Israel Promises Utmost Assistance to US

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Tuesday that the Israeli government will provide " any and all necessary assistance" to the United States hit by a series of attacks earlier in the day.

Shortly after the attacks, Sharon spoke with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer and expressed his condolences to the victims of the attacks, saying that Israel "is prepared to render any and all necessary assistance."

Israeli President Moshe Katsav expressed deep shock "over the disastrous and brutal terrorist attacks, perpetrated by heartless and bloodthirsty individuals."

Katsav has conveyed "deep sorrow" on behalf of the Israeli people to U.S. President George W. Bush.

Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer also expressed deep shock and condolences to the U.S. government and the American people.

Ben Eliezer has approved the dispatch of Israeli army rescue units to the United States.

He was also holding consultations with the security establishment in order to analyze the terrorist attacks in the United States with the goal of being able to respond to possible scenarios.

Israeli Transport Minister Ephraim Sneh has banned foreign passenger planes from flying to and from Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel has heightened security around U.S. installations in it.






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