Turkey: Israel is strategic ally with shared interests

@rafiq. It is true that we're violating Kurdish peoples democratic rights for a while. But I don't understand about your "occupation" theisis. There's no ocupatin to "kursih" land on our behalf. This is all Turkish Repoblic territory. I guess you're trying to equalize Israil and Turkey but Thanks to Israeli policies it is not second to none in this sense. Sorry

In 1967, Israel drove Jordan out and occupied the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza by Israeli armed forces, and you know it. Enough of your zionist propaganda. UN resolution 242 declares the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by war, and demands Israel withdraw from the occupied territory. Israel refused, and is in violation of international law. Jews did not build Jerusalem. You lie. The land was not historically only Jewish. When Israelites entered into Canaan, also known as Palestine, the land was occupied by (among others) the semite tribes, Amorites, Hittites and Jebusites. The Jebusites had already built Jerusalem and inhabited the city for over 100 additional years. Many noted scholars and historians have determined that Jebusites are the forebears of Palestinians. The NYU School of Medicine and the Academy of Science discovered that ME Jewish men have a common genetic signature with Lebanese men, Syrian men and Palestinians, and with no other non-Jews in the world.

Sir, Your response to my post, however (con)textually unrelated, reveals your great anguish regarding Zionists - read Jews - who took the world, stole Father Christmas, instituted pogroms against Christians and killed all unarmed newborns in Gaza. We are sorry... Never wanted to make you unhappy.

Varlık tax was an unfair law of old CHP government.That tax was essential according to government.Because Turkish economy was so weak and foreign businessmen started to become monopoly in national economy.Government tried to equalize the economic situation between foreigners and turks. Surely tax was UNFAIR. But Government found this law essential to creat the national economy. 6-7 September events were not aganist JEWS. Those were aganist Greeks because of the news about damage of Ataturk's home in Thessalonika in Greece. That time tension was very high between Turks and Greeks because of the Cyprus and Conservative Nationalists provoked the public.Only 1 synagog damaged.In average 120 people died totally.Definetely events were unfair and horrible.But you cant blame the all Turks.I feel very sad when I read bad jewish comments about Turks.We don't have problem with Israelis in here.Pls Don't forget we have been living together for ages in peace and you became richer under ottoman

Turkey, For stability. Perhaps should revert to Kemal Ataturk's form of Government. For more than two decades,Ataturk created a modern state. Today we see Turkey fast slipping into the Islamist lap. If the Military,that is still loyal to Ataturk's teachings,were to take over the Turkish State. No one should be overly surprised,

The problem is that existing nations in the area (Iran, Turkey, Iraq) are all happy to have Kurdish citizens. By contrast, no existing state wants to have palestinians as citizens: neither Jordan, nor Egypt, nor Lebanon, nor Syria. The Kuwati's learned their lessons when they gave refuge to palestinians only to have them stab their hosts in the back. Palestinians are even personae non grata in Iraq. As far as the so-called palestinian-americans who were allowed american citizenship, Major Hasan is a good example of the result.

...it's your definition of Zionism I'm interested in. BTW I'm from the land of Kilts, dirks and Haggis. Mt post wasn't Anti Irish, it was Anti YOU.

Julius, you should read some non-Turkish sources. Look at EU sources or UN sources. Re 1. The Ottomans invaded, and occupied, Cyprus in 1571; and the Republic of Turky invaded and occupied northern Cyprus in 1974. The two events are not incompatible. Re 2. "The Turkish millitary only went to cyprus becouse of the mass killings done by the greek populations agaisnt the Turkish." How many Turkish Cypriots were killed by the Greeks? Who gave the Turks the right to partition the island? Was it racial kinship? Re 3. "People from bother sides were displaced not only Greeks this was done to pervent any more conflict between the Greek and the Turkish population." Almost 200,000 Greeks were displaced. How many Turks were displaced? About 500?

