WASHINGTON — The Israeli government has offered on Tuesday assistance through the Red Cross to victims of a deadly earthquake in Iran and Iraq.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the offer in a live Q&A with a gathering of the Jewish Federations in Los Angeles. The assistance is meant to show Israel’s commitment to friendship with the people of Iran and Iraq, despite the activities of their governments, the premier stated.
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the borderlands between those two countries on Sunday, killing an estimated 500 people and injuring over 7,500 more.
The State Department offered thoughts and prayers to the victims of the earthquake on Monday: “The United States expresses its sincere condolences to all of those affected by the earthquake in Iran and Iraq,” said spokeswoman Heather Nauert. “We keep the families of those who were killed, and injured, in our thoughts as well as the communities that have suffered damage to homes and property.”
Neither Baghdad nor Tehran recognize Israel, or its right to exist, and did not immediately respond to its offer of aid.