Haiti–Israel relations

Haiti-Israel relations

Haiti
Israel

Haiti–Israel relations refers to the bilateral and diplomatic ties between Haiti and Israel. Haiti recognized Israel’s independence in March 17, 1949.[1] The Israeli ambassador in Panama represents Israeli interests in Haiti as Israel has an honorary consulate in its capital of Port-au-Prince.[2]

Political Relations

Haiti and Israel maintain strong diplomatic relations. In 1947, Haiti voted for the United Nations’ partition of Palestine that helped create the State of Israel. Many Haitians express admiration and great respect for Israel, its religion and people after having endured many struggles throughout history themselves, each of whom experienced the tragedy of slavery that share the imaginary bond between the Jewish destiny and the destiny of Haiti.[3] Currently, Gilbert Bigio is the honorary consul of Israel in Haiti, and has a huge Israeli flag flying outside his home.[4] "There has never been any anti-Semitism in this country," Bigio told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. "The Haitians always had admiration for Israel, and now more so than ever."[5]

2010 earthquake

The Israel Defense Forces search and rescue team extracted a 52-year-old Haitian government employee, trapped in the ruins of the customs office in Port-au-Prince after 6 hours of work.

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, killing more than 300,000 people and leaving nearly a million more homeless and without food, water or shelter, Israel was one of the first countries to send crews to assist in the devastated land. The Israel Defense Forces sent both search and rescue teams that sought remaining survivors, among crumbled buildings and homes as well sending medical teams to help care for the survivors. The medical team succeeded in setting up the first fully functioning field hospital, inclusive of an excess amount of advanced equipment. "During its time in Haiti, the delegation treated more than 1110 patients, conducted 319 successful surgeries, delivered 16 births including three by Cesarean sections and saved many from within the ruins."[6] On January 27, following the rescue team operations in Haiti, the Israeli government decided to continue its official assistance to Haiti coordinated through MASHAV, Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in part of a global effort to reconstruct the country.[7] Local Jewish Israeli-Haitian businessman, Daniel Kedar, has become the de facto coordinator for Israeli forces in Haiti.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Haitian Government Recognizes State of Israel; Becomes 48th Nation to Do So". Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  2. ↑ "Haiti". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  3. ↑ "First Jews In Haiti". Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  4. ↑ "Haiti". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  5. ↑ "Haiti’s Jews try to pick up the pieces". JTA: The Global Jewish News Source. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  6. ↑ "Haiti". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  7. ↑ "Haiti". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  8. ↑ "Two Haitian Jews working with IDF to help survivors". J weekly. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
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