J Street Executive Director Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement:
J Street applauds Israel’s immediate and meaningful response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti last week. We are proud of and grateful to the many Israelis who have risked their own lives to save those in dire need of medical attention and other emergency services. Israel’s swift response to another nation’s needs speaks to the very best of the values underpinning the Jewish tradition and the best of what that country represents as the national home of the Jewish people. It did, in this instance, serve as a real model for the international community. We urge those who might otherwise disagree with Israeli policy and action to commend Israel for reacting so swiftly and making a positive contribution at this time of urgent international need.