Lately Israel’s relationship with Turkey has gone down the tubes. The Prime Minister walked out on our President back in January, our participation in a joint military exercise has been cancelled, and now a horrid TV series featuring murderous Israeli soldiers has been aired on Turkish TV.
In the right-on environs I tend to hang out, this has been met with some grim satisfaction. “Well of course the Turks are beginning to hate us too, after all we did in Gaza,” say some. “Of course they are going to portray our soldiers as cold-blooded murderers,” say others, “after all, what other image do they have of an Israeli soldier?”
If we were talking of a Palestinian kid in Gaza, I would most certainly agree with this line of argument. But the TV series was created and screened in Turkey, not in Gaza. And in Turkey they have a far more concrete experience of Israeli soldiers.
In the summer of 1999 two of my friends were called up for their military reserve duty. Their army unit was bound for Turkey. They weren’t invading, and they weren’t on their way to a secret recce of Syria: They were going to Turkey to help. They were members of the Search and Rescue unit of the Israeli army, and were going to donate their time, expertise, and equipment to help the Turkish government rescue the thousands of people trapped in rubble following a terrible earthquake.
I think my friends still have nightmares about that time. They worked around the clock, trying to help save people, but really they just spent their time pulling out rapidly decomposing corpses in front of their distraught relatives. In incredibly tough conditions, lacking water for themselves let alone for the rare survivors they found, they worked alongside locals trying to save lives.
All this time they were dressed in full Israeli Army uniform. These are the Israeli soldiers that the Turkish people of Izmit know first-hand.
When their work had come to its tragic end – over 17,000 were declared dead at the end of the search, with half a million left homeless - one of my friends found himself in a shopping mall. He was still wearing the dusty military gear he’d been wearing since he’d arrived a week earlier. Suddenly he noticed that all the locals were staring at him, pointing at him in his Israeli uniform. He made to leave, worried about their response, when he was stunned by the sound of applause. The entire shopping mall had turned out to applaud and thank this Israeli soldier for the way in which he and his country had worked their guts out for Turkey in its time of need.
He’s my next-door neighbor – I spoke to him today to make sure I wasn’t making this up. It’s not a ‘hasbara’ story: It’s true.
So what happened? What happened to our incredible relationship with Turkey? It’s a reflex on the left – we assume it must be our fault. We assume that we screwed up. But how can that kind of blood-debt, how can that kind of loving sacrifice be so easily deleted in just under a decade? If a nation had come to our aid in such a way, wouldn’t we stand by them through thick and thin from then on?
I don’t mention this by way of justification of the Gaza war. As far as the Palestinians are concerned, there is no connection between the two events. But as far as the Turks are concerned, there ought to be.
David Israel ,25/10/2009
Ismail kanci: I know Guzel Izmir very well - From Kordon to Karsiyaka, from Buca to Bornova - and I believe the most enlightened people in Turkey live in Izmir. However I - unfortunately - differ with your comments.
1. Please read the 3 part article of Hadi Uluengin from last week about this subject. It is very revealing about the wide spread Antisemitism in Turkey.
2. 35 years ago thousands of Greeks disappeared in Cyprus during the Turkish invasion. Only last month mass graves were discovered of Greek soldiers captured and instead of detained executed point blank and put into these mass graves. This is a crime under international norms and much more graver then what Israel is being blamed today. However you and the entire Turkish public is silent about this. There was no uproar in Tiurkey when hundreds of thousands of civilians, many of them children were being killed by the Muslim Janjawid in Darfur. In fact your government - the one that you are proud to vote - welcomed Omar Al Bashir who is blamed of the genocide in Darfur on red carpet. There was never demonstrations, flag burning against these atrocities that are hundreds of times bigger than what happened in Gaza. Not one demonstration against them but there are almost weekly demonstrations against Israel going on in Turkey for a long long time even before the operation in Gaza. Based on these realities one cannot be convinced that there is no anti-Semitism in Turkey.
3. You wrote that Turkey has a choice to buy arms from many other countries than Israel. However when Turkey needed to modernize its fighter jets and tanks USA and Germany would only do it with the condition that they would not be used against Kurdish rebels or in any way that they do not like. This is why these arms were modernized in Israel. Remember the USA arms embargo of 1974? (I am almost 60 years old and lived all through it and in the USA worked with the Israeli Lobby to lift it). The Cyprus issue still not resolved do not be very confident that you have many options.