It's not the wrong that was done to you... it's your response to the wrong that determines your character...whether Godly or NOT ! It is written, we are called to love one another... even our enemies...love does NO harm to another said JESUS CHRIST-YESHUA HaMESSIAH. When we fly with the eagles... our vision is much clearer...we can see why people do what they do ! Yeshua IS the HIGHEST of Highest... when we see through HIS eyes... we can love like HE loves !

The Land of Israel IS God's Land, HE gave as an inheritance to HIS chosen people-Israel Read Joshua & Ezekiel of Holy Bible. Israel received the land by the hand of God- HIS Holy Land & HIS Holy City-Jerusalem. Jerusalem & Israeli land IS NOT to be divided ! If Turkey is Israel's friend, Turkey should accept Danny's apology & forget... move on ! NOT continue to drag Danny through the mud... to ruin a person's name & career is NOT Godly behaviour. It is written, if we do NOT forgive our enemies- those who have transgressed us...neither will our Heavenly Father forgive us, saith Yeshua HaMessiah. YESHUA-JESUS IS ALWAYS RIGHT !

Ayipsiz dost arayan dostsuz kahr. A man who seeks a perfect friend,will turn out having none. Bekara kan bosamak kolay gehr. It is easy for a single to divorce a woman. Meaning:things seem easier to the one who isn't involved. Sorry if i misspelled the turkish words.

One should also read the right of Israel to exist allow me to mention the article to you , you are onesided as typicall Israel bashers are. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p09s02-coop.html shame that you only know one side of the coin. http://www.theactivist.co.uk/israel.HTM

There was never a free Palestine in history, Palestine is only an geografic term.Palestine belongst to the Jews and it was called Israel until the Romans decided to switch the name,and even the Romans called the WB Judea.Yet you expect,or better demand from the Jews to give it to the Arabs.Israelis will leave the land when the Americans will give Texas California and New Mexico back to Mexico,and the rest to the native Americans,and the Auzis will return the land to the Aboriginals,and the Chinese will leave Tibet.Dream on my friends.

KING GEORGE WAS ENGLANDS SHAME IN WW2 AS HE SIDED WITHT HE NAZIS, SHOULD WE THEN HOLD ENGLAND RESPONSIBLE?

Your understanding of Cyprus is clearly false. 1. Turkish millitary didn't invade Cyprus was invaded by Ottomans in 1571 2. The Turkish millitary only went to cyprus becouse of the mass killings done by the greek populations agaisnt the Turkish. If you dont belive this check historical sources. 3. People from bother sides were displaced not only Greeks this was done to pervent any more conflict between the Greek and the Turkish population.

It is irrelevant. The most important issue for both is Iran and its influence in the region when it has nukes. Most of the Arab States are against Iran and do not want them to overly influence "their oil" with nuclear weapons. Israel, probably, has a "working relationship" with several Arab Countries who would side with Israel on many issues.

You should be the last one to speak of respect. How much respect does your country have in the Muslim world?just about the same as Israel has. Is it because Israel and the US are the evil one?or is it because the Muslims are living in a different world?.It is Europe that are pushing Turkey to Islam,and no wonder.they are good enough for NATO,but will never be good enough for the Christian club the EU. All what the US pays to Egypt Jordan or any other Muslim country,will never be enough for buying respect for the US.Respect is gained by deeds,not by dollars or Euros.Gainig the Muslims respect is only possible if you'r a Muslim,or if you kiss their behind,nothing else works. I guess you have their respect,good for you.

I believe the argument that focuses on the demands on Turkey withdrawing from Kurdistan are pointless. If we refer to states and borders that date back to before the Turkish nomads came to Anatolia, then where do we stop? Can the native indians tell the Americans to cease their illegal occupation? Should we allow the Maori's and the Aborigines to claim back Australia and New Zealand? Such proposals (while perhaps touching upon some moral issues) are moot and would be laughed at. The fact that the people who live within borders of an established and sovereign state should not be disregarded. Just like any attempt to divide or take land from Israel due to trumped up historic reasons should be disregarded.

