Israel orders return of diplomats' families from Turkey
Diplomats fear for the safety of their families following Israel's operation on the Gaza aid flotilla; four Turkish activists were among the nine killed during the raid.
By Barak Ravid and The Associated Press Tags: Gaza flotilla Gaza Israel TurkeyThe Foreign Ministry has ordered the families of its diplomats in
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Pro-Palestinian Turks protest out the home of Israel's ambassador to Turkey following the deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, on Tuesday June 1, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
Some of the families have already arrived in
The Foreign Ministry has said this was a routine procedure in cases of a looming security threat to Israelis and to government representatives.
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Israeli Navy personnel board one of the ships of the Gaza aid flotilla on Monday May 31, 2010. |
| Photo by: Getty Images |
At least four Turkish activists were among the nine killed by Israeli naval commandos in the raid Sunday on an international flotilla bringing aid to
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused
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Weldone IDF, don't worry about the exagerated international condemnation. Its only the pro-palestinian activies and media. We 100% behind Israel.
this is just a big stupidity created by both the Israeli and Turkish government. As a Turkish person I am not proud of the way these protesters look. Most of them are supported by Hizbullah. Majority of turkish population does not want to be associated with them... Palestanian support used to belong to the left, now these extremist right wing owns them, thanks to the Israeli governments use of force over force. The middle eastern politicians are just dumb as a stick. The people have no problem with each other. I do trade with the Israelis and my children go to school with them. There is a Jewish cemetery right across from my house... It would have been great if all Israeli and Turkish women got on a ship and gave flowers to soldiers... I just don't understand this power struggle. In the end it hurts children, families. yesterday when I gave chocolate to one of my kids, I really thought about why it was a banned good from Gaza. politicians feed themselves from chaos. This is as much true for Erdogan and Netanyahu. what it feeds terrorism, chaos and Hamas. Citizens of both countries have to be calm and not support this stupidity anymore.
The ships are in the international waters. Even if this ships carry guns, nobody can ask about load according to international admiralty law. But Israel organized a military operation with comandos. It's so funny that Israel's declaration: "They have knifes and sticks and they have attacked to our soldiers". You are approaching on a ship and getting down armed soldiers and waiting for passengers to give a rose to you. It's really so funny defense for a country as Israel.
Nobody should worry about the safety of the Israeli citizens in Turkey. the decision is taken to give an impression to the world that there would be violent actions against the civilians in Turkey which they very well know that is not true. The reactions in turkey are not directed to the people of Israel but the government. It is a pity and not really easy to fathom that a nation that has suffered through millenums can conduct such athrocities to other people. I am sensable enough not to direct my anger to the people of Israel but the latest action has unfortunaetly created a growing hateret towards the Israeli regim and I am afraid it will be difficult to repair.
This government was freely elected by the Israeli people,so the Israeli people must bear the consequences of the actions of their freely elected policy makers.
Turkish people's reaction is only against Israel government, neither diplomats' families nor people of Israel, there's nothing like hostile atmosphere here.
dont worry about that. lets remember that ottoman turks saved lives of numerous jewish people suffering under spanish persecution.turkey was the first muslim country to recognize ısrael as a sovereign country and made a lot of effort to exist in the middle east. jewish people under turkish authority live in peace and prosperity for centuries.
scared israel, alone israel, and STUPID israel.
In addition to the continued falling diplomatic and political image of Israel, the government is also harming the people of Israel. The policies of the Israeli government is spurring everyone in the world to stand against occupation and Israel' legitimacy is at stake. This falling image would harm the people of Israel in every possible way making them unwelcome even to attend sport events. The question is do the people of Israel support such inhuman and occupational policies by their government? and when are they going to say NO to their consecutive governments that continue to enforce occupation against Palestinians. Such internal pressure is necessary and may have an impact to push the government do something "right"...
Return them as soon as possible - and let the Turkish public know they've returned. All we're doing is digging our own grave even deeper. Who is taking these decisions in Jerusalem? Is the oxygen so thin up there?!
