Israel brings White Helmets to safety
They made a name for themselves by rescuing civilians from war zones in Syria, but now they are in danger: 422 members of the Syrian aid organisation White Helmets and their families have been rescued from the combat area in the south of Syria - by the Israeli army. The press reacts positively to the spectacular rescue of the rescuers.
A moment of humanity
The current events should set an example in the region, the Tages-Anzeiger hopes:
“This is a moving humanitarian gesture that has momentarily overcome the hostility and the overriding preoccupation with security in the region: Jordan has taken in the endangered rescuers before they move on westward. The gesture gives us an idea of what would be possible in terms of humanitarian gestures in this afflicted region if there were more moments in which hostility and security concerns were overcome on all sides.”
Saviour in hour of need
Writing in her blog on Polityka, Middle East expert Agnieszka Zagner is full of praise for Israel's rescue action:
“Israel helped to save people who the entire Western world sees as heroes. The White Helmets have rescued at least 100,000 people from the war zone, often dragging them out of the rubble with their bare hands. ... Israel deserves credit for this. There was no time to lose, since the rebels were being expelled from practically the entire south of the country. There was no other way for them to flee, since the regime has regained control over the Jordanian border. The only way of evacuating them was across the Golan Heights.”