Daphne Anson: "A Job Well Done Down at the Mill": BBC report re IsraAID (video)

Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East. (From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Sunday 10 January 2016

"A Job Well Done Down at the Mill": BBC report re IsraAID (video)

From the BBC in deepest Yorkshire, a positive report regarding Israel!

Well done as always, IsraeAID!

Thank you, BBC North!

Good onya for the video, Sussex Friends of Israel!

5 comments:

SteveR10 January 2016 at 23:51
I too was shocked to see this report on of all places the BBC local news report. Must be a first showing Israel in a good light, although I must add that their lead presenter Harry Gration is a regular visitor to Israel for his family holidays.
Unfortunately what wasn't reported but was by the local "Jewish Telegraph" ( a local rag I personally wouldn't wipe my tochas with, but my wife insists in buying) reported that there had been one "unsavoury incident" but was isolated and the vast majority welcomed the Israeli's.
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Daphne Anson11 January 2016 at 14:32
Jewish Telegraph (h/t Steve):

ISRAELI aid workers have been hailed as heroes after flying in to help Yorkshire flood victims.

Many people in Hebden Bridge, Mythlmroyd and Kirkgate in Leeds were amazed when the IsraAID group turned up on their doorsteps.

The delegation - Navonel Glick, Mickey Noam-Alon, Yuval Statman and Gilad Lavi - attracted the attention of the flood-stricken towns' inhabitants, with people pointing at them as they walked through the streets - and many shaking their hands and expressing their gratitude.

IsraAID deputy director Mr Glick told the Jewish Telegraph: "We heard about the Yorkshire floods and understood the situation was quite desperate, so we instantly made contact with the volunteers' centre in Yorkshire to ask if they needed our help."

The Israelis, who arrived on Monday, have been working in many areas where flooding has been extensive. They plan to remain until the middle of January.

"We are flexible - if we are needed to stay longer, then we will stay," Mr Glick added.

Mr Glick said that in many cases the situation was worse than they had anticipated, especially in Hebden Bridge where many homes were completely destroyed - and where the water line in some residences was up to the ceiling.

"The circumstances were desperate, but everywhere we looked we saw tremendous resilience from the community, with people turning up in droves to help others," he explained.

Hebden Bridge has been a hive of pro-Palestinian activity in recent years.

An appearance in November, 2014, by American singer Martha Wainwright at the town's Trades Club saw dozens of pro-Palestinian activists outside the venue as she had previously performed in Israel.

Leeds shaliach Or Nehushtan said the IsraAID group had been welcomed - apart from one unsavoury incident.

He explained: "Someone heard another person stating, when they found out the Israelis were coming to help, 'we don't need them'.

"Overall, people have been overwhelmed that a group of volunteers have come all the way from Israel to help."

Mr Glick agreed with Mr Neshushtan's sentiment. He said: "The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, from the town halls to local businesses and individuals.

"If you have a negative perception about a country, it makes a big difference when you have a face-to-face conversation with a person from that country."

Mr Neshushtan also described them as the "miraculous four" and is endeavouring to obtain much-needed tools for them, such as hammers and crowbars.

Mr Glick added: "It was hard for people to process because, although people had travelled from neighbouring towns offering help, when the disaster victims slowly realised where we travelled from, they couldn't believe it and started to grin from ear to ear and then the reaction was, 'Wow! Really? From Israel? You truly came to help us from Israel?'

"We are proud to play our part and to help people return to some sort of normality. It was heartbreaking when people told us they had no insurance, so for them it was total loss."

The Israelis could be joined by more of their countrymen.

IsraAid founding director Shachar Zahavi added: "We have another team of five waiting to be sent from Israel. We just have to assess where they are most needed and what is the best thing we can do to help."

What was interesting for the Israeli workers was to see how densely populated the areas were.

Mr Glick said: "The number of people living down in the valley near the canal surprised us - it was sad to see how many businesses were affected. These were not big corporations, but tiny family enterprises. It was very touching and a real challenge for them."

Mr Glick spoke about IsraAID last night in Manchester at a North-West Friends of Israel event.

He described how the organisation has helped after natural disasters - or man-made emergencies -around the world.

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Ian G13 January 2016 at 12:01
As a Northerner now living in the Midlands, I am pleased to say that Look North has a long history of quality. I'm glad to read that it is keeping up that tradition. Well done and thanks to IsraAID as well!
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The division of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) into three separate areas “A”, “B” and “C” was agreed on by Israel and the PLO pursuant to the Oslo Accords.
95% of the West Bank Arabs live in Areas A and B and their daily lives are under the total administration and control of the PLO since the Palestinian Authority was disbanded by Abbas in January 2013. The PLO has total security control in A and shares security control in B with Israel. Israel has total administrative and security control in C.
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