Dateline Jerusalem — The Haitian earthquake disaster hits too close to home for Californians.
Most of the state lives close to, or on, the San Andreas fault, long overdue for a major eruption greater than that which just occurred in Haiti.
Residents from other states often joke about California splitting in half and falling into the Pacific Ocean. Yet, the aftermath of the Haitian quake should show the world that this is not a laughing matter.
What else should the Haitian quake show the world besides devastation, famine, disease, and loss of life?
It has demonstrated that a tiny nation like Israel, on the opposite side of the world, can always be counted on to immediately come to the aid of the needy, as it has so often proven when responding to other major quakes, tsunamis, avalanches, disasters, and terrorist attacks throughout the world.
While other countries were busy collecting money or promising to send it to Haiti, Israelis had already arrived. They set up the first operational field hospital there with the latest high-tech medical equipment. Even the U.S., close in proximity and ability to help out, could not get its field hospital operating in time.
Israelis Comprehend Urgency
Time is of the essence when it comes to saving lives. The longer it takes to find people hidden in the rubble of collapsed buildings and infrastructure, the less likely their survival.
Besides setting up a hospital, Israel sent experienced soldiers with specialized equipment for detecting victims hidden under tons of concrete and cement. Israel also sent ZAKA, volunteer civilian Orthodox Jewish men experienced in dealing with death, destruction and providing victims with the dignity they deserve.
Israelis, Orthodox and secular alike, violated the Shabbat (Sabbath) in order to save Haitian lives. Not only were doctors from the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces — the same military that protects Israel from terrorists and fights for the existence of Israel as a nation surrounded by Arab enemies) first on the scene to operate on the injured Haitians and provide advanced medical care, but they also were among the first search- and-rescue teams.
Fortunately for the Haitians, the presence of Israeli men and women in their disaster-torn country, has been a Godsend. For without their presence, many more Haitians would have lost their lives. And they were sent by God, for the very existence of the Jewish people is to be a “light unto the world.”
Fortunately for Haiti, it has benefited from Israel’s vast experience with disasters. Unfortunately for Israel, this experience has been a direct result of dealing with Palestinian suicide bombers and terror attacks, Fatah ambush sniper fire at Jewish families, Hamas and Hezbollah rocket and missile fire, and over 60 years of war fighting for Israel’s very existence. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated, “Given Israel's security needs, we have accumulated much search-and- rescue experience over the years.”
Unfortunately, other than to the Haitians who were rescued and personally saved by the Israelis with their advanced search-and- rescue techniques, medical supplies, equipment, skills, food,supplies, and technology, the rest of the world probably will choose to ignore or forget Israel’s disproportionate contribution to the good of humanity.
I can only hope that you do not.
L'hitraot. Shachar.
Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff who moved to Israel 2 ½ years ago.