Israeli Humanitarian Aid Reaches Turkey; Turkish Government Unmoved

After the machinations of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ingratiate himself with the Islamists and set about pushing a confrontation with Israel over its blockade of Gaza that led to the Mavi Marmara incident, Turkey has continued on its demands for apologies and reparations for Israel's actions.

Israel refuses to give an apology over the incident, and under international law it has no reason to do so. It was justified to engage in the blockade to prevent the terror group Hamas from being resupplied by sea, and terrorists on board the Mavi Marmara assaulted the boarding Israeli forces who had to use deadly force in self-defense.

One would think then that Israel would then do nothing when a deadly earthquake struck Turkey, with a death toll that is now well over 500.

You would be wrong.

Israel has sent humanitarian aid and offered search and rescue services. This is what Israel does. Israel will send humanitarian aid all over the world, including to other Arab countries in times of need, and gets nothing but scorn and derision from those countries' regimes in return.

The Israeli plane brought seven prefabricated houses and other supplies, NTV television reported said. The plane was redirected to Ankara because the airport near Van, the hardest-hit area, was too small.

Eight other countries were expected to deliver mobile homes and blankets during the day, news reports said.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized Turkey’s appreciation for the Israeli assistance but reiterated that humanitarian gestures during a natural disaster would not affect strained relations.

Turkey is demanding an official Israeli apology and compensation for the relatives of eight Turks and an American citizen of Turkish descent who were killed when Israeli commandos intercepted a Turkish aid flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza last year.

As desperation grew in the affected areas, TV news reports on Wednesday showed chaotic scenes of people grabbing supplies from relief trucks, and an official with the Turkish Red Crescent put the number of trucks that had been ransacked at 17, the Anatolian Agency reported.

More than 50 countries offered assistance almost immediately after the earthquake; the government initially declined the offers, saying it had sufficient resources. But as the needs for tents and other supplies have become more clear, the government has begun reaching out for foreign aid.

Turkey has accepted the humanitarian aid, which includes prefabricated buildings, which are critical since the affected region around Van has been hit with a snowstorm and cold weather. It's miserable conditions to say the least, and Israel's assistance will be greatly appreciated by those who get the aid.

Yet, Turkey's government says that this does nothing to change its stance towards Israel.

Because that's what hypocritical governments and people do.