Consulate General of Israel, San Francisco --- Special Update

Shalom -

During these difficult times, we would like to keep you up-to-date with the latest information on the ongoing conflict. Below you will find talking points, ways that you can help, and additional resources.
TALKING POINTS:
  • Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that is part of the Lebanese government.
  • The international community including the Security Council has repeatedly demanded of the Lebanese Government that it disarm the Hezbollah organization.  Lebanon has not fulfilled its commitments, and thus Wednesday’s unprovoked aggression against Israel is the result of that.
  • Lebanon and Israel have no disputes over land, water, or any other issue.  Israel expects the Lebanese Government to assume sovereign control over its own territory in Southern Lebanon, deploy its army along its own southern borders, and accept responsibility for events in Southern Lebanon.
  • Within the Middle East there is an axis of terror and hate created by Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, whose shared goal is the elimination of any hope of peace in the region.
  • The international community must not remain silent.  Hezbollah’s actions are guided by Iran and supported by Syria – Iran and Syria must end their support, funding, training, and sheltering of terrorists within their borders.
  • Israel has no intention of letting Hezbollah disrupt or endanger the lives of Israeli citizens or destabilize the region, bringing calamity upon Israeli and Lebanese civilians alike.
  • Hezbollah has over twelve thousand missiles targeted against Israel and has launched hundreds of them in the past few days. The massive use by Hezbollah of these missiles, causing numerous civilian deaths, hundreds of casualties and widespread destruction, makes Israel's actions against this terrorist organization and Lebanon necessary.
  • Israel has the right and responsibility to protect itself and to defend itself and its citizens.  In present circumstances, it has no choice but to act against terrorist elements within the region.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
  • Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Address to the Knesset ( 7/17/2006 )
    tinyurl.com/oyzdd
WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
  • Send emails to your local newspapers and local television news shows, telling them your thoughts and feelings about Israel and calling for balanced reporting.
  • Volunteer with or donate to an Israeli non-profit organization:
    • Volunteers for Israel
      Works with Sar-El to allow foreign volunteers to help in Israeli army bases and hospitals.
      www.vfi-usa.org
      Tel: 866-514-1948

    • Magen David Adom
      Israel’s equivalent of the Red Cross. Its team of trained volunteer and professional medical responders provides the entire nation’s pre-hospital emergency medical needs, including medical, disaster, ambulance and blood services.
      www.afmda.org
      www.mdais.org/main/siteNew/index.php?langId=1

    • Friends of the IDF
      The FIDF initiates and helps support social, educational, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland. The FIDF also provides support for widows and orphans of fallen soldiers.
      www.israelsoldiers.org

    • Libi
      LIBI works for the educational, medical, and social needs of Israeli soldiers.
      www.libi-fund.org.il/libi

    • Natal
      Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War
      www.natal.org.il/eng/eindex.aspx

    • Jewish Agency for Israel
      Sends children from Northern Israel to summer camps in safer locations.
      tinyurl.com/f9pe6

    • American Physicians Fellowship for Medicine in Israel
      Works to advance the state of medical education, research and health care in Israel. Sends American physicians to Israel in times of crisis.
      www.apfmed.org
  • Talk to people about Israel and the situation now. For updates and talking points, please join our news and political updates mailing lists:
    visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1011304301422