Israel mulls fundraiser for Syria

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JERUSALEM, March 11 (UPI) -- The Israeli Foreign Ministry is mulling a charity concert to raise funds for anti-government forces in Syria, a senior official said.

Haaretz Sunday reported an unnamed senior ministry official had confirmed the concert was being considered at the behest of Israeli singer and songwriter Arkadi Duchin, who asked for assistance to organize the event.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued a news release Friday offering humanitarian aid to the Syrians and said he may approve the charity fundraiser as part of a wider effort to express Israeli public support for the Syrian anti-government demonstrators, the newspaper said.

Duchin told the paper: "I made the offer from a human and a humanitarian place."

Last week, Syrian rebels declined an offer for humanitarian aid from Israel that was conveyed to them by the International Committee of the Red Cross at Lieberman's request, the paper said.