A Thaw in International Relations? Turkey Asks Israel for Help Following Earthquake

Teresa Neumann : Oct 25, 2011
Staff - Jerusalem Post

Israel responds by sending equipment to earthquake ravaged area.

(Israel)?The Jerusalem Post reports that Defense Minister Ehud Barak has given special permission to fly state-of-the-art equipment into Turkey to aid in rescue and recover after Turkey requested Israel's assistance.

To date, the death toll from the 7.2 earthquake is 432, but thousands more are missing and homeless.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to personally express his condolences and offer assistance, despite prior indications Turkey would not accept aid from Israel.

The communication and support is notable in light of friction between the two nations that escalated after last year's flotilla blockade incident.