Israel’s Venezuela Earthquake Response: Humanitarian Mission Reflects National Character

Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, expressed gratitude to Israel for deploying “a highly specialized and professional group” to assist with the aftermath of twin earthquakes that struck the country. The team, organized through Venezuela’s Jewish community, is helping assess damaged structures to identify potential survivors and recover bodies, while also evaluating debris for future construction use.

The earthquakes on June 24 resulted in 3,535 fatalities, 16,740 injuries, and left 17,854 people without housing.

Israel responded swiftly, mobilizing multiple agencies including the Foreign Ministry, Health Ministry, KKL-JNF, SID Israel, and IsraAID. A 30-member IDF delegation, led by Brig.-Gen. Elad Edri, was sent at Venezuela’s request to conduct engineering assessments. The team has mapped approximately 1,300 damaged buildings, determining which are structurally unsound and which may be salvageable, while developing a multi-year rebuilding strategy.

This deployment exemplifies Israel’s tradition of providing emergency assistance worldwide, sending medical professionals, rescue teams, and disaster experts to regions affected by crisis. Every life matters, and rapid response often determines whether people survive. Through hardship, Israel has learned the critical importance of arriving quickly when seconds and structures mean the difference between life and death.

‘You do not need to be Israel’s friend, for Israel to help you’

The Venezuela mission underscores a key principle: humanitarian aid transcends diplomatic relations. Despite decades of hostility between the two nations—including public condemnations of Israel by former president Hugo Chávez, the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador in 2009, and a 20-year cooperation agreement with Iran—Israel acted without condition.

Under Chávez, Venezuela routinely criticized Israel, accusing it of crimes against Palestinians and even likening the IDF to the Nazis. The country severed ties with Israel during the 2009 conflict in Gaza. Yet this history has not prevented Israel from offering aid.

Israel’s strength of character on display for the world

Israel’s willingness to help, despite past aggression, reflects its national character. While diplomacy remains frozen, the Venezuelan people have witnessed Israeli personnel working diligently on the ground since the disaster.

The presence of Israeli soldiers in Venezuela challenges perceptions of the state as indifferent to suffering. Instead, it reveals a commitment to saving lives wherever they exist—even for nations that vehemently oppose Israel diplomatically.

Because Israel shows up, even its sharpest critics often offer thanks.

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