PALESTINIAN FIREFIGHTERS HONOURED FOR BATTLING ISRAEL’S FIRE

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on December 11 awarded a certificate of appreciation to Palestinian fire-fighters who joined the battle against the wildfire that erupted in northern Israel two weeks ago. Abbas said in the letter he extended to Brig. Gen. Ahmed Rezik, the head of Palestinian Civil Defence, that “you have done a great job. We are not late in doing our humanitarian duties.” On December 2, a wildfire started in Israel’s northern Carmel region. It has claimed the lives of 41 people and has burned more than 50,000 dunams. Thousands of people have also been evacuated from their homes. “There was the tragedy in our neighbouring country. It was our duty to do a humanitarian work towards our neighbours, to preserve the environment and also the human soles.” Abbas stressed that “the Palestinian people will not be late in doing his humanitarian duty towards the entire world, whether it is toward Israel or elsewhere, in accordance with our abilities.