1. AKP wanted to pass - through a referendum - a so called civilian constitution to replace the current one. It was rejected. It had clauses that would give the ruling government unprecedented power to make serious changes to the nature of the secular democratic republic. AKP is not trying to do a one step jump into sheria, it is doing it slowly as you say ALISTIRA ALISTIRA. 2. AKP decided to build the first nuclear plant in Turkey with no bid. The benefit of this huge deal goes to his son in law the Calik Group. 3. Since AKP came to power the government positions have been filled with AKP frineds and relatives less women and more men with Islamic beards and almond mustaches, you know whaqt I mean. Same at the Universities.

Let me prophesy what would be happened to Turkey if a kurdish state would have been established. It would not change anything. They would ask from Turkey more land. Once they would have their land they would start to send Qassams, day in day out. There will be drug expolosion in all over the Turkey. There will be no Turks is the Kurdish areas. The Kurds that would live in Turkey would start to say, change the cresent of the national flag, change the national anthem of Turkey. Change the Kurds in the above post to Palies, and Turkey to Israel. This is what we are living for years. Aby Aby

I recommend that you read The rise and the fall of ottoman empire - The Ottoman Times - by Lord Kinross. It is true that teh British and Russians had carved out a big part of the empire like the Arabian peninsula, the North African colonies and part of the Balkan territories but they were not in the process of totally destroying the empire. When teh Union and Progress party (Ittihat ve terakki) sided with Germans then British objectives changed.

Which posts are you referring to?

The Turks invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974. By the end of August, Turkish troops occupied 37% of the island. The invasion led to the expulsion of 180,000 Greek Cypriots from the north and led to the death of at least 1,600 Greek Cypriots. Since the invasion, 120,000 Turks have been transported to Cyprus from Anatolia, in violation of the Geneva Convention and hence a war crime, to occupy the homes of the Greek Cypriot refugees. UN Resolution 1987/19 (1987) of the "Sub-Commission On Prevention Of Discrimination And Protection Of Minorities" demands "the full restoration of all human rights to the whole population of Cyprus, including the freedom of movement, the freedom of settlement and the right to property" and also expresses "its concern also at the policy and practice of the implantation of settlers in the occupied territories of Cyprus which constitute a form of colonialism and attempt to change illegally the demographic structure of Cyprus".

In 1937, after suppressing various Kurdish rebellions, the Turks put Southeast Anatolia under martial law, making it subject to military occupation. In addition to destruction of villages and massive deportations, Turkish Government encouraged Kosovar Albanians and Assyrians to settle in the Kurdish area to change the ethnic composition of the region. People were put in barns and caves and burned alive. Forests were surrounded and set alight to exterminate those who had taken refuge there. Between 1925 to 1938, more than 1.5 million Kurds were deported and massacred. In order to prevent the events from having a negative impact on Turkey's International image and reputation, foreigners were not allowed to visit the entire area east of Euphrates until 1965 and the area remained under permanent military siege till 1950. The Kurdish language was banned and the words "Kurds" and "Kurdistan" were removed from dictionaries and history books and Kurds were only referred to as "Mountain Turks"

Has there ever been a Kurdish state? Yes, there has, though it didn't last too long. The Republic of Ararat was a Kurdish state, located in the east of modern Turkey. It was declared independent in 1927, during a wave of rebellion among Kurds in south-eastern Turkey. In 1930, the Turkish Air Force bombed Kurdish positions around Mt. Ararat from all directions. Turkish military mobilized 66,000 soldiers and 100 aircraft. The Ararat rebellion was defeated in 1931, and Turkey resumed control over the territory.

imposed on you. I don't know where do you live and what history did you know. Is there any Jew left in Marmara region? Just investigate what Turks had done to the Jews in 1940. What about the Varlik tax?. What about 10 classes that been drafted to the army during WW2. The whole male Jew population was in Erzurum during WW2, without giving them any weapon. What about the the exiled Jews to Askale for broking stones which couldn't paid their Varlik taxes. Thanks Cengiz. We are merciful to Turkey for what they had done to us otherwise we could not imigrate to Israel. Aby

I do not think turks made a bad choice during WW1 against general belief.the british empire, Russia, France and other western powers shared the empire on a map before WW1. I do not think that turkey was in a position to avoid this war.If Erdogan critisize Israel in the future he also has to emphasize everytime that his speaks is nothing to do with untisemitism otherwise we do not believe him.

