When I was alerted to the news that Mount Carmel was burning, I felt true sorrow as I had the good fortune to visit Haifa in 2006 and was able to enjoy the beauty the forests of Mount Carmel offered to visitors. Haifa is indeed, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful cities in the whole Mediterranean.

I did joke with my friends then and likened it to Ýzmir. In any case, when it became clear that there were dozens of deaths due to the forest fire raging through the mountain hills of Carmel it was clear that a serious ecological and human disaster was at hand. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan did not hesitate for a moment to extend a helping hand to beat the raging fire. When Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu briefed him on the fire, he immediately ordered our Foreign Ministry to contact its Israeli counterpart and see whether Turkish aid was welcome. As soon as the news arrived that the response was positive, Prime Minister Erdoðan ordered Environment and Forestry Minister Veysel Eroðlu to immediately send two firefighting aircraft to Israel.

My understanding is that the arrival of the two planes was welcomed in Israel and along with assistance from other countries was instrumental in bringing the fire that ruined that beautiful mountain forest under control. As regrettable and devastating as the fire was for the inhabitants of Mount Carmel, the solidarity shown reminded us that even glimpses of a different region generate hope. Turks have been impacted by the human losses involved. This is because not only have we also suffered from immense forest fires ourselves, but also because of the emergence of a humanitarian concern in the midst of our tense bilateral relations. It is clear that there is an opportunity that needs to be built upon. The Israeli government is aware of what needs to be done to put relations back on track.

Prime Minister Erdoðan has been impacted by the human tragedy in Gaza. He was and still is concerned about the humanitarian situation there. He was equally disturbed by the death of our citizens on the Mavi Marmara in May. On Thursday night he reacted to the news of the fire and the human losses involved with prompt leadership and demonstrated his sensitivity to the losses Israel has suffered. On Friday he reminded us that it was a human and Muslim reaction to help one in need.

We have always said Turkey and Israel are two countries with a long history of friendship. There are norms for resolving conflict between friendly countries. In international relations there are plenty of examples of how mature countries resolve such issues among themselves. Turkey and Greece began a commendable rapprochement in 1999 when Greek rescue workers rushed to the aid of devastated earthquake victims in Turkey. The footage of Greek rescue workers pulling Turkish victims from the rubble proved to be key in shaping Turkish public perceptions in favor of rapprochement. Israeli rescue workers also were swift in reacting to the Turkish earthquake in 1999, and it is still very much appreciated. In every crisis there is an opportunity. We will see soon whether the leadership and courage needed for resolving the current tension are there. The ball is in Israel’s court.