Israel is attentively monitoring rescue operations in Turkey and offers any support it can. The first Israeli planes with humanitarian aid have landed in Ankara.
Israel was the first state to offer rescuers humanitarian aid. Israel has the best specialists and equipment to offer, as was seen after the earthquake in Turkey in 1999.
Israeli President Shimon Peres made a phone call to Turkish President Abdullah Gul. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Israeli officials offered support. They had friendly talks, but the help was rejected. Turkey underlined that help from all other states was rejected as well.
Israel was surprised by Turkey's position, to say the least. It continues to monitor the state of affairs. The Turkish earthquake has become the number one news topic. The Turkish government (probably after pressure from opposition and media) requested Israel to provide temporary accommodation for people who had lost their homes. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liebermann requested Defense Minister Ehud Barak to send mobile houses and medicines to Turkey immediately.
The first Boeing-747 with mobile houses, equipment for field hospitals, 2000 jackets, 2000 blankets and mattresses were sent on October 26. Israel is preparing new planes and a ship with aid for Turkey during publication of this article.
Israeli specialists will send equipment and help assemble it in Turkey, but will not be involved in rescue activities at this point. Israelis will have to operate right next to Iranian rescuers and volunteers from the IHH, the organizer of the Freedom Flotilla for Gaza, considered a terrorist organization in Israel. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says that aid will not affect the foreign relations of the two states.
Israel confirmed its readiness to provide any necessary support for Turkey, including clearing of damage. After the earthquake in 1999, Israel built 312 houses, a trade center, a school for 420 pupils, a clinic and a playground.
Author: Petr Lukimson, Israel. Exclusively for VK
