In September, YWN-Israel reported that HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef spoke out in an extremely harsh tone regarding Turkey’s new position on Israel, becoming a vehement enemy, working to enlist the international community against Israel. The Rav warned that the words and actions of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan do not go unnoticed by HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Others also warned, including Rabbi Nir Ben-Artzi, who about six weeks ago traveled to the north to visit Kivrei Tzaddikim, releasing statements at that time that the “destruction in Turkey would soon come”.
There can be no doubt that the Turkish leader now finds himself in a situation, with local leaders calling for assistance from the international community following a major earthquake in eastern Turkey today, 25 Tishrei. Erdogan must now decide between saving as many victims as he can and saving face, as he has verbally scorned Israel in every possible world forum over recent months, but he is aware that few countries have a team that possess the expertise of the IDF Homefront Command’s search & rescue team, as well as the Zaka team, both well seasoned in operating abroad following natural disasters.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have already given the order to offer Turkey any and all assistance, with Ganz instructing the Homefront Command to “gear up” and be prepared to travel on a moment’s notice. Barak has instructed his senior staff to contact Turkey to offer any and all assistance.
Latest reports from Turkey indicate hundreds have been killed in the earthquake.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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10 Responses
Yesh din v’yesh Dayan
Tzadikim gozrim v’Hashem mikayim
maybe that’s why h-m got all israelis out of turkey! sadly there are turkish jews still there. does anybody know how they feared?
We shouldn’t be happy to hear that innocent people died. Erdogan is a Rasha that doesn’t mean written should paint the whole country with a broad brush. He will get his.
Wow I’m not usually one to say this but it’s pretty cool that this prediction actually came before the news of the earthquake…
Horav es revenue
While I greatly respect Ha-Rav Yosef, in all fairness, large earthquakes are common in the region, and especially in Turkey, and I don’t think he had anything to do with it.
U right but why did it have to happen right after Jewish holidays
Moshe emes vetoroso emes
Yidden wake up! The way people act and speak toward Rav Ovadia is terrible! Hes one of the top gedolim in our generation!
4. In your pithy mind they are innocent however in the eyes of HKBH, they needed to die.