by WorldTribune Staff, November 15, 2017
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer of humanitarian aid to Iran’s earthquake victims was immediately rejected by the Islamic Republic.
Netanyahu told a gathering of North American Jewish leaders that Israel had offered the aid via the Red Cross following a magnitude 7.3 quake on Nov. 12 that killed at least 530 people in Iran and several people in Iraq, and injured thousands across the region.
“I just saw the pictures of the destruction in Iran and Iraq from this week’s earthquake. And I saw these heartbreaking images of men and women and children buried under the rubble. So I am proud to announce tonight that a few hours ago I directed that we offer the Red Cross medical assistance for the Iraqi and Iranian victims of this disaster,” Netanyahu told the Jewish Federations of North America’s annual General Assembly in Los Angeles, via video conference.
“I’ve said many times that we have no quarrel with the people of Iran,” he added. “Our quarrel is only with the tyrannical regime that holds them hostage and threatens our destruction. But our humanity is greater than their hatred. Israel continues to be a light unto the nations and this is what I am proud of. And all of you can be proud of Israel’s morals, and Israel’s might.”
An official in Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister’s offer was immediately turned down.
“This shows the true face of the Iranian regime,” the official said.
In 2003, Teheran turned down an Israeli offer of assistance after a quake in the southeastern Iranian city of Bam killed more than 26,000 people. Nine years later, when two quakes hit the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan, killing more than 300 people and injuring 3,000, Israel did not offer assistance, citing the rejected offer.
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