Aid sent to families in Israel

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has announced increased funding of emergency aid for families in southern Israel and new security projects to assist communities in the line of fire.

According to a news release, rocket attacks on cities in southern Israel are continuing as the IDF launches a wide assault on terrorists and military infrastructure in Gaza Strip.

A $2.7 million emergency and security aid package includes supplies for the people in communities under fire in southern Israel, including Netivot, Sderot, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, Sdot Negev, and Eshkol.

The news release said the assistance includes basic supplies for children and families and the elderly in shelters--including food, medicine, diapers, blankets, mattresses, and generators.

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and CEO of The Fellowship said in the news release, "With 20 per cent of the nation's people in bomb shelters today, improving the security of the residents of the south is a vital priority for The Fellowship."

He added, "The untenable situation of more than 1 million residents living under constant threat of rocket fire must top the list of concerns of every friend of Israel. We are working hand-in-hand with the Israel Ministry for Home Front Defense and the IDF, and we will continue to cooperate to ensure the security of Israel's people."

According to the news release, Home Front Defense Minister Avi Dichter told the Jerusalem Post that The Fellowship's contribution would "enable communities to be active, whether in the form of emergency teams or the provision of emergency services such as health clinics and fortified public shelters... I applaud Rabbi Eckstein's move, which will directly affect the million residents of the South."

The $2.7 million in emergency assistance is in addition to a series of projects costing $5.6 million that The Fellowship has funded during the past year to strengthen the emergency security system in Israel.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein to promote understanding between Jews and Christians and build broad support for Israel and other shared concerns.