Great Question: Maybe the answer is as simple as we are humans; and it is, unfortunately, part of our nature despite evolution and intermittent flashes of intelligence. Anyone in their right mind has to be sick of this mess as it can profit only a few. Take the profit away and it ends. Any ideas? But you know this anyway.

Some people claim that turkey has become islamist and undemocratic. I closely watch the turkish media and the sociaty but can not find any evidence that people have become more islamist. the good news about about turkey is that the debate islamic idea and secular principles seemed to have reconcilied in the last decade which means islamists have become more secular. in return, secular public has become more conservative and nationalist.You can not hear on TV channels any more that some speakers tells that current laws should be replaced with the islamic principles. But if you look at from outside of Turkey you can only see that Erdogan said this, said that or turkey has become islamic state. I totaly reject Erdogan's attitude towards israel.But he is also known to display bad language towards public.in my home town, One guy from the audiance shouted at him saying you made our mother cry.PM said take your mother with you and go home.In turkish, this is associated with a swear word.

You are missing what Yosi wants to say. Not thousand years but 600 years had been past Anatolia is yours. While you are living there for 600 years we've lived here for 3000 years. Romans, Ottomans and Brits had occupied these lands, but there was no Palestine in this time era. 62 years had been passed, still you don't want to admit that this lands belongs to us. How many must have to past in order to admit this lands belongs to us? Aby

"Your mistake is that you are claiming that Turkey, like Israel, invaded another nation" This is also your mistake. Which state? Was there any establihed state when we've occupied the WestBank and Gaza. Jordan and Egypt had occupied WestBank and Gaza in 1948 after Israel was established. Before it belonged to English mandate and to Ottomans. It is almost the same there is a Kurd etnicity in your lands, and an Arab etnicity in our lands. "Israel is one of those countries supporting these terrorists." Do you have any evidence that we've suported these terrorists? Why Turkey, especially Erdogan is hesitating to make their remarks against Israel. Because none is true. You belive in what you what you want to believe. Your media is creating systematicly these false accusations. The reality is the other way around. It is clear that Israel is supporting the Turkish side by suplying information and weapons. Aby

For another perspective on Austalia, see the whole of Chapter Seven of Ben Kiernan's Blood and Soil: A World History of Genocide and Extermination from Sparta to Darfur, Yale University Press (2007), on "genocidal violence" in Australia. For an update, see Chloe Hooper's Tall Man: The Death of Doomadgee, Scribner (2009).

My dear friend Isarel, I am an American of Turkish Cypriot decent whose parents and grandparents were forced to leave their ancient homeland Cyprus due to Greek massacres in 1963. Annan plan does not call for the return of Magosa to Greeks; instead it calls for limited population exchange between the North and South parts of Cyprus after the final settlement. It was Turkish Cypriots who offered to give parts of Magosa to the South as part of final the settlement in Cyprus. By the way my family were expelled from Paphos by the Greeks. The population of Deve Limani in Magosa was vacated after a population exchange between the two communities following Greek Junta's attempted coup in the island in 1974 that caused the Turkish peace operation to stop further massacre of Turkish Cypriots. I love Israeli people, have been many times to Israel and was sad to see the recent verbal conflict between the politicians of Turkey and Israel. I believe Turkey and Israel have the same common interest

We don't want to risk the military aid we get from the Uniited States. Turkey and Israel will work together, they might even talk to each other, but Israel and Turkey will no longer be best of friends.

NO:50 Yes Kris you are right But israeli not different arabs same race arab=israeli

Moreover, we should not forget. Turkey is a criminal state, that cannot lecture on morals to Israel. Its war crimes against the Kurds, the Armenians in the past are clear to all, and turn Israel "operation in Gaza" into a children "promenade". The United States supports Turkey for cold of interests, and that is the reason why it supports Israel as well. However, there is more. Durson forgets to add, that America is a criminal state also, and has nothing to lecture Israel on morals. Obama is involved now in three wars, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen, and there is no way out of them. I am sorry about Miss Durson's tax money, but she sure knows where that money goes. Not precisely to Israel.

