[TorontoCFE]

I spoke again to a customer who travels frequently to this area.
His opinion, which I defer to, is that since those particular areas have the highest concentration of Muslims, the prime minister did not wish to risk his shaky minority government for some very visible aid that may or may not be useful.

While material and money is always useful and hepful, it is possible that they honestly felt they did not need the extra manpower (and cramming too many people in the region would detract from the rescue).

He felt, and I agree, that Israel is considered one of their closest friends (he says some have great affection there for the military aid) and it had nothing to do with overall discrimination but rather internal politics and a careful measure of what was really needed and would be beneficial.