Mogherini: EU stands by Israel in its time of need
European foreign policy chief pledges ‘concrete support’ as member states send teams to help battle blazes
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
The European Union is pleased to stand by Israel in its time of need, the body’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Friday, as firefighting planes from member states joined efforts to douse a wave of devastating fires that have burned across the country for four straight days.
“We stand by the Israeli people and authorities at this time of need. Not only in words but with concrete support,” Mogherini said, according to a series of tweets Friday by the EU’s mission to Israel.
“I’m pleased that EU Member States are showing their solidarity in action,” she said. “We will continue to be in close contact with [Israeli] authorities to mobilise further offers of assistance as required.”
EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen also expressed concern as tens of thousands were evacuated to escape the fires threatening their homes. “My thoughts are with brave fire crews and thousands of ordinary people affected,” he said, according to the EU mission.
EU member states Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Italy have all sent planes, along with Turkey and Russia.
1/3 @FedericaMog: "We stand by the Israeli people and authorities at this time of need. Not only in words but with concrete support."
— EU in Israel ???????????????? (@EUinIsrael) November 25, 2016
2/3 @FedericaMog: "I'm pleased that #EU Member States are showing their solidarity in action." #Israel https://t.co/OubviSWGXJ
— EU in Israel ???????????????? (@EUinIsrael) November 25, 2016
3/3 @FedericaMog: "We will continue to be in close contact with #Israel-i authorities to mobilise further offers of assistance as required."
— EU in Israel ???????????????? (@EUinIsrael) November 25, 2016
A massive US-based supertanker, a converted Boeing 747 that can operate at night, was expected Friday evening. It will join the international contingent already assisting Israeli firefighting forces stretched to their limit by the hundreds of fires. The blazes, some of which were allegedly set by arsonists, have been fueled by unusually dry conditions and strong winds.
Israel has expressed its appreciation for the EU assistance, posting a message of thanks on Twitter to “our European friends.”
Thanks to our #Europe-an friends for their support in fighting the fire in #Israel pic.twitter.com/I6ea94U0GJ
— Israel in the EU (@IsraelinEU) November 24, 2016
Jordan and Egypt have also joined the host of nations sending assistance. Both of the Arab neighbors with which Israel has peace treaties offered help and Israel accepted, the Prime Minister’s Office said Friday. Jordan will send fire trucks and Egypt two firefighting helicopters.
Israeli crews were joined Thursday night by eight Palestinian Authority fire trucks and 40 firefighters, who were taking part in the battle to contain the massive blaze in Haifa and at Sha’ar Hagai outside Jerusalem.
The show of solidarity from Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority was a welcome sign after many Arabic-speaking social media users in Israel and abroad have cheered on the fires, causing the Arabic-language hashtag label “Israel is burning” to reach the third-most trending tag on Twitter in several Arab countries.
Raphael Ahren contributed to this report
The Times of Israel Community.