Abbas honors Palestinian firemen who put out Carmel fire

Some 21 Palestinian firefighters took part in the effort to put out the huge wildfire along with other fire rescue teams from around the world.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Palestinian firefighters 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Palestinian firefighters 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday honored Palestinian firefighters who helped put out the Carmel blaze in the North.
“Our neighbors [Israel] faced a tragedy and it was our duty to do our humanitarian work toward our neighbors to protect the environment and human life,” Abbas said in a ceremony in his office in Ramallah.
RELATED:Palestinian firefighters come to Israel's aidPhoto Gallery: Israel fights fire with international helpAddressing the firefighters, Abbas said, “You have done a great job. In such humanitarian cases we’re never late to carry out our humanitarian duty.”
The firefighters and their commander each received a certificate of appreciation signed by Abbas. In the certificate, Abbas wrote: “This wonderful effort, which has been added to your other deeds in serving your people, affirms the civilized role that we and the rest of the world appreciate. It also provides evidence of our people’s determination to build the institutions of the future state.”
Some 21 Palestinian firefighters took part in the effort to put out the huge wildfire.