Israeli aid team forced to return to Israel after receiving intelligence of an immediate threat to their safety in Turkey.
Due to a significant security threat on the Israeli rescue and relief mission in Turkey, and following a joint situational assessment with the heads of the IDF Home Front Command and Search and Rescue Units which took place on Saturday night, United Hatzalah CEO Eli Pollack and Vice President of Operations Dov Maisel instructed the head of United Hatzalah’s rescue mission Major (res.) Yossi Cohen to end the mission and return to Israel as soon as possible.
The team quickly packed up their equipment and gear and made hasty arrangements to fly back to Israel at the earliest opportunity. Due to the lack of available planes, Dr. Miriam Adelson donated her private jet to fly the team back to Israel already on Sunday.
Maisel said: “We knew that there was a certain level of risk in sending our team to this area of Turkey, which is close to the Syrian border but we took the necessary steps in order to mitigate the threat for the sake of our lifesaving mission. Unfortunately, we have just received intelligence of a concrete and immediate threat on the Israeli delegation and we have to put the security of our personnel first. We are extremely proud of what our team has accomplished in just a few days, assisting in the rescue of 15 individuals in cooperation with the IDF Home Front Command, Israel’s Search and Rescue units, local rescue forces, and the Turkish Red Cross. I want to thank Dr. Adelson for assisting us in bringing our people back quickly and safely.”
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On Tuesday, United Hatzalah of Israel sent a delegation of 25 first responders and experts in search and rescue operations together with 10 tons of medical supplies and humanitarian aid to Turkey on a special charter flight
Why are Jews saving Turks, who hate us, while Jews are being murdered on the street of Jerusalem?
This was very unfortunate.
God bless and keep the Hatzalah team. They serve the God of Life, and bring honor to His name.