And Finally I will also strongly differ with you about your comments about Ataturk. You are from Izmir near Menemen. You must have been educated about the Kubilay incident in 1927. Have no doubt that Ataturk would have done the same to Erdogan, his AKP and the likes of Fethullah Gulen if he was alive. As Erdogan himself once said democracy to him is a bus. When he gets to his destination he will get of the bus.
Ismail Kanci, Izmir ,25/10/2009
Turkey - Israel relations have nothing to do with Religion or Antisemitism. We still respect Israel as a jewish democratic state. Who are we to judge other states with similar problems. No really, i have many Israeli born friends which i talk about this Issue. It's only your Politicians which worry us and what they did in Gaza. -When Erdogan asked Olmert if he would attack Gaza just few days before what did he say? -Which ally would lie to each other?
Turkey always tried to keep an hostile policy towards all Regions and not only the West. We are one of the rare countries which can choose (buy) between USA, Russian, Korean, Germany, Israeli, .... High Tech-weapons. It's the peoples mood against the horrible thing which happened is Gaza. And guess what, 2 of 3 Citizens in Turkey believe that these thigs happened in Gaza during the War. Regarding the islamisation of Turkey, this one of the biggest crap i ever heared. I dont believe in God, Allah or whatever his name is. But i am the biggest Fan of Tayyip Erdogan and his policies. I read "Nutuk", this Book is like a Bible for Sakularism written from Atatürk himself. Atatürk would act the same way in these Times, he would just say; "It's the peoples choice"
@Jeff Falick "We didn't screw it up. Turkey's direction has been clear for some time now. They want to be the new "khalifate" and that means distancing themselves from us" Jeff if you really believe this kind of fairy tale stories. You should start packing your belongings. A "khalifate" rules entire Middle East including Israel^^
David Israel ,24/10/2009
No matter who: Israelis not only freely and strongly criticize their governments they also have organizations such as Peace now, Btselem etc who act strongly.
You say that you follow Israeli press. If you read Haaretz you should have read Gideon Levy, Amira Haas etc using very harsh language against Israel's policies and yet unlike the 4 billion dollar penalty to the Dogan Media Group in Turkey, Haaretz continues to operate freely.
Again I will repeat; It is OK for a friendly nation to criticise the other in a respectful and diplomatic way but what the Turkish government is doing is not respectful nor diplomatic. As many prominenet Turkish columnists such as Cuneyt Ulsever, Kadri Gursel, Sami Kohen, Hadi Uluengin are all saying is that it is a new policy f the Erdogan government in turning Turkey towards the Islamic world and undo Ataturks western, modern reforms.
no matter who ,23/10/2009
I have been following Israel Press for days and also trying to read comments. During this time have seen many Turkish citizens' comments against PM R.T.E and I share some of teir feelings. The good thing is we can critize our Goverment' policy but it almost impossible to see any Jew people writting smtng against Isr. Gov. about the operations in Gaza or hawing done something wrong. My wonder is that how you succed doing ewerything goood. And I suggest you should think about why you alone in the etire World. Babur ,23/10/2009
Turkey and Israel sure have good relationships. Even before the establishment of the today's Israel state. After 1933 when Hitler elected so many Jewish people escape to Turkiye from Germany. And they held really good positions here. Clemens Holzmeister, Bruno Taut etc... During the history Turkish people mostly try to have good relationships with Jewish people. Just check out these names below: Mordecai Comtino Joseph Taitazak Moses Hamon Hekim Yakup Pasha Solomon ben Elijah Sharbiṭ Joseph Nasi Rifat Behar Menahem Tamar Shabbethai ben Malkiel Cohen Abraham de Castro Emmanuel Karasu List goes on...
During the ww2 Turkish ambassadors save near 20.000 of Jewish people from the holocaust. Check also these names: Behic Erkin Kemal Yolga Selahattin Ulkumen Necdet Kent. Specially Behic Erkin. Toda we know the Schindler from movies but most of the people do not know about this wonderful man.
Ataturk was symphatetic towards Jewish people.
Turkiye is one of the first countries to recognize Israel.
But we also love the Palestinian people. We can not deny this fact. We love theme just like we love Jewish people. So when people here collapsed Palestinian houses, wounden and killed Palestinian kids, babies they all got very angry.
