Israel Peeing Against The Wind

Israel loading Turkey-bound planes.

Israeli aid sent to Turkey in wake of a massive earthquake that struck the country will not alleviate tense ties between the two countries, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu indicated on Thursday.

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On Tuesday, Turkey accepted aid from Israel for the first time since the 7.2 earthquake struck the country's east, after rejecting several offers by top Israeli officials.

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However, speaking to Turkey's Today's Zaman newspaper on Thursday, the Turkish FM indicated that Ankara's acceptance of Israeli aid did not signal an improvement in diplomatic ties, saying it would not change its “principled position.”

Speaking with his Jordanian counterpart, Davutoğlu was quoted by Today's Zaman as saying that “political conditions remain,” referring to Turkey's demand that Israel formally apologize for the 2010 raid, and that Israel lift its blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The structures Israel has sent Turkey are meant to provide refuge to survivors who lost their homes in the natural disaster, with Jerusalem planning to send additional temporary structures in the coming days. Turkey, however, has refused to accept Israeli assistance in rescuing victims from the wreckage.

HAARETZ