We have forgotten the injustices faced over 2000 years to the present brought on by all the nations who are present in the United Nations tortures, conversions and rape. When we speak it sounds like dogma, empty words and thoughts. A home which we have been denied for the last 2000 years now exists. we strive to make them believe but we have to believe as a nation and a people we are home that this is and has always been and always will be.
of those 380 were turks. many were sponsored by radical islamist turkish group financed by saudi arabia.
saudi arabia? wtf!!!! if saudi arabia cared so much they would have at least stood up and said something... dont use that bs terrorrist card on muslims, after this incident we ve seen who the real terrorrists are
they were sponsored by a turkish al qaida offshoot, financed by the saudis. the group is listed by the cia as an islamic terror group. they were chanting death chants against jews. they are no different from the terrorists americans are fighting in afghanistan, yemen, etc....
And your point is what exactly? Over 99% of Turks are muslims. Don't muslims have a right to conduct humanittarian missions?
[remember] khaibar, khaibar, oh jews! the army of muhammad will return. (al jazeera, 29 may, 2010)
Really, the Government of Israel lost their mind. Couldn't they find another way to stop the flotilla? They must be idiots or incapable. In both ways they are dangerous for the people of Israel who definetely deserve better ones to govern them. Country.
My Israili friends you are wellcome in Turkey everywhere and any time, we know that the majoritie of you do not like what Natanyaho did. See you in Turkyie this summer. Do not be afraid ( Turkyie‘de Hos Geldiniz)
It is sad but as they also reported everyone was given enough warnings to know not to try and get to Gaza past Israel. Larry Cooper, it's true what you say enough is enough and the Turkish Prime Minister has had his way in the past indeed! I'd say it's just bad luck having to share your border with 5 muslim countries.
will follow the track that this means that the Turks always did hate Jews.
... and it will only get worse. israel has few friends, and those who remain are also being turned off. take india for instance. it has close relations with israel but the disgust at israels behaviour is growing.. israel has to to realise it is not above the law... its complex of victim hood blinds it.
... in which case it is probably best to get the civvies out of the line of fire...
An earlier article quoted one of these "activists" before the incident, who said everyone had prepared a will. These people wanted to cause an incident. I'm disappointed that Israel "took the bait" but the suggestion that Israel wanted all this negative PR that would so obviously result from a negative outcome is silly. Ask yourself what Israel had to gain from the deaths. Nothing. The "activists" had a lot to gain. Countries and leaders make mistakes, sometimes fatal ones, but let's not lose sight of INTENT. It's really important here. The Israelis intended to board the ships and turn them back or dock in Ashdod. That is what happened with all the boats except for one -- the one where a deliberate ambush was planned.
A lot of Jews have been living in Turkey for many years and noboy injured till now. Please try to understand, we don't hate Jews or Israilian peoples, we hate Israil state and its deadly, killing actions.
ok we believe you and we will trust you with our children. we also believed you when you called yourselves friends of israel. next thing, you couldn't hold yourselves and strated hugging and kissing the hamas terrorists and barking at israel. as long as you don't read, educate and respect yourselves, we are not to trust you with our children. you call yourselves humanists, then turn around and serve the terrorists. from now on, in the eyes of the world, you belong to the side of the terrorists. we do not leave our children in the hands of the terrorists. you may, if you like to. send them to hamas to babysit and raise your children as terrorists.
Indeed the Turkish people has a history of friendship with the Jewish people and Israel, but PM Erdogan is rapidly changing this friendship into open hatred. Both Turkey and Israel will suffer.
Most Israelis form their opinions solely from the tabloid press - and this is the result.
