Last week, Israel faced the worst natural disaster in its history. Because of dry heat conditions, a fire that allegedly started because of the careless behavior from two teenagers smoking a water pipe spread and burned over 10,000 acres of land. It damaged the Carmel Forest, which is near Haifa, Israel’s third largest city, and it forced 17,000 people to evacuate from their homes. It resulted in about 42 deaths — 37 of which were due to a bus that burst into flames. The bus was carrying prison guards who were on their way to the site to help with rescue efforts. The other deaths included two senior police officers and firefighters.
As the fire persisted, it was clear that Israel needed assistance to completely put it out. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not hesitant to ask for help. “We live in a global world,” he explained. “We give and receive help, and it’s not shameful to ask.”
Obama was quick to help as a team was organized to send firefighters with fire retardant overseas to fight the blaze. In addition, “Greek, Russian, British and Cypriot helicopters, together with French and Spanish planes, rush[ed] to … join [Israel‘s] counterparts from Croatia, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan,” said Michael Oren, Israeli ambassador to the United States, in an op/ed written for the Los Angeles Times.
As much as it is unfortunate that Israel had to face this disaster, it did bring many countries together. Predominately Muslim countries such as Turkey and Arab countries such as Jordan and Egypt — as well as the Palestinian Authority — aided in extinguishing the fire.
“A firefighter’s job transcends borders,” a Palestinian firefighter explained to an Israeli newspaper. “Our job is to save human life regardless of religion, nationality and politics.”
This may have inspired Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu into believing in the idea of peace. “We very much appreciate this mobilization and I am certain that it will be an opening toward improving relations between our countries.”
Despite the problems between the two countries, Turkey sent over two planes to help in the effort.
“Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, though still declining to return to peace talks, offered to help without hesitation and conveyed their condolences to the people of Israel,” said Oren.
Israel, however, is being criticized because of their lack of resources to fight the fire. In a country that should have over 5,000 firefighters, Israel only had 1,500. Also, because of fires that broke out during the year, Israel ran out of fire chemical retardant quickly and did not have any emergency aircraft to carry water to where the fire was spreading.
In addition, questions are being raised whether or not, the fire was responded to in a quick manner. The extensive damaged caused by the fire could have been prevented if it did not take units over three hours to respond.
Others, like the radical Islamic group Hamas have made egregious statements, however. Leader Ismail Haniyeh said the fire was “punishment from Allah.”
Fortunately, though, a senior fire official, Boaz Rakia declared the fire to be under control on Sunday. This was accomplished with help from Bulgaria, France, Spain, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Russia, Spain, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Israel thanked the foreign help during a luncheon held in Jerusalem. Although not all of the representatives showed, “each country was honored with a plaque and certificate of newly planted grove of trees planted in their honor,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
We may sound idealistic but we hope that this may lead to further cooperation within the region at large.
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