Israeli Ambassador to Ankara Receives Letter From Assassinated Russian Diplomat

The day after the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, Israel’s new ambassador to Ankara, Eitan Naeh, received a letter welcoming him to his new post — from Karlov.

“I look forward with great pleasure in entering both into official and personal relations with you and avail myself of this opportunity to assure you of my sincere desire to maintain and strengthen the excellent relations which so happily exists between the two countries we serve,” read the letter.

Naeh told Israel Radio on Wednesday that the experience of opening the letter of the murdered diplomat was chilling. Apparently it was one of Karlov’s last official acts before being killed.

Naeh said that diplomats in Ankara are in shock over the murder. “These are difficult days for the diplomatic corps here,” he said.

Security for the Israeli diplomatic mission was strengthened in the wake of the assassination, and he commended Turkey as well.
“We are in good hands,” Naeh said. “The Turks are definitely cooperating and respond to all our requests, and even offer additional help.”