Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

[Artsakh]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

Turkey: Turkish Flotilla 'Not Ankara's Concern'
by Maayana Miskin

A flotilla that plans to sail to Gaza in defiance of Israel's naval ban on Hamas is “not Ankara's concern,” Turkish officials said Thursday. Last year nine Turkish citizens were killed on a similar flotilla.

Israel's Ambassador to Turkey, Gaby Levy, had warned the Turkish government that an attempt to deliver goods to Gaza outside existing channels would be considered a provocation. All goods may be delivered to Gaza by land, with the exception of weapons and “dual use” materials that can be used in weapons manufacture.

The new flotilla plans to sail from Turkey in late May, under the auspices of the Free Gaza Movement, a extremist group that has shown support for Hamas. Previous “flotilla” activists have met with senior Hamas terrorists, including Ismail Haniyeh, the group's head in Gaza.

Its goal is to “break the siege of Gaza,” allowing Hamas to import and export materials with no oversight.

Last year, a similar flotilla set sail for Gaza. Included was the ship Mavi Marmara, which included many passengers affiliated with the Turkish Islamic group IHH.

When the ships refused to stop as they approached Gaza, IDF commandos boarded the vessels in order to turn them towards an Israeli port. The passengers on most boats complied. Passengers aboard the Mavi Marmara, however, attacked the soldiers with clubs and knives, and dragged three wounded soldiers below decks.

Fearing a kidnapping, the commandos opened fire on their assailants, killing nine. Turkey accused Israel of murder over the incident, and cut ties with Israel, demanding an apology.

While the 2010 flotilla claimed to carry humanitarian goods for Gaza residents, when the boats were unloaded it was revealed that most of the “aid” was worthless, and that the Mavi Marmara had carried no aid at all.

The Mavi Marmara is to be the flagship of the planned May 2011 flotilla.


(IsraelNationalNews.com)

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143584

[Artsakh]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

WATCH THIS:

'Turkey-Cause for Concern?' - Herzliya Conference 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0enoDcn8pbE&feature=player_embedded

[Artsakh]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

What is The Right Way to Treat Turkey?

by Gil Ronen

The Herzliya Conference hosted a fascinating panel debate on Turkey on Thursday, with some of the panelists urging Israel and the West to have patience with Turkey despite its aggressive behavior. Turkish diplomats were present in the audience.

Prof. Soli Ozel of Bilgi University, Turkey, reminded the audience that in 2005, Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan visited Israel and shook hands with Ariel Sharon. Two years later, President Shimon Peres visited and spoke in Hebrew in Turkey's parliament. While it is true that Turkey "appeared to be covering for [Iranian leader Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad" in some ways, he said, it is also trying to balance out Iran's influence in Lebanon, in Iraq and Gaza.

Barry Rubin, of the Inter-Disciplinary Center in Herzliya, expressed Israel's apprehension regarding Turkey: "We should remember what the Turkish model meant two years ago and for many years before that. The Turkish model meant a secular democratic state which was very pro-Western, a loyal ally of NATO, a reliable partner, an opponent of radical regimes. Now the Turkish model has become - 'well, they're Islamist but they're not too Islamist, they're pro-Iran and pro-Syria, and pro-Hizbullah and pro-Hamas, but not too... and they totally disregard Western-US foreign policy interests but not 100%.' Domestically, the Turkish model is a road toward Islamization."

Dr. Constanze Stelzenmuller (German Marshall Fund) said she could understand why Israel is upset, but said that Turkey "slightly overrates its weight" in the diplomatic world. "In the long run, this policy of engaging with Russia, Iran, Syria and others is going to prove disappointing and frustrating [for Turkey] in many ways. In the long run it will find that it has more steady allies in Europe and the US. She urged that the West have "a little bit of patience" with Turkey.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/142258

[Artsakh]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

Turkey: xxxish Cemetery Desecrated on Passover

by Maayana Miskin
Follow Israel news on and .


A xxxish cemetery in Beyoglu, Turkey was desecrated during the Passover holiday, the European xxxish Press has reported. Vandals damaged eight tombstones.

Police are investigating the incident, which may have been caught on film.



Growing anti-Israel sentiment in Turkey has led to concern that anti-Semitism may grow as well. Turkey is home to an estimated 20,000 xxxs, some of whom already feel the need to hide their religious observance.

Turkey's xxxish leaders have joined their government in condemning Israel over the Mavi Marmara incident. However, despite public anti-Zionism, more than 100 Turkish xxxs immigrated to Israel in 2010, and more have arrived in 2011, joining an estimated 100,000 xxxs born in Turkey who now live in the xxxish state.

An incident similar to the Beyoglu attack took place in Greece, where vandals set fire to holy books in a synagogue on Passover. Police have since arrested two suspects in the incident.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143784

[Federate]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

The reason why Iran is active in Syria and Lebanon is to counter and deter an Israeli attack against it's nuclear facilities. Don't delude yourself into thinking that they are there to aid the Palestinians. As the Palestinians have sadly been all but bulldozed out of existence at this point and are a political non-entity.