But it's sure that it's not good to take advantage of people's anger with the anti-semite agenda. This movie is such a bias propaganda against Jewish people portraying all of theme as war mongers. And it's sad that this has made on our state television. These kind of organizations should should stay neutral against other people. Maybe a private tv or film company can make a film like this. Free speech should not be stopped. But with the taxes of hard working people and bullying other countries is such a mess...
But once again you can not stop people getting angry at the brutal actions made by the IDF against Palestinians. This is the other issue. We support your existence on middle east and we are also angry at the rocket attacks of Hamas but also we can not let our hearts not to hurt while we see more than 1.000 normal ordinary people died because of the attacks of IDF.
Yuksel ,23/10/2009
Here is a deal: you get rid of your right-wing government and we get rid of our religiously motivated government, then we are friends again, OK?
David Israel ,23/10/2009
1. Ceyhun: Yo say that you are also angry at Hamas when they hit Israeli civilians. However I (a person who follows Turkish press daily including Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, Zaman, Haberturk, a native Turkish speaker) have not seen any articles where your government at any level raised their voice against Hamas. I did not hear Erdogan telling Khaleed Meshaal during his visit on red carpet in Turkey – VAN MINUTE, Khaleed my friend you are murderers stop killing babies like Dorit Benisian and Yuval Abebeh - Now for a minute think about this: If Erdogan had used his influence to stop Hamas attacking Israel with Kassams then Israel would not have to do Cast Lead operation In Gazza and those Arab children would not be dead. Therefore we could easily come to conclusion that Erdogan and his current Turkish government are also responsible for the lives of the children in Gazza. Don’t you think so? I surely do.
Turkey is still a secular country on paper but very rapidly changing. While in Saudi Arabia they are now opening universities where women can have their heads open in Turkey it is the opposite. Ataturk’s reforms are being reversed. I saw it with my own eyes this summer when I was there.
2. Fatih: The reason Sultan Beyazit welcomed the Sephardic Jews (My ancestors) was for a practical reason not necessarily humanitarian as they teach you at schools. The Ottoman Empire was expanding over Greek lands like the Aegean coast, Istanbul and Thrace populated overwhelmingly by hostile Greeks. By bringing in the Spanish Jews in these places he created a grateful and loyal Jewish population to balance. This is not to say that we don’t appreciate it. Just like we expect you to appreciate the relentless and sometimes very difficult efforts of the Jewish American lobby and Israel in ending the crippling arms embargo and preventing the Armenian Genocide bills. I am not saying that because of this Turkey should not do constructive criticism of her ally Israel but should do it in the most friendly and diplomatic way, not with the kind of ALI CENGIZ OYUNU in Davos. There is no such behavior in diplomacy even when it is done with enemies.
May peace prevail in the world and Ataturk's reforms in Turkey.
yt ,23/10/2009
1.The Israeli help doesnt change the fact that Israel has occupied Palestinians lands for decades. they live in bad conditions so they attack israel with homemade weapons. they build tunnels to egypt for supplies. they live waiting their death in prison without verdict. on the other side, israel secures her lands which she has invaded.(if there wasnt any invasion there wouldnt be palestinian rebellion). if israel leaves palestinian lands and makes peace with them, two state can co-exist peacefully. 2.turkey aims for peace in the ME. For that target, the conflicts between each nation should end. Turkey took responsibility for the process and started being active by giving kurdish people their rights, supporting peace in cyprus, negotiating with armenia(border issues, genocide claims.now there is an agreement on between armenia and turkey aiming for peace.)preventing a civil war in ıraq because of possibility of separaiton, improving relationships between its neighbours,syria,iran, to minimize hot issues. these are some of the steps, ad also turkey supported syria and israel to negotiate, called hamas and el fetih to start peace process between israel and palestine. during last year few years(lebonan war and cast lead operation in gaza) israel throw away all efforts for peace made by turkey, humiliating turkey and stopping any chance of peace.(this is why turkish government criticizes israel nowadays, cause in the past turkey has no part in israel`s issues.) 3. there is no islamization in turkey, there is globalization. turkey has every right to comminicate with its neighbours, it is not something that needs a permission... turkey experienced 4 coup dètat, last one in 1997 which was called postmodern coup detat because there wasnt tanks in street, military force government to quit. the democracy is improving in turkey, every sensible person can see it, turkey is putting aside kemalist ideologies which have nothing to do with democracy,secularism( not kemalist version of secularism, the real deal),justice and ataturk. 4. Corrections: Turkey has no OIL ECONOMY so no harm will come turkey when there is not oil.(I recommend Simon_Of_Sydney to read and search more before writing, you dont want to make a fool of yourself.). turkey didnt call israel`s help at earthquake, you came to help your own commanders in Gölcük. no one thinks that israeli soldiers helped turkey. in 1974 embargo, israel didnt prevent anything, actually 1967 war of israel was one of the reason of embargo, cause turkey didnt helped israel at war, and in 1974 turkey helped turkish cypriots in cyprus by sending its troops and preventing total annihiliation of turkish cypriot in the hands of greece army and greek cypriots.
