I definitely agree with you, government should have accepted aid offers and there is no valid excuse for not doing this. however I need to correct you about a few points. saying that erdoğan does not care about deaths because they are kurds is insane, since erdoğan has a significant number of kurdish voters. although it looks like that in eastern cities bdp dominates, when considered entire kurdish population all over the country I can comfortably say that erdoğan has the lion's share of kurdish votes thus never acts in a way to lose kurdish votes. and, I'm so sad and angry for the idiots in local papers who are happy for this quake, as I say, they are a bunch of idiots and condemned by the most of people. I just want to hope that it is not their true views but an exaggerated reaction to the terrorist attacks occured a few days ago. (it does not justify of course)

Turkey, just like Italy in the last earthquake, politely said no to international help offers. Turkey, just like Italy, has enough capabilities to handle this disaster on its own. The only help accepted is from Azerbaijan because Azerbaijan is our brothers, Azerbaijan has many citizens in Van, and it is very close to Van. As for your Kurdish issue assumption, this is your assumption, it is wrong and ugly. No one ever mentioned this in Turkey. Also, Ercis is almost all Turkish populated town, it is a historical Turkish town. There are Kurdish villages and Kurdish population spread around Van, but this doesn't make Van a Kurdish city. Have you already ethnically cleansed non-Kurdish people from Van and the southeast Turkey in your minds?! David, I live in Israel. In Israel in the past few months a program has been broadcasted at least dozens of times a day. It says: "We helped Turks before, in the next earthquake, f..k them, nah yardim ederiz." It also makes the hand gesture of 'nah'. Is this Israel's humanity?! No, thanks. And #8 and #15 please don't start giving lecture on humanity before you know what you talk about.

DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CREATURE WRITING STUPIDITIES IS TESTING YOUR NERVES AND IS ENJOYING FROM THE TORRENT OF PROTESTS HE HAS CREATED BY HIS COMMENTS! THEREFORE I SUGGEST NOT TO ANSWER TO HIS COMMENTS ! WHEN HE WILL SEE THAT NOBODY IS INTERESTED TO HIS WRITINGS HE WILL DISAPPEAR FOREVER !!!

The fact is tha tteh israeli government did not do NAH to Turkey in this dark day (kara gun) instead offered a helping hand. it would have been very valuable if it was accepted and the families of Van would have appreciated it. The fact that PM Erdogan and his government turned it down shows a disrespect to the people of Van. And do not forget that Israel graciously accepted the help that Turkey offered during the disastrous fires. Tjis is not a political matt5er, it is a matter of humanity. The Isreali help could have saved lives and just like they did in the past in Adapazari could have build prefabricated housing in a very short time before those poor people are hit with the cold days of Van which I am very familiar.

You are comparing Turks to suicide bombers; cutting off their nose to spite their face. People will die because of your 'pragmatism'. Easy for you to say, especially from Maryland. Too easy.

Cant understand why my comments are never printed? they are never abusive as some are or racist as some are yet you don't print them... Why? one would think a person with a pro-Israel stance from the other side of the planet would count for something... obviously not! very Bizarre.

Perhaps the Turkish people need to come to grips with the fact that they need new leadership.

are you high? im not provocking any one just saying my opinion seems u cant stand to it, nothing i can do about it

First, thank you for the clarification regarding Van. We have learned something thanks to you. As far as 'humanity' is concerned: The broadcasts do reflect opinion, but not all opinion. Listen to the Israeli governments offers. These are based on humanity. There is also an Israeli rescue organization that cooperates with their Turkish counterparts that stands ready to help. This is also humanity. The 'humanity' Israel hears from Turkey is the same as you hear. On one side, Turkey sent aid to Israel in fighting the fires. On the other hand, Turkey sent the IHH on boats to break a legal blockade (with outdated medicines) and blames Israel for the consequences when Turkey challenged Israel and got hurt. The real fear of Israelis is not political. It is that, although Israel can help (more rescue teams are better than less), Turkey will say no for political reasons, causing the needless deaths of people still trapped in the destruction. The Turks I know are not this kind of people.

feed the troll