Israel aids Third World

HOWARD KOHR SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

At a time when Israel is facing terrorist attacks almost daily, an ugly diplomatic offensive seeking to isolate it in the international community and threats from Iran, Hezbollah and other rogue entities, Israelis quietly continue doing what they have been doing for decades with enormous success: helping people in developing countries overcome adversity and improve their lives.

The story of Israelis operating in harsh, remote parts of the world to better the conditions of their fellow human beings deserves far more attention than it has received. With a paltry annual budget of less than $10 million, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Centre for International Co-operation (CIC) has sent dedicated experts to dozens of Third World countries to set up and help operate medical, agricultural and economic projects.

Establishing trauma units in Peru and Ethiopia and centres for treating the blind in Fiji and Cameroon are just a few of Israel's CIC initiatives. Other projects include a dialysis unit in Costa Rica, an emergency medical unit in Jordan, a cancer treatment centre in Mauritania, agricultural projects in China, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and East Timor, rehabilitating earthquake victims in Turkey and prostitutes in Cambodia, a central bank in Kazakhstan, small-business projects in Kyrgyzstan and many more helpful efforts. Last year, the CIC taught 116 courses on various socioeconomic subjects in which students from 112 countries participated.

These invaluable Israeli services to the world are nearly lost in the din of daily headlines focusing on bloodshed and mayhem. Even more unfortunate is that Israel is being forced to cut its international aid budget due to the growing expenses of combating terrorism. That is a tragic loss for the people of developing nations, who would otherwise benefit from additional Israeli humanitarian assistance.

Howard Kohr is the executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

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