior government source said. Controllers radioed pilots of the incoming flights over the Mediterranean to verify their identity and control of the aircraft. Israel later closed its skies to all foreign incoming flights for at least 24 hours, allowing only Israeli carriers -- El Al, Arkia, and Israir -- to land. Two foreign charter flights were reportedly diverted to Cyprus. The Israel Security Agency also increased protection at Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv, an authoritative source told United Press International. The Foreign Ministry said they left only limited staffs at their diplomatic representations abroad, but did not close them completely. -- Copyright 2001 by United Press International. All rights reserved. --
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