Israeli Aid Team Lands in Venezuela After Earthquakes

An Israeli humanitarian advance team landed in Venezuela Wednesday night to support recovery after the deadly earthquakes, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations since 2009. The IDF and Foreign Ministry said the team is led by Israel's ambassador-designate to Mexico Yoed Magen and Home Front Command Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Elad Edri; the current delegation has 28 people, including eight Home Front Command engineers and Foreign Ministry representatives, with more experts to follow. The team began coordination meetings with local authorities and emergency officials to map needs, assess buildings and prepare field work. Israel's disaster-response skill is again serving civilians where politics should not block lifesaving help.