A team of Israeli firefighting experts recently completed a week-long mission in Los Angeles, assisting American crews in combating the devastating Palisades Fire. Li-shay Amor, a member of the Israeli team, shared her experience, emphasizing the honor and opportunity to reciprocate past support.
Amor, a 34-year-old firefighter, left her family in Israel to join the mission, driven by a sense of duty to help those affected by the disaster. Witnessing the destruction firsthand, she expressed empathy for those who lost their homes and livelihoods. She described the collaborative spirit between the Israeli and American teams, highlighting the open communication and knowledge sharing that facilitated their joint efforts.
The devastation of the Palisades Fire at sunset in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The Israeli team brought a range of expertise, including logistics, operations, and wildfire management. Their arrival was facilitated by the Emergency Volunteers Project (EVP), a non-profit that has previously aided Israeli citizens and emergency services during national emergencies. EVP COO Scott Goldstein emphasized the organization's mission to save lives and the firefighters' eagerness to assist after receiving support from American firefighters in the past.
A team of Israeli firefighters helped American fire crews combat the Los Angeles inferno. (X/IsraelinLA)
A team of Israeli firefighters helped American fire crews combat the Los Angeles inferno. (X/IsraelinLA)
Amor commended the bravery and heroism of the American firefighters, emphasizing their dedication to rescuing and saving lives. She also noted the similar landscapes of Israel and California, particularly her hometown of Haifa, which experienced a major fire in 2016. This shared experience, she said, informed her approach to assisting in Los Angeles. Both Amor and Goldstein highlighted the comparable terrain, which allowed the Israeli team to apply their expertise effectively.
Fire engulfs a building as the Palisades Fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles Jan. 8, 2025. (Reuters/Ringo Chiu)
Reflecting on her experience, Amor expressed admiration for the firefighters and the collaborative spirit between the two nations. The House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans acknowledged the display of the special relationship between America and Israel.
