I must admit that I became emotional last night when I heard the incredible story of how three generations were saved from the destruction in Ercis, the city in Turkey rocked by the earthquake. How could any father remain apathetic seeing a two-week old baby rescued from the rubble still alive? The suffering of any baby is the suffering of all fathers. Race doesn't matter, nor does religion or nationality, when it comes to the same dear baby. What the hell do such categories matter in a situation like this- It appears that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also understood that there are situations in which personal or national honor are not at the top of the list of priorities, niether for the leader nor for the nation. Humanitarian aid must come before all other considerations in situations such as these. Erdogan apparently thought for the first 48 hours of this disaster that he could handle it alone, based on Turkish abilities (and Turkey does have many). But sometimes a little help from one's friends can't hurt, even if a black cat has recently crossed the path between the two. Those affected by the earthquake legitimately expect help. Their fury, apparently, reached Ankara. Erdogan then turned to the proper addresses, including Israel. When the Carmel forest was aflame, we did not hesitate to receive help from Turkey. This time we will help them. That's how it goes. With respect to humanitarian assistance, I'm not sure Netanyahu and Erdogan are the ones dictating the events anyway. With humanitarian disasters, there are higher authorities, with all due respect to political leaders. Despite this, foreign leaders worldwide long ago understood the hidden potential of humanitarian assistance. But this is not the time to think about that. This is the time to think about helping those injured in Turkey as if they were injured Israelis. Just as the Turkish pilots fought the flames in the Carmel as if they were threatening the residents of Istanbul. Turkey and Israel have been friendly since the era of first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion's "Peripheral Alliance." Indeed, Erdogan chose to let these relations deteriorate following Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2008, an unfortunate choice. No one knows what tomorrow will bring nor what awaits us in the future. These are uncertain times, even though we are countries with strong economies. Even Turkey, champions of growth, fear a sudden recession. So these days, when no one really knows how tomorrow will look, isn't it preferable to consider, for a moment, fraternity and cooperation? If not for us, at least for another two-week old baby who may be awaiting help under the rubble. There is nothing loftier, sir Prime Minister Erdogan, than helping your neighbor. This time us, and next time, you.
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