Robbie Gringras ,23/10/2009
I would just like to thank all those who have contributed to this conversation. I've learned a great deal. In particular I thank our Turkish friends whose clear message (if I got it right) was far more nuanced than either I - or that TV program - had suggested. Also want to point out how on the whole this talkback series has been relatively civil and respectful - thanks for that, too.
k officer ,23/10/2009
Why should the world, not Turkey like, just like not even speaking of friends with Israel or Jews.... this is just history repeating itself, anti semitism is not gone...
Fatih ,23/10/2009
Throughout the history Turks and Jews have managed to live in peace.
In the 15th century the Jews in Spain faced strong pressures to convert to Christianity and many yielded to this pressure and became Christians. In 1492 the king of Spain, Ferdinand, issued an edict to expel from Spain all remaining Jews who did not convert to Christianity. When the news of expulsion reached the Ottoman Empire, the Sultan (Emperor) Beyazit II issued a decree to welcome the Jews. A significant portion of those expelled thus came to Ottoman Empire and settled mostly in European parts of the Empire. The Turkish Jews are also identified as Sephardic Jews. (quoted from http://www.science.co.il/hi/Turkish/)
I don't think that naming all muslims or all Turks anti-semitic is fair. During those days Ottoman Empire was being ruled under -namely- islamic laws. Todays tension between muslims and jews isnot the usual experience of the history between muslims and jews.
Hence, seeking for something abnormal in the 20th century for understanding this tension is a reasonable strategy.
And I think currently the abnormal thing is what going on in Gazza. One of the most densely populated cities of the world has been bombed, and still all borders of this city are closed. Even the necessities for survival can't get into the city.
I strongly believe that whenever this inhumane situation in Gaza ends or peace takes place between the two nations, good old days are again going to flourish.
Ceyhun ,22/10/2009
@David I had friends from israel who escape from their online games when they start to hear alarms whom scare for their brothers when they play at the outside. I really understand what you feel but you still not understand us...
We are sad for your kids too, if a tv producer didnt make a movie about that it doesnt mean that we dont sad about them. (my english become worst very sleep atm sry, anyway) Turks angry hamas when they attack civilians. No one defends that, We never defend it! Even Islam never approve something like that, dont belive who said different. But again i must say twhen we saw what happens at gazze we become sad for those kids. Turks are very emotional ppl. and our goverment play for that. after gaza war; newspapers write and also some other muslim ppl said "that planes which hit these babies trained at your country" We couldnt say anything to them... it made us really sad so goverment didnt invite israel. Turkey playing for leadership again and the truth is your goverment know that too also i think they are supporting us :D and they both understand each other but said different on the media.
And btw please dont say that AKP is an islamic party. If you are saying something like that you dont know Islam or AKP. :D Turkey is a secular, democratic, juristic country they make some mistakes but they are more like conservative - democrat.
And its really interesting how jews care about a tv show which not even popular. Look at hollywood come onnn who cares what tv shows us? You should know Turks better, its also make me sad too... You ppl really think we are racist or something else? dont know what you think but i hope everyone can find their peace.
Savid Israel ,22/10/2009
El Turko:
Friends should always give their friendly opinion to each other in a friendly way. In this case friendly way is the internationally accepted diplomatic language.
Do you believe that PM Erdogan's language fits this friendly behaviour?
After all these years when the entire EU and even some Arab states (Lebanon for one) are accusing Turkey of committing genocide to Armenians and giving Turkey their friendly advice of accepting these accusations and pay restitution to Armenians it was Israel, the Jewish community of Turkey under the leadership of Jak Kamhi and Jewsish Americans of Turkish descent like myself, my relative journalist Albert Amamto etc. worked very hard to prevent the Armenian Genocide bill from passing the USA Senate as well as the lifing of the USA arms embargoe of 1974 wouldn't this behaviour of PM Erdogan be considered NANKORLUK in your language?
