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Update: Israeli aid for Hurricane Katrina

Following the disastrous and tragic results of Hurricane Katrina in the city of New Orleans, the Minister of Defense and the IDF Chief of Staff have decided, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that an IDF delegation which will coordinate the transport of humanitarian aid from Israel to the disaster area in New Orleans will leave on September 7, 2005 for the United States.

The delegation, headed by the Chief Medical officer Brig. Gen. Yeheskel Levy, will depart this evening for New Orleans. The Chief Medical Officer will be accompanied by a representative of the Ministry of Health and additional IDF officers.

The delegation will meet with various United States officials and will recommend the coordination of a humanitarian aid delegation to the disaster area in accordance with the assessments made at these meetings.

The Israel Foreign Ministry has called on Israeli companies and organizations to donate vital goods and equipment for the hurricane victims in the southern US. In addition, the Ministry has called on Israeli companies and organizations to donate vital goods and equipment to the disaster area by special planes. More information about donating can be found at the Foreign Ministry website at: http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa.

Hebrew University to accept students from Tulane University in New Orleans

A helping hand has been extended by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in the form of accepting students from New Orleans whose studies have been interrupted by Hurricane Katrina. Hebrew University President Prof. Menachem Magidor said that the university made this decision following the announcement by Tulane University, New Orleans' largest institution of higher learning, that it would have to shut down for the fall semester. Students from New Orleans will be accepted into the Hebrew University's Rothberg International School for a semester or year's studies and will be housed in the university's Mt. Scopus dormitories. The provost of the Rothberg International School, Prof. Jaime Kapitulnik stated: "We will adjust our studies in accordance with their needs and will provide scholarships."

For more information, go to the Rothberg International School website at: http://overseas.huji.ac.il/katerina.php

Sharon reiterates support for the United States in its time of need

In addition to his letter expressing his condolences and offering assistance to President Bush, Prime Minister Sharon stated the following at his weekly Cabinet meeting on September 4, 2005:

"At the start of the meeting, I would like to send our condolences to the American people and to people in the southern US who were struck by such a severe disaster. It seems to me that the US has been caught up in one of its worst disasters ever. Last week I sent a letter to US President George Bush in which I expressed my condolences and those of the Israeli people over the disaster.

I want to thank Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Health Minister Danny Naveh whom we turned to in order to verify what aid for the US victims could be readied within a short time. Within a few hours I received answers and thus I was able to pass on the estimates regarding the assistance that Israel could render. A Defense Ministry and Health Ministry aid delegation will leave this week in order to coordinate what may be done there.

I want to point out that the US has stood by us during difficult times and it is our duty to assist it in the areas in which we can help. I want to reiterate my condolences and my sharing in the grief there. We will do everything in our power to render assistance in the difficult situation in which so many US citizens find themselves."

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