Netanyahu offers to help Iraq-Iran earthquake victims
Insisting that Israel has 'no quarrel with the people of Iran', only with the regimes 'that holds them hostage,' PM says Israel's humanity is the reason he instructed the Red Cross to transfer humanitarian aid; the offer was rejected, but PMO sources say it's part of concerted strategy to differentiate between Iranian people, regime.
"Now I just saw the pictures of the destruction in Iran and Iraq following this week's earthquake. And I saw these heartbreaking images of men and women and children buried under the rubble. A few hours ago I directed that we offer the Red Cross medical assistance for the Iraqi and Iranian victims of this disaster," Netanyahu said during a video speech made to a Jewish Federation of North America conference.
"Now you heard me right. I've said many times that we have no quarrel with the people of Iran. Our quarrel is only with the tyrannical regime that holds them hostage and threatens our destruction. But our humanity is greater than their hatred. Israel continues to be a light unto the nations," Netanyahu said.
Speaking about the Iranian threat, Netanyahu said it had "brought us closer than ever with our neighbors."
The death toll in Sunday's devastating earthquake reached 530. More than 8,000 others were wounded.
A source in the Prime Minister's Office commented on the prime minister's offer of assistance. "As part of a set strategy, Netanyahu is communicating directly with the Iranian people and underlining the difference between the people and the country's regime. Israel contacted the Red Cross with the intention of providing civilian humanitarian assistance but was immediately turned away, which reveals the true face of the radical regime in Iran."