While I agree with this, there is more than one motivation. Don't forget that pre-1979 Iran (Shah era) had normal (if not good) relations with Israel and that after the Islamic Revolution, Iran severed all ties with Israel in the name Islamic solidarity with the Palestinians, something the Palestinians' own fellow Arabs have sometimes failed to do. So there is a little bit of both.

[retro]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

I believe you are correct - the US also needs to deal with Iran as a hedge against Russian power, but Iran won't deal with the US. Turkey is the Muslim face of the U.S. and the U.S. is trying that avenue now to get Iran away from Russian/Chinese cooperation.

The funny thing about Turkey calling Israel a "persecutor" is that they are about 60 years too late in pointing that out.

The other bizarre thing is that the U.S. constantly attacks Iran, but look at who it's allies are: Turkey, Israel, & Saudi Arabia = genocidal maniacs.

Yes as long as Iran and Syria shelter within Russia's sphere, the West won't risk being drawn into a regional conflict.

The reason why Iran is active in Syria and Lebanon is to counter and deter an Israeli attack against it's nuclear facilities. Don't delude yourself into thinking that they are there to aid the Palestinians. As the Palestinians have sadly been all but bulldozed out of existence at this point and are a political non-entity.

Whilst the Europeans view Turkey, as something of a Anglo-American/Islamist Trojan horse. American has very little to lose by allying with Turkey. Saudi Arabia has oil however it is an even more unlikely ally of the US.

The whole Sunni Jihadists thing is a farse and that crowd are a good better at vilifying the West. Than they are addressing their own peoples shortcomings or establishments systemic corruption.

Iran is isolated and the Arabs and both Turkey and Israel have a vested intrested in keeping it that way. So does Iran's theocratic regime, since the only way that it can hold on power is via suppression and tyranny.

The Turk has no credibility amongst the Arabs know better than to trust the Turks. However it's a mistake to sell the Arabs to short or to underestimate Turkey's Arabization and if you ask me. It's only a question of time before large parts of southern Turkey start babbling in Arabic.

[gegev]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

I believe you are correct - the US also needs to deal with Iran as a hedge against Russian power, but Iran won't deal with the US. Turkey is the Muslim face of the U.S. and the U.S. is trying that avenue now to get Iran away from Russian/Chinese cooperation.

The funny thing about Turkey calling Israel a "persecutor" is that they are about 60 years too late in pointing that out.

The other bizarre thing is that the U.S. constantly attacks Iran, but look at who it's allies are: Turkey, Israel, & Saudi Arabia = genocidal maniacs.

I like your definition of Turkey, it clearly reflects the reality.

[Mos]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

I believe you are correct - the US also needs to deal with Iran as a hedge against Russian power, but Iran won't deal with the US. Turkey is the Muslim face of the U.S. and the U.S. is trying that avenue now to get Iran away from Russian/Chinese cooperation.

The funny thing about Turkey calling Israel a "persecutor" is that they are about 60 years too late in pointing that out.

The other bizarre thing is that the U.S. constantly attacks Iran, but look at who it's allies are: Turkey, Israel, & Saudi Arabia = genocidal maniacs.

Turkey is just saying that to Israel in order to attract Muslim powers in the Middle East - and for it not to be viewed as a Western tool. They are trying to become more independent in terms of foreign policy and for that forge stronger ties with Muslim nations of Middle East. I hope though as Turkey forges ties with Sunni partners like Saudi Arabia, that Iran doesn't fall into Turkey's trap and continues good relations with Russia, Armenia. In the end of the day, you have a natural alliance of the sunni countries, israel, and US and on the other side the major Shia country Iran with Russia, Armenia, and maybe even China.

[Joseph]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

I believe you are correct - the US also needs to deal with Iran as a hedge against Russian power, but Iran won't deal with the US. Turkey is the Muslim face of the U.S. and the U.S. is trying that avenue now to get Iran away from Russian/Chinese cooperation.

The funny thing about Turkey calling Israel a "persecutor" is that they are about 60 years too late in pointing that out.

The other bizarre thing is that the U.S. constantly attacks Iran, but look at who it's allies are: Turkey, Israel, & Saudi Arabia = genocidal maniacs.

Agree 100%

[Persopolis]

Re: Turkish PM slams Israel as a 'persecutor'

All these disagreements/quarrel between the two are staged in USA; White House and Pentagon.

The reason is to enhance Turkey's image, as a good guy in the Arab world and diminish Iran's reputation, the same goal serves letting Turkey "cooperating" with Iran.

Good artists, bad performance.

I believe you are correct - the US also needs to deal with Iran as a hedge against Russian power, but Iran won't deal with the US. Turkey is the Muslim face of the U.S. and the U.S. is trying that avenue now to get Iran away from Russian/Chinese cooperation.

The funny thing about Turkey calling Israel a "persecutor" is that they are about 60 years too late in pointing that out.

The other bizarre thing is that the U.S. constantly attacks Iran, but look at who it's allies are: Turkey, Israel, & Saudi Arabia = genocidal maniacs.