"I know all about Australia, I once lived there." Since you once lived here, you would also know that this is the country that every refugee in the region aspires to land in - why? Because it has the most freedom, highest standard of living and is one of the most law abiding countries in the world. No? Then ask the almost one hundred thousand Turkish migrants that live here instead of in Turkey. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

"I know all about Australia, I once lived there." Since you once lived here, you would also know that this is the country that every refugee in the region aspires to land in - why? Because it has the most freedom, highest standard of living and is one of the most law abiding countries in the world. No? Then ask the almost one hundred thousand Turkish migrants that live here instead of in Turkey. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Only yesterday Ayalon predicted that the Islamist regime in Turkey will speak differently about Israel from now on. Now Turkey says, for the first time in many years, that Israel is a "strategic ally". We will see how long this kind of talk lasts after Israel delivers the next batch of drones to the Turkish army. Erdogan is NOT to be trusted! Turkey is a self-described "strategic ally" but Israel has other allies. A real friend is worth any number of strategic allies.

Mr Ayalon and Lieberman does not understand this simple fact that TV stations are not run by the Turkish government. In Turkey, the government does not produce TV series too. Turkish press and TVs are free by law and most of them (including the station that the last TV series is broadcasted) are opposing the government on a daily basis. TV series are fiction and many people are portrayed as bad including Turks itself, americans, arabs, israelis and kurds. Their limit is their imagination. By the help of your foreign affairs, our producers realized that being critical of israel means free advertising of the TV series.

Turks are right, Israel has become arrogant...Not a day goes by that there is not some sort of allegations against the Israeli state by other countries or Israel is having a dispute with another country including USA...So let?s all pull our ambassadors from Israel, stop trading with them and above all stop sending American tax payers cash to them that keeps them afloat. May be this will bring some sense to Israeli public. I think American tax payers money is better spent at home here in US and in Latin America

As an American who survived eight years of George W. Bush, I feel for Israelis living with this. The issue isn't so much their far right attitude as their obvious inexperience and clumsiness.

send letters of appreciation to Mr. Erdogan and his aspiring junior advisors. Israel is in action and the action spells "trouble" to her foes. Barak - Netanyahoo team rocks! Turkish relationship is not going to be lost to cheap shots with attention span of an algae.

Once the Islamists solidify their control over Turkey, the relationship will be over. Of course, it's quite possible the secular forces in Turkey may stage a comeback...

A reading of posts here shows many have attitudes towards all Muslims which would be deemed anti-Semitism were those same attitudes directed at Jews. Will someone explain to me why irrational hatred towards any group is either acceptable, unacceptable, or acceptable based solely upon the group being hatted?

I see many remonstrating Turkey for their treatment of the Kurds. They seem to equate the treatment of Kurds by Turks with the treatment of Palestinians by Israel. This is not really equivalent. I agree that the Turkish approach to the Kurds could be more enlightened, and note that it has grown much more liberal in the last decade. Still, Kurds are Turkish citizens and may vote. Thus the question might better be why doesn't Israel treat the Palestinians as well as Turkey treats it's Kurds.

"I hope we can turn the wheels backward on our relations with Turkey." Of course, me and my main man Avig both want the same thing here. We both know which way he means it. Go Lieberman!!!

Serhan, We appreciate the Turkish hospitality in Middle ages. But today Turkish government is far from friendly to Israel and the Jews in general.

Same as the conflict we have with the Arabs is our business, not yours.

Response to Cengiz #68: My grandfather, great-grandfather and great-uncles owned the majority of land in their province. Their cousin was Ottoman Minster of Finance. They were loyal to the Turkish government until the moment that mad doctor Dr. Mehmet Reshid had them torn to shreds with a scimitar in 1915.

