Middle East violence damages Israel-Turkey ties
The latest outbreak of violence in the Middle East
that erupted in late December, along with causing tragic
consequences, has damaged relations between Israel and Turkey.
Bilateral ties have worsened to a point that Turkish
representatives were not invited to Sunday`s banquette arranged by
the Israeli side after the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh hosted
a meeting seeking to broker a settlement to the many-decade-long
conflict.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who attended that meeting, while severely criticizing Israel for its military campaign, said he would have rejected the invitation to the following event anyway.
"Participants of the banquette were those congratulating Israel on the actions it has committed in Gaza. But, in fact, Tel-Aviv has tarnished its [international] image by pursuing a policy of intimidation there. And the most terrible thing is that Israel is still trying to justify what it has done. Even if we had received an invitation to that banquette, I would have refused to get together with those who have baby blood on their hands."
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was riled by the fact that the Israeli government had failed to inform Turkey of its planned offensive in the Gaza Strip. Just four days prior to the eruption of hostilities - on December 23 - the country`s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert requested Ankara`s mediation in normalizing Tel-Aviv`s relations with Palestine during a visit to Turkey. The Turkish government welcomed the suggestion, but was startled by the ensuing Israeli attack. The reason for this is Israel`s utmost neglect for Turkey and putting Ankara in an extremely awkward situation, analysts say. The Turkish premier has labeled Tel-Aviv`s actions in his statements as "shamelessness".
In the meantime, tensions in the Middle East have started to subside. After a two-week ceasefire was announced, Israel began to withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip. However, there have been no official comments clarifying which units of the Israeli Defense Forces and how many troops are being pulled out.
Israel`s offensive, which reportedly aimed to counter Palestinian rocket attacks and was suspended on Sunday, killed more than 1,300 Palestinians and wounded over 5,000 others. Gazan rights groups said 700 civilians died, many of them children.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who attended that meeting, while severely criticizing Israel for its military campaign, said he would have rejected the invitation to the following event anyway.
"Participants of the banquette were those congratulating Israel on the actions it has committed in Gaza. But, in fact, Tel-Aviv has tarnished its [international] image by pursuing a policy of intimidation there. And the most terrible thing is that Israel is still trying to justify what it has done. Even if we had received an invitation to that banquette, I would have refused to get together with those who have baby blood on their hands."
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was riled by the fact that the Israeli government had failed to inform Turkey of its planned offensive in the Gaza Strip. Just four days prior to the eruption of hostilities - on December 23 - the country`s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert requested Ankara`s mediation in normalizing Tel-Aviv`s relations with Palestine during a visit to Turkey. The Turkish government welcomed the suggestion, but was startled by the ensuing Israeli attack. The reason for this is Israel`s utmost neglect for Turkey and putting Ankara in an extremely awkward situation, analysts say. The Turkish premier has labeled Tel-Aviv`s actions in his statements as "shamelessness".
In the meantime, tensions in the Middle East have started to subside. After a two-week ceasefire was announced, Israel began to withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip. However, there have been no official comments clarifying which units of the Israeli Defense Forces and how many troops are being pulled out.
Israel`s offensive, which reportedly aimed to counter Palestinian rocket attacks and was suspended on Sunday, killed more than 1,300 Palestinians and wounded over 5,000 others. Gazan rights groups said 700 civilians died, many of them children.
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