Israelis Saving Lives in Wake of Haiti Earthquake
Israel is, once again, establishing facts on the ground — this time this is happening in the earthquake ravaged country of Haiti. Immediately after the quake Israel dispatched search and rescue teams and a fully functioning field hospital. While all the nations are bickering and complaining about the roadways being blocked and about how small Haiti’s airport is Israel was busy getting the job done. The facts on the ground are that Israel proves to be the most prepared in the worst of circumstances, reflecting the humanitarian nature of the Jewish culture.
The International Rescue Units of the Zaka organization have been pulling victims out of the rubble, working through Shabbat to save the lives of the Haitians trapped in the remnants of their homes and businesses.
One account being circulated tells about the short Shabbat service the orthodox Israelis had as they stopped atop the rubble just long enough to dawn tallithim (prayer shawls), face east and offer up Shabbat prayers. The locals watched quietly as the men prayed toward Jerusalem, then after the service concluded the Haitians gathered around the men and kissed their tallithim. The entire scene was said to be surreal.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) sent more than 200 personnel including 40 doctors and support staff to establish a fully operating hospital with intensive care, maternity, pediatric and surgical facilities. All the other medical care groups are sending their worst cases to be cared for by the Israelis.
At one of the many makeshift treatment centers in Haiti a young woman was in labor for an extended period, the doctor attending her discerned that the baby was not in a correct position to enter the birth canal. If this woman did not get advanced medical help she would loose the baby very soon. The decision was made to move her to the Israeli field hospital where she gave birth to a son.
For all the bad the world has to say about the Jewish Nation, Israel is showing the reality of what they are made of. Being wedged between Her enemy Arab neighbors Israel has had to train and be prepared for instant disaster. Now in Haiti Israel is able to exercise these skills, developed for wartime scenarios, in a humanitarian effort. The Israeli field hospital and rescue teams are showing the world how to get the job done.
As revealed in this CNN video other medical treatment centers around Haiti are sending their most severe patients to the Israeli field hospital.
Israel has committed to being in Haiti as long as they are needed. The field hospital is operated by the IDF as are some of the search and rescue personnel. The Zaka organization is a private group well known in Israel as often being the first responders on an accident or terror scene. Zaka cares for the injured and collects the remains of the deceased, treating every piece of flesh with the utmost dignity and care. Their crews in Haiti will likely shift from rescue to recovery as time progresses, they will see to it that the remains of every victim they locate will be treated as if it were their loved one. You can donate to this organization through their Israeli site, or if you are in the United States and wish to avoid international funds fees you can donate through the American Friends of Zaka. You can help the Israelis saving lives in the wake of the Haiti earthquake.
