By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Two humanitarians from Israel and Palestine asked for stronger cooperation from South Korea for activities to help the troubled people in the world.
Noam Yifrach, chairman of Magen David Adom (MDA) of Israel, and Younis Ai-Khatib, president of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) arrived Seoul to help expand philanthropic activities with their Korean counterpart, the Republic of Korea National Red Cross (KRC).
In an interview with The Korea Times, the two peacemakers noted the importance of Korea’s role for world peace. ``We want to thank the Korean Red Cross for their contribution for achievement between MDA and PRCS. We had no connections in the East and I think Korea will be our door to the East,’’ Yifrach said.
The two Wednesday received the Korean Red Cross’s most honorable award, Taegug Award from KRC president Lee Se-Ung. KRC acknowledged their contribution toward simplifying procedures for transferring patients in the conflict zone in support of Korea.
``We go for one movement, same mission of enhancing human dignities and meet the needs of troubled people. We look forward to work in this principle with the Korean Red Cross,'' Ai-Khatib said.
Hanseo University president Ham Kee-sun offered, Thursday, honorary doctorate degrees for their contribution and commitment to world peace. After the ceremony, Hanseo University also inaugurated a monument, ``Hill of Peace’’ to encourage their continued cooperation.
The two humanitarian organizations, MDA and PRCS, started to participate in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 2006 thanks to the two leaders’ efforts to help the needy and the injured in the conflicted region regardless of political interests.
The agreement seeks free operational activities of the organizations within the jurisdiction of the other society such as free access of Israel ambulances in all Palestine areas as well as that of Palestine ambulances to East Jerusalem.
To reach the agreement, they said, they had to get through a lot of barriers. ``Usually Muslim countries vote against our membership because of the political problem of Israel and Palestine,'' Yifrach said. Also, he said he had to lobby and persuade the Israeli government, as it didn't want to accept the occupied territory as a jurisdiction.
``There are still many things to be done. For example, free access of ambulances to check points. We also need to educate people (about the agreement),’’ Ai-Khatib said.
As for relations between South and North Korea, the two said two Koreas need to respect each other more and Korean Peninsula is in a more advanced situation than theirs.
``At the end of the day, human beings are human beings. We need to embrace the unprotected regardless of nationalities or what regions they live in,’’ Ai-Khatib said.