7-13-11 IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid, in partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto and American Jewish Committee, are sending a humanitarian aid cargo to help the people of South Sudan "on behalf of the Israeli and Jewish people as a goodwill gesture between both communities," according to a news release issued by the organization.

IsraAID is planning to send a long-term aid mission to help women, children and the elderly in the new country.

“As a small and relatively newborn country, Israel has gained experience in various factors of water, agriculture, post trauma, education, migration and others that would be valuable to the people of South Sudan who are now building their country," said Shachar Zahavi, founding director of IsraAID. "It is our mission and Jewish commitment to reach out to our new friends in any way we can.”

AJC Executive Director David Harris said, “While we celebrate South Sudan’s birth, the people of South Sudan face daunting challenges that require urgent international assistance."

Israel recognized the state the following day.

"This is a peace-seeking country and we would be pleased to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and its prosperity," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "Greetings to South Sudan."

Sudanese refugees living in Tel Aviv celebrated the birth of the new state, according to Israeli media.

Jewish groups also welcomed the new state.

http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/breaking_news/jewish_groups_deliveri...

7-13-11 Israel offered aid to Cyprus in the wake of an explosion at a naval base that killed at least 12 people.

The accident early Monday morning occurred after arms seized in 2009 from an Iranian shipment to Syria caught fire. More than 60 were injured in the blast, which also destroyed a power plant and leveled homes.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman told Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou in offering assistance Monday that Israel shares in his country's grief.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke Monday with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, instructed all relevant officials to immediately dispatch medical and rescue equipment to the disaster zone, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Submitted by andie531 on Thu, 2011-07-14 18:22

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