Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., December 28, 2008 Tevet 1, 5769 | | Israel Time: 09:46 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

ANALYSIS / Will Turkey's religious row end in political turmoil? By Zvi Bar'el Advertisement Since the AK Party's landslide election victory in 2002, Turkey is back on track economically, foreign investors have returned, the middle class is growing and the Turkish currency is stable. Dismantling the government and disbanding parliament would immediately freeze this economic rehabilitation amid paralyzing uncertainty on the next government's economic measures. Such a decision could also affect Turkish negotiations for acceptance into the European Union. EU representatives have already said that such a decision would gravely oppose the foundations of democracy, and, in any case, the EU is in no rush to grant entry to a Turkey ruled by an Islamist party. The constitutional court is aware of all the serious implications its ruling could carry, but it is also familiar with the anti-religious mood of the Turkish public and especially the army, charged with upholding the constitution. So it faces a dilemma in maneuvering between pressures. The court could vote to shut down the party by an insufficient majority - having its say without practical significance - it could punish the party by taking away state financial assistance, and it could punish individual members without doing away with the entire party. Will it opt for these alternatives or will it close the party altogether? All of Turkey is holding its breath, and with good reason. Bookmark to del.icio.us   The closest thing to war Israel's strike on Gaza is near as it gets to a war with Hamas. Israel seeks support As it confronts terror, Israel expects understanding of the international community.   1.   Turkey 12:43  |  Natallie Durson 29/07/08   2.   Islamic states in chaos. 14:02  |  Petra 29/07/08   3.   EU PROCESS ISLAMIZING TURKEY, NOT REFORMING IT ! 16:48  |  G Marcus 29/07/08   4.   Turkish righ wing is to be blamed !!! 17:30  |  mehmet 29/07/08   5.   Mehmet - as much as I am against AKP 19:28  |  David Israel 29/07/08   6.   Natalie Durson 19:33  |  David Israel 29/07/08   7.   G Marcus. very god observations 19:41  |  David Isarel 29/07/08   8.   Ergenekon 19:59  |  Candida 29/07/08   9.   Candida - Ergenekon watered down 20:28  |  David Israel 29/07/08   10.   religious row? 08:00  |  deniz 28/12/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear in wartime Responses: 17 Israel deploys tanks and ground troops along Gaza border Responses: 29 Hamas: Time for a third Intifada Responses: 5 Gideon Levy: The neighborhood bully strikes again Responses: 1 More Headlines 09:35 Israel deploys tanks and ground troops along Gaza border 09:27 UN Security Council calls for immediate halt to Gaza violence 09:24 Hamas: Time for a third Intifada 08:23 GOC Southern Command: IDF will send Gaza back decades 00:24 Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about 08:42 The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear in wartime 09:07 IN PICTURES / Israel strikes the Gaza Strip 04:38 Gaza offensive clouds chances for Shalit deal 02:58 ANALYSIS / With Gaza raid, Barak is back in the political ring 03:04 ANALYSIS / Let's hope this time we'll know when to stop 08:57 Sderot Mayor: If Gaza operation gives us 2 years of calm, that's enough 02:26 Hundreds of activists in Tel Aviv protest IAF strike in Gaza 06:38 Publisher of disputed Holocaust memoir cancels book 06:31 Long-term Gaza mission could have serious impact on the economy 05:58 Women's success in politics may be a hollow victory Previous Editions Select Day 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec

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