Report: U.S. threatens to shun military drill with Turkey if it bans Israel
Turkish daily Hürriyet reports that the U.S. relayed its position to Ankara after invitations for a joint drill were sent out to several countries, but not to Israel.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Israel Turkey US Barack ObamaThe United States has said it will shun a joint military drill with Turkey in October if Israel is barred from participating, Turkish daily Hürriyet reported on Wednesday.
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U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in June 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
Sources told the newspaper that the U.S. relayed its position to Ankara after invitations for a joint military drill to be held in central Turkey were sent out to several countries, but not to Israel.
The U.S. has pressured Turkey in recent months to ease tensions with Israel, which have been increasingly strained since Israel's three-week-long offensive in the Gaza Strip that began in December 2008 in a effort to stop rocket fire from the territory into bordering Israeli cities.
U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this month reportedly warned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that his country's strained ties with Israel and increasing support of Iran could hinder an arms deal between Ankara and Washington. The White House later denied giving Ankara an ultimatum.
However, Washington has also expressed displeasure with Turkey's "no" vote at the United Nations on tough new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
A U.S. Treasury delegation visited Turkey last week with the intention of demanding an end to trade with Iran, but was unsuccessful.
Following Israel's offensive in Gaza, Turkey called off a joint military drill with Israel, and relations were strained further after Israel rebuked the then Turkish envoy over a television show depicting Israeli soldiers as cold-blooded killers.
The most critical blow to Israeli-Turkish relations, however, came this year on May 31, when Israeli commandos raided a Turkish aid convoy trying to break the naval blockade on Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists.
Turkey had threatened to cut off diplomatic ties with Israel, and continues to demand an official apology over the raid.
Turkey is taking over the UN Security Council presidency, starting September 1, for a month-long term.
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they do not belong there.... little erdogan is on a losing spree..
Turkey has been an inportant friend and ally to America since before Israel was a nation and before Obama was born. Obama does not have the right to wreck havoc with American interests in the mideast in order to keep Israel fat and happy.
This is no time for Obama to accept insults to Israel. AIPAC's influence is at a peak right now. After the elections there will be about a year where rational thinking will be possible, although not as the arms deal is concerned. An arms deal will have a chance only if Turkey shows that it has an alternative potential supplier.
Netanyahu's Faithful 'Cappy' Obama do what his Massa order no matter how much it hurt America.
welcome the new member of NATO, Israel defender of the west .... LOL
Turkey needs the F-35 to counter Greece's control of the Aegean Sea, Turkey's vital taxing link. In the US, the Greek and Armenian lobbies are one issue-Anti- Turk. Up to now, AIPAC has filled the role of de-facto Pro-Turkey lobby. No longer. Erdogan has been using anti Israel histeria for domestic purposes, in a referendum to take over the judiciary and round hundreds of seculars. Now, Turkey's imaginary dominance will collapse as Greece gets the best of NATO and Turkey gets the leftovers. Don't expect Russia to aid Turkey since it regards Turkey as a rival in the Near Abroad. I guess Turkey will enjoy it's alliance with Iran and all the power and prestige that will bring.
You already are in a world of a mess right now since you chickened-out of your own program of justice. Now that you see how Republicans can get over your head, you think you can do the same to Turkey!? Not everyone is like you Mr. President. Some stick to their principles, and Turkey chose its path... maybe you want your Air Base closed?
So the US is capable of flexing its muscles i order to pressure states to alter their policies, but they won't apply this in order to force and end to Israel's military, political, and economic campaign to deny the Palestinians their rights - coupled with the expansion of the illegal settlements.
to withdraw from NATO and close Incirlik (spelling) airbase and the Unitesd States will miraculously pitch up in Turkey in October and take part in military exercises The fact is already NATO members will be ringing the White House explaining that the loss of Turkey from the alliance is unacceptable, particularly if it accelerates Turkey's movement East. AJust shows how pathetic israel's position is though that they rely on the United States to make empty threats in the hope it will force turkey to be friends again.
If the article is correct, it is hard to imagine how the US could have got it so wrong! After the Danny Ayalon incident with the Turkish ambassador to Israel led to a personal apology from him, and a public one from the state of Israel, it was clear to all tat diplomatic protocol must be followed. Delivering an ultimatum to turkey about Israeli participation in military exercises is not helpful to Israel. Telling Turkey how to deal with Iran is also not helpful to Israel. Turkey is a vital strategic and military ally for Israel, inept US diplomacy will not help.
.... somehow that's a bit too much, doesn't it? Anyone playing games here?
Turkey is not beholden to the wishes of the USA and has set a clear condition for Israel to follow before any Israeli military flights will be allowed in Turkey, so until Israel apologizes and pays compensation to the families of those killed, Israeli planes are not allowed out of respect for the victims.
Then Turkey doesn't get US weapons. Try using that Russian junk instead.
a russian turkey arms agreement would be very bad for zioland and the west
Turkey is part of NATO and they already make a lot of weapons on their and also they have been a parten JST taks force long before israel was even brought into the conversation
There is a value in our cooperation with Turkey in training. Whether or not Israel is involved, isn't that still there? Should we sacrifice our interests for Israel?
If you think you are sacrificing America's interests by choosing Turkey over Israel, you obviously don't know the meaning of, or have never had, a friend
yes. Orders are given from AIPAC+zionist congressmen!
to hundreds or congressmen selected by blessed monies of AIPAC and hundreds of other pro israeli organization...
It's nice to see that President Obama has regained use of his backbone. Let's hope it is not just in temporary remission.
for US. nobody cares about US anymore. israel should instead extend his hand to China, the future super power.
No Israeli minister can trust Erdogan,he is pro Iran,Hamas and hezbollah.
Turkey thinks it can play this game of showing two different faces to two different regions of the world, but I don't think Turkey is giving credit enough to the street smarts that REAL western countries actually have..? Turkey will not invite Israel to this drill, which is also why the U.S. will not attend, which is why many other western nations will follow suit. I think Turkey needs to wise up and stop thinking it's this supreme nation who can be everything to everybody.. Pick a side and stick to that side, or look like an untrustworthy ally to either side...
Why does America constantly have to cluck and fuss over Israel like a mother hen over a chick? No wonder the rest of the world is sick of hearing about the "wrongs done to Israel" from America...
More andmore people are getting sick and tired of thearing about the "wrongs done to the Palestinians".
Why do you spend your life on an Israeli-newspaper's website, albeit a self-hating one that caters to the world's anti-semites (and one that censors 99% of my submissions), criticizing and condemning Israel as engaged in some contest for being the world's biggest anti-semite? No wonder you Jew-haters always end up on the losing end of battles/wars, while we Jews always survive and thrive.
. Advantages of excercising are easily offset by losses due to a stab in the back .