After all the anti-Israel (In the words of Hadi Uluengin from Hurrioyet flat out anti-Semitism),honestly speaking I feel betrayed and regret that I played an active role in supporting Turkish interests in the USA.
This is not to say that I am abandoning my good old modern ATATURKCU Turkish friends. I feel sorry that their modern democracy has been highjacked by the Islamist extreemists and I will continue to support their cause.
To conclude; Constructive and diplomatically accepted criticism and advice: YES VAN MINUT, murdererd etc. NO. In thar case I give you my friendly advice; Fiorst learn to be a modern democratic country observing international norms and then open your mouth. Better for you elect real leaders not uneducated clowns.
El-Turco ,22/10/2009
Robbie, are you kidding? Israel was only one of the nearly hundred nations that helped Turkey during that terrible time. Thank you for that, but you would be so naive to expect this relatively small gesture to hijack Turkish foreign policy and prevent it to protest Israel's war crimes in Gaza or elsewhere. It wouldnt be moral either. As a friend, we are telling Israeli people that the way you treat Palestinians will not improve your security and the overall peace in the middle east. It is a dangerous road you are traveling, and as friends its our duty to tell you the grim truth. You better come to your senses and look at the mirror before it is too late...
David Isarel ,22/10/2009
Arda and Ceyhun kardesler:
The big problems in Turkey are as follows
1. While you have seen the Cast Lead operation on Turkish TV they never showed you or even mentioned that before this operation Hamas was launching rockets daily and kiling children in Israel. I will give you two names, DORIT BENISIAN and YUVAL ABEBEH. Two little babies killed by Hamas rockets at Sderot. There are many others.
2. You have AKP with an Islamist agenda and your PM himself is in the process of raising tensions and - in the words of Hadi Uluengin - raising ati-Semitism in Turkey. They are leading you into the middle ages, opposite to Ataturk modern Turkey.
3. Isarel has never been Turkey's enemy. Unlike the current anti Israeli - or again in Hadi Uluengin's words anti-Semitism - eg; the Davos incident, the cancellation of NATO excercise, AYRILIK etc. Israeli leadership is still. Trying to be reconciliatory. It is not only about the Isareli help during the 1999 eartquaqe but Israeli friendship is still there. It was early this year when Isareli soldiers were sent to Turkey along with three Heron aircraft so that TSK could fight PKK.
4. As Mustafa Kemal said "Peace at home peace in the world." But don't forget that he also commandeered Turkish armies during the most difficult and bloody wars for the independance. As many wise Turks already know unfortunately, preserving peace with dignity sometimes requires to defend your country from attacks. If instead of Israeli children Dorit Benisian and Yuval Abebeh killed by Hamas it was Ayse and Serhat from Turkey killed by PKK terrorists infiltrated from Syria what would Turkey do?
Finally a famous Turkish saying: CUVALDIZI KOMSUYA BATIRMADAN ONCE IGNEYI KENDINE BATIR (Before you prick a big needle to your neigbor prick yourself with a tiny one)
Arda Turkey ,22/10/2009
I love israel, we dont have a problem with jews, but after Gaza disaster i changed my mind. thats unbelievable. i hope israel and turkey would be live at peace again.
"Peace at home peace in the world. Mustafa Kemal ATATURK "
Ceyhun ,22/10/2009
Turkey is not enemy of the Israel when you look history we never hit you, always tried to help innicent ppl. But as a friend, turkey must tell the truth about israel's steps at the war.We understand that you trying to defend yourself but when turkish ppl see dead babies, chieldren they get mad. You should understand that turks were rule this lands for a long time and we still like to see them as a part of us. PPL can make mistakes, we can fight with them like PKK problem at syria but still we know our history. Turks known with their justice. And when we see what happens at gaza we become sad and angry because if we had same power as the ottomen have we could came there and stop that war. but now we cant do anything about it, we cant help both palastinias and israel. so becomer angry... guys... you hit UN building when UN secratery eating his dinner with you :D how can expect that no one say nothing about it? you should change your ways with handling problems.
David Israel ,22/10/2009
Mahmut: I recommend that you read Hadi Uluengin's 3 part article in Hurriyet that started October 20 and last one will be on october 22. He really made a very good analysis about what is going on in Turkey vis a vis israel and the Jews.
