donating masks
donating masksAshkelon municipal spokesperson

The southern Israeli city of Ashkelon has sent 2,000 reusable face masks to the Jewish community of Baltimore in the United States to help deal with the coronavirus criris.

Ashkelon and Baltimore are sister cities. Since 2003, the Jewish community of Baltimore has sent emergency equipment and vehicles, money, and games for children to Ashkelon whenever the city has faced a security threat such as when Hamas launches rockets at the city from Gaza.

The Baltimore Jewish community has also contributed to programs which train youth in Ashkelon for how to act during emergencies.

"This is the first time that the two communities are experiencing a crisis at the same time," Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam said in a statement. "This is an opportunity for the city of Ashkelon to send support and love to the Jewish community there, because together we are stronger and together we will win and overcome this crisis."