Peres, Netanyahu send condolences to Erdogan

In letter to Turkish leader, President writes news of his mother's death 'received with much sadness'

Associated Press פורסם: 10.10.11, 17:34

Israeli leaders have sent condolences to Turkey's prime minister in a rare gesture of friendship at a time of deep strains between the former allies.

Both President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent their letters on news of the death of the mother of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan carries mother's casket (Photo: Reuters) (צילום: רויטרס)

Peres wrote Sunday that the news "was received with much sadness," and he empathized with "the boundless sorrow" of Erdogan's loss.

Erdogan's mother died Friday.

Turkish-Israeli relations were badly bruised following a deadly Israeli navy raid on an international flotilla to Gaza that left nine Turks dead in 2010. In September, Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and suspended military ties because Israel has not apologized.