Hadi Uluengin as you may know is a Muslim Turk who is often critical of Isarels policies but not anti-Semite. He is pointing out that the current anti Israel rhetoric out of Turkish authorities are not really out of what happened now, it goes way back to the charater of Turkey and the animosity against those who are different.
So in his analysis it was no schock; it was only a demonstration of the real anti-Semitism in the hearts of many Turks.
However this is not to say that all Turks are Anti-Semites. The well educated and well travelled intellectual Turk is not. I know it because I grew up with them until I was 30.
Mahmut ,21/10/2009
Guys, you really don't understand how Gaza operation changed the image of Israel. It was a real shock in Turkey. You prefer not to see the reality of Israel's image. There's nothing like "the nature of Turks" (what a reductionism!) or the reason of the problem is not that Turkey's Islamization. Indeed Turkey is becoming more democratic. Because the military power loses its base and people's will gains power. Yes sure, Turks appreciate who came to help during the earthquake. A lot of people arrived to help from various countries. Turkey's soldiers do the same, but they don't avoid treating Kurdish rebels violently. That's not a conflict.
Simon_Of_Sydney ,21/10/2009
ALL Islamic countries are composed of populations where the vast majority would be classified, according to Western standards, as uneducated. The Turks are no exception. They are beginning to despise all things Western, but it was the adoption of the Western mindset (to an extent) that separated them from their impoverished neighbors. What are the Turks going to do when the Oil economy comes to an end? Now this is the type of question that an educated society will be aware of - but like I said, the majority of Turks are uneducated and, therefore, cannot perceive reality.
David Israel ,20/10/2009
Israel did not screw up. It is teh nature of Turks. When they love you they love you to the far extreem and raise you to the top and when they hate you they hate you to the extreem and bury you 6 feet under. There is no grey in the minds of most Turks just black and white.
I am saying this out of my personal experience. I was born, raised, educated and served in military in Turkey until I was 30 years old. I am about to be 60 soon.
Petteri ,20/10/2009
Does that that earthquake "debt" really demand that Turkey is not for decades allowed to criticize anything Israel does? In the 1999 earthquake were rescue teams from about 20 different countries, not only from Israel. Alastair Goldman ,20/10/2009
Been thinking about this for an hour or so... I don't understand what either you or Jeff are talking about.
The two events, an earthquake and military action in Gaza are totally unrelated. The families who thanked our friend for trying to dig out survivors are totally different people from the propagandists who made that dreadful TV programme. What's the connection? Why would a propagandists who obviously hates Israel not take advantage of a TV slot just because Israeli soldiers were nice when there was an earthquake? Why would anyone assume that the soldiers digging people out of rubble reflect the actions of all soldiers sent into battle. There are no connections between these things. And if there is another earthquake then just because the Govt of Turkey allows such propaganda to play, then should people be left to die under the rubble. They should not.
I am really surprised you have played into the school playground game of "you don't like me so I don't you like back raaaasp"
The humanity of sending in the troops dig Turks or anyone else from under the rubble must never stop, or else all moral high ground, if there is any left, will be lost.
"If a nation had come to our aid in such a way, wouldn’t we stand by them through thick and thin from then on?" Firstly, what is the relevance of that question? Must all people of all nations behave as "we" (you) would? This is a form of cultural imperialism. Secondly, No! The answer is no, and well you know it. If tomorrow Britain saves Israeli lives by sending in British fire crews to dig out civilians from under a bombed out block of flats and tomorrow the British condemn Israel for dropping a bomb in a civilian district of Gaza there will be no hugs and kisses. Israel will drop like a stone anyone who contradicts or criticises regardless of any support shown previously.
I don't say these things by way of justification for the content of the TV programme, I just cannot find a reason to be surprised by it and I can't find in it any contradiction to the reaction of the people who praised the Israeli soldiers for helping them. You said "As far as the Palestinians are concerned, there is no connection between the two events." Well they would be right. Send in the rescue squads.
Jeff Falick ,19/10/2009
We didn't screw it up. Turkey's direction has been clear for some time now. They want to be the new "khalifate" and that means distancing themselves from us.
It's not like this was our first war with the Palestinians. It's the Turks who have changed. They elected an Islamic government, their army has surrendered its responsibility to maintaining a secular state and they are seeking to be an Islamic superpower by currying favor with Damascus and Teheran.
As Avri Gilad said the other day, next time they have an earthquake, they can call Iran. The Iranians will surely send over their equipment and cranes as long as they're not busy using them to hang gays.
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