Israeli FM promises more humanitarian aid to Turkey in meeting with Erdogan

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met with Turkey’s President Erdogan on Tuesday, a week after a deadly earthquake which has left over 33,000 people dead. 

Cohen promised Erdogan that Israel would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Turkey in light of the many victims in need of help.

“The relations between Israel and Turkey are important for the stability of the region. We have been working to continue strengthening them recently,” Cohen said.

Cohen’s meeting with Erdogan comes after an Israeli search and rescue delegation, led by the IDF Home Front Command, wrapped up its mission to Turkey on Sunday, saving 19 people from the earthquake rubble.

The delegation began its activities on Tuesday last week and consisted of more than 160 participants, ranging from officers to soldiers, engineers, nurses and medics.

Erdogan thanked President Herzog for Israel’s assistance in a phone call shortly after the rescue team had begun its operations last week.