Turkish ambassador thanks Israel for earthquake aid
At an official ceremony celebrating the return of Israel’s aid team at Ben Gurion International Airport, Turkish Ambassador Şakir Özkan Torunlar said, “Thank you very much, Israel.”
He called the earthquake “the largest national disaster of the past 100 years.”
Torunlar praised the countries that sent aid to Turkey.
“Thirteen and a half million people were affected, there were over 31,000 casualties, and close to 100,000 wounded. But thanks to the friends of Turkey, many were saved by search and rescue teams in the field.”
Torunlar also praised the Israel's quick response. “The government of Israel was among the first to provide its team,” Torunlar said. “I salute those who landed in the disaster zone and immediately started their task. You saved 19 Turks.”
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.