HUMANITY IN ACTION

 

When asked what is the difference between the Israeli army and other armies, my grandson Ohad who serves in a special commando unit, answered that the IDF is primarily an army of the People. He added that  what makes it so unique is that humanitarian values are no less instilled in the army trainees than warfare strategies. What other army has given so much humanitarian aid to their enemies?

The PA (Palestinian Authority) is a sworn enemy of Israel, although considered “mild” compared to Hamas, etc. The head of the PA, Mahmoud Abbas, not only offers terrorists who brutally attack Israeli citizens (including women and children), monetary awards, but they are crowned as heroes and martyrs.

The Sheba Medical Centre, in Tel-Aviv, provides services to patients from across the Middle East, including many patients (especially children) from the Palestinian Authority. It  has treated tens of thousands of “Palestinians” from Gaza, Judea/Samaria. In at least 400 cases - without emergency treatment from Sheba’s medical staff - people of all ages from the PA would have died. Within Sheba’s Safra Children’s Hospital, at one time, 40% of the patients in the various wards were from the Palestinian Authority! Not only the patients, but family members who accompany them were fed and provided with basic services such as accommodation, laundry, etc.

[The Medical Centre also provides guidance and mentoring in the planning, construction and operation of healthcare systems and hospitals around the world].

Another sworn enemy of  Israel, Syria, has taken part  in all the wars launched against Israel. In 2013, an injured Syrian came to the border asking for medical help from the IDF. Back then, there was no policy, just a commander’s on-the-spot decision to provide care to an injured civilian. Since then, the aid continues on a near-daily basis.

Another IDF operation has been providing humanitarian assistance to Syrians in the Golan Heights as part of Operation “Good Neighbour”, which was launched in 2013. Thousands of people, including hundreds of children, have been brought to Israel to receive treatment.

In addition, an internationally managed field hospital has been established at an Israeli outpost near the border. Thousands of litres of fuel have been transferred for heating, operating water wells, and ovens in bakeries. The IDF also transferred seven generators, water pipes to rebuild Syrian infrastructure, and equipment for a temporary school in the region. Not to mention tons of flour to bakeries, over 200 tons of food, thousands of packages of baby formula and diapers, tons of  shoes and cold weather clothing.

Even when fighting for its very existence, Israel is guided by a moral imperative. Put into practice it means, not standing by watching a severe humanitarian crisis, without helping the innocent people stuck in the middle of the conflict.

 

 

 

 

 

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