Historic Breakthrough in Indonesia
On January 12th, in an effort coordinated between the Israeli Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Israel Ministry of Defense and Israeli non-governmental
organizations, 75 tons of food, medicines, and supplies, landed on an
El Al airplane in Indonesia, a Muslim country with heretofore no diplomatic
relations with Israel.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the cargo included
16 tons of baby food donated by the Remedia and Materna companies, 30
tons of rice, flour, water, sugar and grains donated by Koach Latet
(“Power to Give” -- not to be confused with LATET), as well
as the Sugat and Osem Israeli food manufacturers, five tons of plastic
sheeting donated by Hovav Plastica and Haogenplast, and 20 tons of medicines
produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals, donated through the LATET organization.
In addition, donations from Shari Arison Glazer and the Shira Hadasha
congregation in Jerusalem funded a water purification system produced
by Israeli manufacturer Netafim, which itself donated a second system.
Moreover, a contribution of some $300,000 by from the Sacta-Rashi Foundation,
Mark Solomon, and the Friends of Yemin Orde Wingate Youth Village covered
the cost of the flight. El Al provided the plane at minimal cost, and
the Defense Ministry and Maman provided quick, efficient, free service
at the airport.
This contribution, together with that of Koach Latet, also provided
ten communications networks produced by Gilat Satellite Networks, which
donated two additional networks.
After years of cold political relations between Israel and Indonesia,
the willingness of Indonesia to accept aid from Israel is highly encouraging,
especially when compared to last year's rebuff from Iran, which refused
Israel's help to search for and treat the victims of the major earthquake
in Bam. The significance of this new relationship was not missed by
Director-General of the Foreign Ministry, Ron Prosor, who told the Ynet
news service,
“This is the largest Muslim country in the world, with which we
do not have diplomatic relations. I feel that they received our aid
as it was given, from heart to heart, Jews helping Muslims in time of
distress. The aid will reach thousands of orphans who lost their families
in the disaster.” Mr. Prosor was received in Indonesia by senior
officials who expressed great appreciation for the Israeli aid, which,
for the sake of the tsunami victims, will hopefully be continued under
the new, warmer relations between Jakarta and Jerusalem.