Israel should bring home all its diplomatic corps from Turkey. Unless Israel is ready to negotiate peace, there is likely to be a state of war since firing on Turkey's civilians and seizing a Turkish flagged ship with hostile intent. Turkey has already recalled its Ambassador. The rest of its diplomatic staff are at risk, too. Turkey is also still a Member of NATO.
turkey has left the west and joined the radicals of iran-syria-hezbollah-hamas. turkey is a member of nato only formally. it has the advantage of western arms but without any sense of responsibility toward the west. obama's appeasement has been of no help. today's turkey is an islamist state.
when people have no lives, they will become the advocate of terrorists, mark. watch that! get a life and put your values in the right place.
When the Missiles in Cuba, real, not imagined nukes, threatened the US, Turkey stood by the US. It acted like an adult when our own government went nuts under Bush and Cheney, and acted like paranoid children. They are trying presently to prevent an all out war with Iran that would hurt the US and Israel. That defines them as a NATO ally of the US.
and israel is a jewish state? is this what needs to be said... stop blaming faiths whether it be judaism or islam... the problem here is zionism
It was the Israeli government that attacked Turkey's civilians in international waters. Not the other way around. Israel made the political decision to attack NATO.
Isn't it about time that Israel stops being the punching bag for Iran, (I mean Turkey)! Doesn't the Government of Israel have any pride? For years now, the Islamist Government of Turkey has been hurling non-stop abuse at Israel. Their Prime Minister insulted Shimon Peres to his face last year. I realize that Israel makes a lot of money in selling weapons to Turkey. (That may one day be turned on Israel). I hate to say this but money isn't everything. The Israeli Government is becoming a laughing stock in simply taking all of this abuse from Turkey. In fact, Turkey has said way more offensive things about Israel than Iran ever did. Know when to leave. Enough is enough!!!!!!!!
i think you dont know what you're talking about! our PM didn't insult israelian PM or anybody last year at Davos, it was totally a different matter, would you be happy if your talk time was shorter than the other speakers at an important meeting in front of all press and so the world? Another, you cannot lump Iran and Turkey together, we will ofcourse stand at the right, fair, reasonable and truly weak side. i m not going to talk about israel's horrible, ruthless behavior or difficult facts of palestinian's life here, but the recent incident may never have happened especially to Turks who are trying to be the peacemaker and peacekeeper in this around. lastly i agree with you on Enough is enough this should be the last!!!!!!!!!!
arzu, you must be from another planet. you are unreal, and sound like you are experiencing a difficult psychosis. Erdogan insulted Peres by calling him a "murderer" and also would you just turn around and take a look at your 6 dead soldiers in iskenderun. you have a war inside your land, stop pretending. you are not peacemakers arzu, it's about time that you open your eyes to reality. you are war mongers!
yes Arzu is from this planet. Look through the all newspaper on the world. Can you see another country out of you who thinks like you??? And see what they are talking about. All members of the UN security council have approved condemn decision about the Israel. And US didn't veto firstly. I wonder that the people who think the same things are from another planet or alone Israel is.
It is hurting to see how israel is creating enemies all over the world. Israel is self centered. It does not take in consideration other nations. it is a pity and a great worry to see that current Israel does not represent the jewish community anymore.
alfons benjamin, here is a good old turkish proverb for your ears: it is easy and simple to blow your flute form a far! meaning: it is easy to talk about israel and it's defense when you are safely sitting on your porch who knows where. why don't you come and live here and take the bus to work everyday, send your children to the army at the age of 18, and bury some loved ones who were killed by Israel haters, and then blow your flute!
You are ignorant. Israel didn't create this situation. Hamas did. What about the rockets for years into Israel. There is a good reason for a search of all that goes into Gaza. For a Jew to stand up for terriorists is shameful.
if you have lost a few thousands square meters land in each decade I think you wouldn't use simple rockets like Gazans. You would use aircrafts, nuclear bombs etc. Since you like to use unproportional force and kill people. So that rockets are so bad and they are so so short range rockets which couldn't effect you. Gaza and Palestine disappear on the map from day to day. And you still cry for small rockets. Nobody can understand you.