Serious question: Has Israel ever given foreign aid to any needy nation?

[jumpstart33]

I know they sold weapons to plenty third world countries and to S. Africa during aparteid regime but have they ever given aid to places in Africa or Aisa after natural disasters?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Yes their confined rescue teams

were in Mexico City after the Earthquake, for example

They have also offered to send those teams all over the world after major disasters.

[11cents]

2. Their dog rescue teams were first in Kenya

...after the Kenya/Tanzania embassy bombings. They're the best in the world, for obvious reasons. Also sent the teams to Turkey after their big earthquake a couple of years ago. Agricultural aid to Africa in the 60s and 70s.

[Richard D]

3. Yes

To many countries, many times. Including some that are considered enemies.

[JSJ]

4. not without a price to the recipients nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. What price? What the heck are you talking about

By the way, the Virginia Beach team had far more problems in Mexcio City than the IDF troops, from having talked to the Mexican Red Cross teams that were THERE.

[JSJ]

10. it's the negative associations that foes of israel see nt

[JSJ]

16. it should be added that it would be presumptuous to claim israel...

...gives any aid to anyone what with it's annual receipt of some 11 billions in aid through grants and forgiveable loans from the US.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Tell taht to the victims pulled out of the rubble

at the Hospital General in Mexico City.... or the Earthquake Victims in Eastern Turkey

you are the one being presumptious,

I guess anything Israel does, good bad or uggly is wrong in your view

How sad

[JSJ]

19. and how did they pay for their humanitarian largess? nt

[aquart]

5. Has Monaco? Has...what other nation is comparably small?

In the meantime, the people of Cyprus keep doctor appointments in Israel, where they know they'll get decent care.

The problem with people who see Israel as the giant boogeyman of their childhood nightmares, is that they've never actually looked for Israel on a map.

[Richard D]

7. Israel in comparison to the Arab world.

[serryjw]

8. Silly question......

Where is Iran on your map?

[tritsofme]

9. Iranians aren't Arabs

that's my guess.

[Richard D]

12. Right guess.

[Richard D]

13. Right guess.

[aquart]

15. Yup. Persians, NOT Arabs.

They are very clear on that.

[aquart]

14. And Israel has no oil.

They do have an arms industry. Wonder why they developed one.

[rman]

23. Monaco is not comparably small.

Monaco is a tiny speck of a country, Israel is a lot larger (check your map). Israel is comparable in size to Belgium and the Netherlands, both of which do give foreign aid. Luxemburg gives foreign aid, and it is smaller than Israel.

[Barney Rocks]

11. They have also

welcomed with open arms refugees (Jewish) from many war-torn areas.

[TankLV]

17. If they do, we had better STOP all our aid to that nation IMMEDIATELY!

Fact: the US gives aid to Israel every year.

If that country as so much as gives a penney of OUR money to some other country in aid, they have proven that they don't need any such aid.

If this is true, then I am more than disgusted.

They have no busines in giving OUR money away.

[Barney Rocks]

21. Aid does not have to be money.

I have a friend who is an Israeli citizen (I know him from on-line we belong to a news group together). A few years ago, Turkey suffered some terrible earthquakes and they needed a lot of help with the disaster relief. This man took vacation time off from his job and went to help the earthquake victims! A very wonderful thing to do--especially since the victims were Arabs and the strife between the Arab and Jewish people usually gets all the publicity. There are some good people on both sides of the divide, and when good people want to give aid to people in need, I am not one to criticize.

Most of the aid the US gives to Israel is in the form of military stuff--it is not food aid. According to this Israeli that I know on-line (and he has provided links in the past) Israel has one of the most efficient Agricultural production systems in the world. They produce more than enough food for all of their people and yes they have enough left over to export and to give food as aid. I don't think that we send them food--we give them deal on weapon systems. In the tradition of the middle east (for both the Jewish and Arab people) when someone is in need, the person who can feed them and clothe them has an obligation to do so (like the bible story of the good Samaritan--a story that supposedly took place in this area). Helping those in needs should always be applauded. I like to encourage the good in others as well as within myself. My philosphy is that I will not be able to change the world by myself (though I would like to) so I like to be able to empower others to do so.

[JSJ]

22. us aid now one lump and israel may use it or any part of it...

...for whatever reasons it deems best suits it's interest. As well, the total amount of dollars given by the US to Israel since 1949 is close to 100 billions (each year's assistance begins to accrue interest immediately upon receipt). Unfortunately, the US Foreign Assistance Act prohibits military assistance to any country "which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights." Yet, US military credits are routinely doled out to a country the Palestinians would certainly maintain does just that and in direct contravention of US laws. The US taxpayer, one could argue, receives nothing in return for this perennial propping up of what has basically become a rogue nation as has the US.

http://www.wrmea.com/html/usaidtoisrael0001.htm

[doctorus]

20. Israel is the recipient

there are donors and recipients
Israel is not the country-donor
It is the country-recipient