In an interview aired on Al-Jazeera satellite TV on January 13, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People's Affairs, Alwi Shihab, was asked by the host whether reports of the possible arrival of an Israeli aid team to the Aceh province were true.
The minister responded: "On the governmental level, we have heard nothing...We have no diplomatic relations with Israel. If there is a Jew, a Buddhist, or a Christian who is trying to provide aid, as our position is that we make no distinction between them, and that we will accept aid to support the victims of this disaster, we cannot say that a Jew is not allowed to provide aid, because it is a humanitarian act, which transcends the boundaries of religion and politics. However, as for a request from the Israeli government [to provide aid], this will not happen."
The clip, translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), can be viewed here.
On January 12, the day before the interview with Minister Shihab, an El Al plane carrying 75 tons of equipment donated by Israel and valued at $450,000 landed near the tsunami-affected area of Aceh. The cargo included:
* 16 tons of baby food donated by the Remedia and Materna companies.
* 30 tons of rice, flour, water, sugar and grains donated by the "Koach Latet" [Power to Give] organization as well as the Sugat and Osem companies.
* 5 tons of plastic sheeting donated by Hovav Plastica and Haogenplast.
* 20 tons of medicine produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals, donated through the "Koach Latet" organization.
* A water purification system valued at $20,000 produced by the Netafim manufacturer, donated by Shari Arison Glazer and the Shira Hadasha Congregation in Jerusalem. The manufacturer Netafim also donated a second system.
* A contribution of $300,000 of the Sacta-Rashi Foundation. Mark Solomon and the Friends of Yemin Orde Wingate Youth Village covered the cost of the flight.
* Ten communications networks produced by Gilat Satellite Networks, which provided two additional networks.
El Al provided the plane at minimal cost, and the Defense Ministry and Maman provided quick, efficient and free service at the airport.
The minister responded: "On the governmental level, we have heard nothing...We have no diplomatic relations with Israel. If there is a Jew, a Buddhist, or a Christian who is trying to provide aid, as our position is that we make no distinction between them, and that we will accept aid to support the victims of this disaster, we cannot say that a Jew is not allowed to provide aid, because it is a humanitarian act, which transcends the boundaries of religion and politics. However, as for a request from the Israeli government [to provide aid], this will not happen."
The clip, translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), can be viewed here.
On January 12, the day before the interview with Minister Shihab, an El Al plane carrying 75 tons of equipment donated by Israel and valued at $450,000 landed near the tsunami-affected area of Aceh. The cargo included:
* 16 tons of baby food donated by the Remedia and Materna companies.
* 30 tons of rice, flour, water, sugar and grains donated by the "Koach Latet" [Power to Give] organization as well as the Sugat and Osem companies.
* 5 tons of plastic sheeting donated by Hovav Plastica and Haogenplast.
* 20 tons of medicine produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals, donated through the "Koach Latet" organization.
* A water purification system valued at $20,000 produced by the Netafim manufacturer, donated by Shari Arison Glazer and the Shira Hadasha Congregation in Jerusalem. The manufacturer Netafim also donated a second system.
* A contribution of $300,000 of the Sacta-Rashi Foundation. Mark Solomon and the Friends of Yemin Orde Wingate Youth Village covered the cost of the flight.
* Ten communications networks produced by Gilat Satellite Networks, which provided two additional networks.
El Al provided the plane at minimal cost, and the Defense Ministry and Maman provided quick, efficient and free service at the airport.