Israel was set to begin sending medical assistance to India on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry announced.
The aid includes thousands of group and individual oxygen generators, which the Indian health system needs immediately, it said in a press release. Israel is also sending medications, respirators and other medical equipment.In addition, Israeli company Amdocs donated 150 oxygen generators, and the Joint Distribution Committee, a Jewish relief organization based in New York, donated equipment to India, including to the Jewish community in Mumbai.The assistance will be flown to India over the coming days.India is combating a severe second wave of coronavirus infections, with a record 386,452 new cases reported on Friday.“The extension of emergency assistance is an expression of the deep friendship between our countries in India’s time of need,” Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said.India is one of the most important countries to Israel, he said, adding that they “share strategic ties that span a wide range of political, security and economic issues.”
In this hour of need, #IsraelStandsWithIndia and is happy to lend a helping hand to our friend. We will be sending several aircraft with thousands of oxygen concentrators & respirators. Our collaboration during this #COVID19 crisis reflects a strong and genuine friendship. pic.twitter.com/Bgr1usq8a4
— Ron Malka (@DrRonMalka) May 4, 2021
Israeli Ambassador to India Ron Malka tweeted: “In this hour of need, Israel stands with India and is happy to lend a helping hand to our friend.”At the beginning of the coronavirus crisis last year, India sent masks and raw materials for medications to Israel and helped arrange the repatriation of Israeli citizens, the Foreign Ministry said.