Thousands of Israelis Missing in Attacks in US: Army Radio

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has received a namelist of 4,000 Israelis, who are believed to be in the areas of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon at the time of the attacks in the United States and have so far not yet contacted their friends or family, Army Radio reported Wednesday.

The Israeli consulate in New York has set up eight hotline numbers for people to call for information on missing friends and relatives.

The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem has also set up an emergency hotline for Israelis searching for missing friends or relatives in the United States.

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disaster rescue unit made up of 120 soldiers is scheduled to leave for New York City Wednesday afternoon to assist U.S. authorities in rescue operations.

The Israeli transport flight will be given special permission to land in the New York area. American airspace remains closed at this time to all except military flights.

In the meantime, Israelis flags at schools around the nation are flying at half-mast Wednesday in mourning of the American victims of Tuesday's terror attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared Tuesday night that Wednesday would be a day of mourning for victims of the terrorist attacks in the Untied States. Flags on government office buildings are also flying half-mast Wednesday.






People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/