Netanyahu Praises Israeli Aid Mission in Venezuela, Says Humanitarian Effort Is Rebuilding Lives and Bilateral Ties.
Jerusalem:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today commended the country’s humanitarian delegation working in earthquake-hit Venezuela, saying the mission is not only helping the country recover from a devastating natural disaster but also contributing to the restoration of diplomatic goodwill between the two nations.
During a telephone conversation with Brig. Gen. Elad Edri, commander of the Israeli aid delegation and Chief of Staff of the Home Front Command, and Israel’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Yoed Magen, Netanyahu praised the team’s work in assisting Venezuela’s reconstruction efforts over the past ten days.
The Israeli delegation was deployed at the request of the Venezuelan government following a powerful earthquake and has been carrying out structural assessments of damaged buildings, advising authorities on reconstruction, and supporting local agencies in recovery operations.
According to Israeli officials, the delegation also worked closely with Venezuela’s Ministry of Infrastructure to prepare a comprehensive national reconstruction plan. The proposal, outlining measures for demolition of unsafe structures, debris removal and long-term rebuilding, was presented to Venezuela’s Acting President and subsequently approved.
Addressing the delegation, Netanyahu said the mission reflects Israel’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian assistance around the world.
“You are rebuilding ruins, and you are also rebuilding relations. You are showing the people of Venezuela, and also the government of Venezuela, the true face of the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said.
He noted that Israel has dispatched rescue and relief teams to numerous countries following natural disasters, but described the Venezuela mission as unique because it is taking place in a country that severed diplomatic relations with Israel nearly two decades ago.
“We didn’t ask questions about who and what. We asked, ‘What needs to be done to help?'” Netanyahu said, adding that the delegation represents Israel “with distinction.”
The Prime Minister also referred to Israel’s experience in disaster response, saying that years of responding to rocket attacks had equipped Israeli rescue teams with significant expertise in dealing with damaged infrastructure.
Brig. Gen. Elad Edri said the delegation initially arrived for a technical assessment mission but soon expanded its role in collaboration with Venezuelan authorities.
“Our mission began as a technical assessment of damaged buildings. Shortly thereafter, together with the Ministry of Infrastructure, we began formulating a national reconstruction plan that outlines the steps needed for demolition of unsafe buildings, debris clearance and restoring normalcy,” Edri said.
He said the delegation comprises more than 30 members from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Home Front Command and other Israel Defense Forces units, all working closely with Venezuelan officials.
Edri added that the delegation has also established ties with the local Jewish community and received a warm welcome from both government officials and the public.
“We are very proud to represent the State of Israel here. We feel safe carrying out our mission, and there are none prouder than us to stand here with Israel’s symbols on our uniforms and contribute to this important humanitarian effort,” he said.
The mission marks one of the most significant instances of direct cooperation between Israel and Venezuela in recent years, with Israeli officials describing the humanitarian operation as both a reconstruction initiative and an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people relations through disaster assistance.
