Israel Police delegation praised upon return from Haiti

Lieberman says officers enhance Israel's image and status at ceremony in honor of officers who helped impose law and order in Haiti.

By HERB KEINON
Yasam police Haiti 311 (photo credit: Israel Police)
Yasam police Haiti 311
(photo credit: Israel Police)
The 14 Israeli police officers who returned recently from Haiti to help boost the international police force there have done more to enhance Israel’s image and status more than any “conventional” diplomatic efforts, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday.
Lieberman’s comments came at a ceremony at the Foreign Ministry during which the officers were presented with citations of appreciation by Lieberman, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and Deputy Police Insp.-Gen. Ilan Franco.
The delegation left for Haiti in August at the request of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for an Israeli presence as part of a multinational police force in Haiti to help impose law and order following January’s massive earthquake.
According to a statement put out by the Foreign Ministry, UN representative Maxwell Gillard thanked the officers for their contribution and expressed appreciation for their personal sacrifice.
The head of the delegation, Ch.-Supt. Meir Namir, said the delegation represented Israel with honor and “delivered the goods” in terms of the values represented and the professionalism demonstrated.
This was the second Israeli police force delegation to go to Haiti this year. The first group of 10 officers was dispatched there soon after the earthquake hit in February.