Israel offers aid to Iran and Iraq in earthquake aftermath
Gripe not with Iranian and Iraqi peoples, but with their governments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.
By MICHAEL WILNERUpdated: NOVEMBER 15, 2017 14:55A man reacts as he looks at a damaged building following an earthquake in Iran(photo credit: REUTERS/TASNIM NEWS AGENCY)
WASHINGTON — The Israeli government has offered on Tuesday assistance through the Red Cross to victims of a deadly earthquake in Iran and Iraq.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the offer in a live Q&A with a gathering of the Jewish Federations in Los Angeles. The assistance is meant to show Israel's commitment to friendship with the people of Iran and Iraq, despite the activities of their governments, the premier stated.A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the borderlands between those two countries on Sunday, killing an estimated 500 people and injuring over 7,500 more.More than 300 killed in Iraq and Iran after powerful earthquake November 13, 2017. (Reuters)The State Department offered thoughts and prayers to the victims of the earthquake on Monday: "The United States expresses its sincere condolences to all of those affected by the earthquake in Iran and Iraq," said spokeswoman Heather Nauert. "We keep the families of those who were killed, and injured, in our thoughts as well as the communities that have suffered damage to homes and property."Neither Baghdad nor Tehran recognize Israel, or its right to exist.
Iran later rejected Israel's offer, as they've decline all aid proposals from the international community.
