Israeli ‘desalination car’ launched for benefit of Marshall Islands

Israel to help Islands with about $150,000 worth of support in water-related technology.

By SHARON UDASIN
Mobile desalination facility of G.A.L. Water Technologies Ltd. (photo credit: STUDIO RAFI, HADERA)
Mobile desalination facility of G.A.L. Water Technologies Ltd.
(photo credit: STUDIO RAFI, HADERA)
Aiming to help the Republic of the Marshall Islands overcome its water shortage, the Foreign Ministry is facilitating the transfer of a mobile desalination vehicle to the tiny Pacific Ocean nation.
Representatives from Hadera- based G.A.L. Water Technologies Ltd., the company responsible for the mobile unit, as well as Israeli government officials attended the launch ceremony for the desalination vehicle on Tuesday in Hadera, according to information provided by the Honorary Consulate of the Marshall Islands in Israel.
In addition to bringing the technology to the small country, the State of Israel is helping the Marshall Islands in the healthcare sector by providing other water-related support worth about $150,000, the statement said.
G.A.L. Technologies will soon be sending a team of experts to the Marshall Islands to help train local staff members to operate the new system.
Michael Ronen, Israeli ambassador to the 13 Pacific Islands, expressed his excitement to see that Israel “reaches out to all nations, large and small, including the Marshall Islands.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, who also attended the launch event, said he was pleased to be part of the launch of the first “desalination car” in the world.
“When I was at a meeting with the heads of state of the Pacific in the nation of Samoa, I met with the president of the Marshall Islands, who asked me to help his country,” Hanegbi said. “This event brings together the most important fields of environment, health and desalination, while helping and mobilizing the Foreign Ministry to advance these issues and raise awareness around the world.”