Scenes of stranded backpackers at airports and remote places throughout the world have featured on news bulletins as the coronavirus pandemic takes hold.

In addition to youngsters on their overseas jaunts, there are also many older tourists who were enjoying a trip of a lifetime or visiting family in far-flung destinations. Large numbers are now stuck and prevented from returning home. In many cases, they have nowhere to stay and are hunkered down at airports. As flights are cancelled and countries shut their borders even for passengers in transit the situation is rapidly becoming a logistical and humanitarian disaster.

Most Governments have now washed their hands of the problem and basically told their nationals that they will need to fend for themselves. In other words “you are on your own and don’t expect us to provide any practical assistance.”

There is however one glaring exception to this sorry state of affairs.

Israel has once again shown how civilized countries should behave when their citizens are in trouble far away from their homeland. With the co-operation of various Israeli airline companies and the tireless work of dedicated staff at Israeli diplomatic missions, thousands of stranded people are being flown back from the four corners of the globe. No matter how remote or how complicated the route may be Israeli airlines are flying to Europe, South America, Africa and even Australia. In a first-ever non-stop flight to Perth, Israelis stranded in Australia and even New Zealand were airlifted back to the Holy Land.

When pressed to explain this amazing phenomenon the simple response from officials was “we don’t abandon family in times of distress.” This cardinal article of faith has been a characteristic over many years and explains why when faced with danger or threats to life no effort is spared to rescue and save.

What a contrast with most other countries. It demonstrates yet again what the Jewish State is really all about. Imagine if the State would have existed in the 1930’s and how many Jews would have been saved from annihilation. Today’s reality means that no Israeli is willfully abandoned. When I say Israeli it is important to remember that this encompasses all nationals without any distinction to their ethnicity, religion or social status.

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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz will be given the first opportunity to form a new government after an inconclusive national election this month, the country’s president said Sunday, raising questions about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future.

The decision by President Reuven Rivlin was announced by his office after he consulted with leaders of all of the parties elected to parliament. He will formally designate Gantz with the task on Monday and give him a month to cobble together a governing coalition.

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