The bantamweight which lifts the world

When Theodor Herzl envisioned the modern Jewish state in our ancient homeland, he had a plan for how it would look. More than that, he thought about what contribution the Jewish state could give to the world.

If we measure countries according to their size, Israel would be determined a flyweight, at the very most a bantamweight. Boxing metaphors aside, Israel is so tiny, it’s almost impossible to find the country on a map of the world.

When disaster of any kind be it natural or otherwise occurs anywhere in the world, tiny Israel packs a mighty punch by responding immediately where needed.

When the call goes out – and even sometimes when it doesn’t – Israel is the first to respond. This even extends to countries that Israel has no formal diplomatic ties with because helping your fellow man in a time of crisis trumps politics every time.

Israel has a long history of humanitarian aid. It’s woven into the fabric of our society. Just 10 years after the founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948, the country adopted an official humanitarian aid agenda, providing vital relief to more than 140 countries.

This effort doesn’t just come from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or government resources, but also NGOs (non-governmental organisations) such as ZAKA, IsraAid, F.I.R.S.T., United Hatzalah, Latet and others. Even the United Nations (UN) has recognised Israel for its contribution. Rare praise from this embittered institution!

Israel has a unique ability to dispatch search and rescue teams and field hospitals fast and effectively. Unfortunately, it’s a skill learned in difficult and sometimes tragic circumstances, but it’s used to help others in times of distress.

Search and rescue in the United States and Turkey

In June 2021, a team of IDF Home Front Command elite search and rescue soldiers departed for Miami in the United States following the devastating collapse of 12-floor apartment building Champlain Towers. It would be the first team of rescuers outside of the United States to assist in a domestic disaster.

The IDF mobilised to help again in February this year, when a deadly earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, launching Operation Olive Branch.

One of the first on the ground, Israel’s team saved the lives of 19 civilians. They also recovered countless souls killed by the earthquake. It’s impossible to imagine what they witnessed and what people endured, such is the magnitude of this tragedy.

Operation Olive Branch brought together volunteers from many Israeli and Jewish organisations including ZAKA, a NGO rescue and recovery organisation. “ZAKA volunteers from Israel and South Africa worked together, shoulder to shoulder, along with IDF search and rescue soldiers,” said Mission Head Haim Otmazgin.

Israel also offered humanitarian aid to Syria (albeit through third parties). Syria doesn’t recognise Israel, and the two countries remain in a state of war. Syria’s complicated internal political issues hampered rescue efforts. Aid organisations expressed anger and frustration that the Assad regime wasn’t allowing much needed humanitarian aid to get to those who needed it the most.

Other countries Israel has helped include Mexico, Armenia, Cambodia, Pakistan, Haiti, Nepal, Romania, Argentina, Croatia, Kenya, Turkey, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and more.

Mashav

Herzl wanted the Jewish tenet of tikkun olam (repairing the world) to be synonymous with the country he envisioned. In keeping with this philosophy, Israel’s foreign ministry has a special department called Mashav, which is the Hebrew acronym for “Israel’s Agency for International Development Co-operation” and today, there are projects all over the world, most notably on the African continent.

Mashav contributes to developing countries in fields where Israel has relevant expertise, accumulated during its own history as a young country facing similar challenges.

The belief is that “training the trainers” and human capacity building are the best way to achieve maximum developmental impact. Education and the transfer of skills is empowering and guarantees sustainable growth.

Access Israel

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many were able to evacuate swiftly to neighbouring countries, but what about the disabled?

Access Israel understood the need to make sure that the solutions on the ground fit the most vulnerable, namely the elderly and those with disabilities, who are often left behind because of the complexity of arranging accessible evacuation. Requests for help for disabled people with specific and unique needs started to pour in, and the Purple Vest Mission was born, ensuring that volunteers were on hand to assist the most vulnerable get to safety in the most sensitive way possible.

Save a Child’s Heart

This organisation’s mission is simple – to perform as many life-saving procedures on children with life-threatening heart problems as possible. Israeli humanitarian organisation Save a Child’s Heart, treats children suffering from congenital and rheumatic heart disease who have little access to care in their own countries.

To date, more than 5 000 children have been brought to Israel from nearly 60 countries where they have little or no access to the medical care they need. It combines paediatric care with an in-depth post-graduate training programme for medical personnel from these developing countries, some of which Israel has none or even hostile relations with. Countries include Ethiopia, Iraq, at least 50% from Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Ghana, Haiti, Rwanda, Somalia, Moldovia, Romania, Vietnam, and many more.

In 2018, Save a Child’s Heart was honoured with the UN Population Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to population and health.

Operation Good Neighbour

For years, Syria has been embroiled in a bitter civil war that has had a devastating impact on civilians. Witnessing the shattering impact of the conflict, the IDF launched Operation Good Neighbour to bring civilians into Israel, at great risk to them and our soldiers, to give them access to life-saving medical attention.

In the cloak of night as battle raged around them and with no help from the UN stationed close by, Israel’s soldiers brought thousands of civilians into the country. The IDF also helped transport members of the NGO White Helmets and their families out of Syria and into safety in nearby Jordan.

Israel may be a real bantamweight, but the Jewish state knows how to deliver a knockout punch when it comes to helping the world. These are just a snapshot of countless missions. As we celebrate 75 years of independence, we can raise a toast to the remarkable example Israel has set when it comes to humanitarian efforts. L’chaim! Herzl would be proud.

• Rolene Marks is a Middle East commentator often heard on radio and television, and is the co-founder of Lay of the Land and the SA-Israel Policy Forum.