(Communicated by Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
President Ezer Weizman yesterday (Tuesday)
21.12.99, sent a letter of condolences on behalf of the people of Israel
to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez over the loss of life and devastation
caused by the floods.
The Foreign Ministry is arranging a shipment of aid to Venezuela, including an especially large supply of medicine. The JNF and other organizations are joining in the effort. Kibbutz Artzi is organizing donations from people and has opened centers at Kibbutz Yakum, Tivon and at Beit Hashirion in Tel Aviv. Centers will also be opened in Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva and Ra'anana. The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Defense Ministry, is considering whether to send a medical team in order to help meet needs as defined by the Venezuelan government.