Israeli Government Proposes Aid Program for the Dominican Republic

The Israeli government will support programs earmarked to strengthen the economic, educational, environmental, technological, military and agricultural development in the Dominican Republic .

Peres, 83 years old, expressed profound appreciation for the historic gesture of the Dominican Republic when, in 1938, the country opened its doors to Jews fleeing persecution under the Nazi regime of Adolph Hitler.

Israeli President Shimon Peres made this announcement to his counterpart President Leonel Fernández in a private meeting held in the presidential headquarters.

After being received with full protocol honors, President Fernández began his meeting with President Peres, marking the first time a Dominican leader has met with an Israeli counterpart. President Fernández summarized Dominican history, recalling the first American invasion, the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, the overthrow of Juan Bosch in 1963, the War of April 1965 and the second US invasion in 1965, according to the Presidential Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

Following this explanation of the building of the Democratic process, Fernández laid out the challenges facing the DR in the areas of energy, education, environment, technology and health.

Peres, 83 years old, expressed profound appreciation for the historic gesture of the Dominican Republic when, in 1938, the country opened its doors to Jews fleeing persecution under the Nazi regime of Adolph Hitler. He went on to reiterate the willingness of his government to cooperate in programs that are required to implement progress in the future.

Concretely, Peres said that Israel is moving forward in the area of technological innovation, especially in the manufacturing of vehicles that operate on electric energy in an effort to save fossil fuels.

He encouraged the use of these types of vehicles in the DR, noting that they represent a significant savings of petroleum-derived combustibles.

Electric cars are already being used by Israel as well as other nations around the world, Peres explained.

The President of Israel expressed his country’s intention to help the DR in the areas of renewable energy and in the use of technology in the agricultural and educational sectors, areas in which Israel has made great advances.

Peres showed special interest in the quantity and high quality of the military training of the Armed Forces. He proposed a strategic alliance between the Israeli and Dominican military institutions with the idea of the Dominican soldiers taking advantage of Israel ’s experienced and knowledgeable Armed Forces.

He said that with the Dominican Republic ’s nearly 60,000 soldiers, the government should take advantage of the available military strength to improve its preparation and undertaking of traditional educational programs that prepare officers for various careers.

He explained that the Israeli government not only trains its military in self defense but that the Armed Forces constitute an important pillar in the development of the country, contributing in the areas of education, technology, health, environment, engineering and other areas of science.

He asked President Fernández to identify the needs of the Dominican Republic with the idea of forming a joint commission to put into place the cooperation and assistance agreement between the two countries. He added that his government is in a position to help in all areas where it can. 

 THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

Accompanying President Fernández to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum was his State Minister, César Pina Toribio; Administrative Director, Luis Manuel Bonetti; Vice President of the Dominican Corporation of State Electrical Companies, Radhamés Segura and the Executive Director of the Export and Investment Center , Eddy Martínez.

Through graphic testimony and evidence gathered by families of the victims, the Dominican President and his team observed the persecution against the Jews that occurred during that period. As a people that has historically been persecuted, the Jews make great efforts to maintain their history for posterity so that future generations will know of their frightening past and will work to build a future of peace, avoiding crimes against themselves and humanity at all cost.

Following the visit to the museum, President Fernández laid a wreath and signed the distinguished visitors book.

In addition, Fernández planted a tree in the Forest of the Nations where Efi Strenzler, world chief of the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Foundation, remarked on the symbolic gesture of planting a tree as an expression of friendship and solidarity among people.

Also accompanying President Fernández were business people Elena Viyella de Paliza, José Clase and the special guests Jottin Cury, Osvaldo Santana, Haime Tomás and Jimmy Sierra.