JFNA Helps Israelis Battle Fires Caused by Kite Arson

New York, NY – Ten firefighters from across the U.S. arrived in Israel [on Tuesday] to help battle fires caused by “kite arson,” a tactic employed by Palestinian terrorists that has traumatized Israelis and caused millions of dollars in damage. The 10-day firefighters’ trip was coordinated by The Emergency Volunteers Project (EVP), one of three Israeli organizations to receive funding from Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) as a result of the kite arson phenomenon. The other two organizations were the Israel Trauma Coalition and the Jewish Agency for Israel Summer Respite Camp.
 
“Kite arson” represents a new threat to Israelis. The attackers tie small incendiary devices to the kites, often just a rag soaked in gasoline, which are lit before launching. Once high in the air, the string is cut and the kite or balloons fly independently. The westerly winds blowing in from the sea can propel them across the border to Israeli fields where they often ignite large fires in the very dry summer conditions. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, Hamas and other activists are behind many of the attacks that have sparked hundreds of fires and burned more than 7,500 acres of farmland, parks, and forests.
 
According to Richard Sandler, Chair of JFNA’s Board of Trustees, “Though we are fortunate that to date no one has been killed or physically injured by the kite terror, the wave of arson has caused devastating damage and emotional trauma. The harsh sights of blackened fields, damage to crops, agriculture, wildlife, people's livelihoods, and their connection with the land is having a devastating effect on all residents, young and old.

“For the first responders, it's even more difficult; they have to fulfill their duty during emergencies while carrying on with their daily jobs. Burnout among the firefighters who have been battling the 24 to 40 fires has dramatically increased.”

The EVP firefighters are American volunteers from the U.S. who have been trained and certified to support Israel in times of need. The group–from the communities of Baltimore, MD; Plantation and Hollywood, FL; Fort Worth, TX; and Los Angeles, CA–has been dispatched to Sderot, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Netivot.

The Jewish Federations of North America, collectively among the top 10 charities on the continent represents 147 Jewish Federations and 300 members of the Network communities to protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice) and Torah (Jewish learning). 

Emergency Volunteers Project’s (EVP) main mission is to help prepare Israel to be ready for the next crisis. Every year, EVP is training and deploying teams of responders to volunteer in the North, South, and center of Israel in emergency preparedness, and supporting local Israeli units with emergency equipment. In times of crisis, EVP deploys first responders and non-professional emergency responders to assist Israel’s emergency services and the civilian population. 

(The headline of the original story appeared as, "Jewish Federations of North America Help Israelis Battle Fires Caused by Kite Arson – 10 volunteer firefighters from the U.S. arrive in Israel and head to towns in the South.")

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