Saving the suffering victims of the Oct. 23 earthquake in southeastern Turkey would be Turkeys first priority you would think.
Think again.
Israel offered Turkey humanitarian assistance to cope with the 7.3 tremblor. The IDF said, Yes, despite the diplomatic hostilities and threats by Turkey against Israel, we will help the suffering victims.
Initially, Turkey said, No.
Israels President Shimon Peres said to Turkeys President Abdullah Gul in a telephone call:
The State of Israel shares in your sorrow following the earthquake that has claimed victims from among your people.
I speak as a man, as a Jew and as an Israeli who remembers, and is well aware of, the depth of the historic relations between our two peoples, and thus I send the condolences of the entire nation to the families of those who lost their lives. At this difficult time, the State of Israel is ready to render any assistance that may be required anywhere in Turkey, at any time.
Gul thanked Peres for the telephone call, the expression of condolences and the offer of assistance, according to the presidents office, and said that he hoped Turkish search and rescue could handle the emergency alone.
Last December, when a massive fire swept the Carmel Forest in Israel and Israel could not cope Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not place pride before pain. He asked for firefighting airplanes from many countries including Turkey. Turkey responded. Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Turkeys help. Asking for, receiving, and saying thank you for Turkeys assistance was not beneath Netanyahus dignity.
An earthquake victim knows no politics. The diplomatic stalemate did not stop Israel from asking Turkey for help. The same could not be said for Turkey until now.
Finally, when the massive dimensions of the earthquake left Turkey absolutely no choice, it did accept the offer of Israel (and of other countries) to help.
How many innocent people died in the meantime?
Meanwhile, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has begun collecting funds for Turkish relief and is working with Turkeys Jewish community to ensure that victims immediate needs are addressed.
Victims needs: thats all that counts.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