Annan proposal aside there is also the issue of Famagusta (Magosa) which Turks expelled all its inhabitants and the city is like a ghost town since 1974. The UN wants Turkey to allow the people back to their homes without any preconditions but so far Turkey is not doing that. Now, I stand with Turkey in Cyprus so does Israel, unlike the Arab nations that support the Greek narrative. The Turkish and Israeli issues are in essence very similar despite your reasoning to bash Israel and protect Turkish issues. You should open your eyes and stand by your real rooted friends. The last time Turks made a bad choice it was WWI and lost most of the empire.

You don't like others to meddle in your issues with the Kurds. Then shouldn't you also stop meddling with Israels issues with their Arab brothers and sisters to be resolved among themselves? Shouldn't you be serving your country better spending your time to resolve your internal Kurdish matters by explaining EU and USA your case for yourself instead of using the Israeli lobby around the world? Just a thought.

Notwithstanding the outrageous behaviour of the Turkish PM Edogan, Danny Ayalon is a public embarrassment. His tactics with the Turkish Ambassador were small minded and petty -- and exceptionally counter-productive. What's taking the Israeli government so long to sack this loose cannon? He should be gone -- and soon.

called lebanon, syria , jordan , iraq, israel saudi arabia , yemen . the british and french when carving up the ottoman empire forgot to mandate aland for the kurds 1

All PKK, armenian haters maybe some greeks and others who hate Turks and Turkey, genocide and mass killing is Christian made, Russians killed 8 million in Ukrine, germans 6million jews not to mention polish and 20 million Russians, spanish 800 jews 1492,french 1.5 million Algerians,British 10 million American Indians and 3 million African blacks by slavery, and 12 millon Chinese with dope, and lets not froget howmany Indians from India,as recently in Rwanda french enginered 1 million or more killing,armenians killed 500.000 turks 150.000 one night alone, 17 years ago armenians killed 2000 Azeri women and children killing yeah lets talk about it and it is all western made under a cross, not Turkish

bunch of lazy drunks and usually have hangovers on Satudays. As to yoyr question on Zionism---here is the answer from the Horses mouth "Zionists were men of their time: Colonialism and imperialism framed the Jewish enterprise in Palestine, giving early rise to the hundred-year conflict with the region?s indigenous Arabs. Hertzl vocalized the attitude when he described a new Jewish homeland in Palestine as ?an outpost of civilization against barbarism.? He and his ideological descendants knew the conflicts be inevitable. ?We must expropriate gently,? he wrote in 1895. ?We shall try to spirit the penniless population across the border by procuring employment for it in the transit countries, while denying it any employment in our country?. Both the process of expropriation and the removal of the poor must be carried out discreetly and circumspectly.? The words would be repeated and reflected, with varying degrees of extremism, throughout the emerging history of what was to become the State of Israel in 1948. ?Zionism,? the Revisionist-Zionist Za?ev Jabotinstky, wrote in 1926, ?is a colonizing venture and, therefore, it stands or falls on the question of armed force.? Anti-Zionism, which took form as Arab, then Palestinian, nationalism, was inevitable.

I think its enough now! Let us all pick up the pieces and restore everything back to normal and let us hope idiots like erdogan and ayalon and lieberman do not ruin relations.

The real problem between Israel and Turkey is the competition against becoming leader country in the region within the near future. Turkey with its growing economy and dynamic population is one step further on this aim. Israel reaction is due to the this fact. Turkey succesfully managed the changing situation after cold war and now Turkey is not a wing country of USA and Israel. In short, the story is not over just started. I wonder 20 years later... let us see... :)

Are we talking about the same country where a Kurdish musician Ahmet Kaya was lynched and banished from Turkey cause he just said he wanted to make a Kurdish Album? Or just two weeks ago a mob of thousand men carrying knives forced Gypsies out their homes and leave? Or a Christian Bishop murdered in Trabzon? Or 3 missioners` brutally murder by cutting their throats in SOuth East Turkey? The Murder of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink? Oh Turkey is paradise

Well thank God neither of the People in Cyprus is not Fanatic enough to blow up each other..As for where i stand, i don`t know, people of Cyprus will have to decide for themselves, but still it doesn`t change the fact that Turkey was right to intervene but wrong to stay there and continue occupation as for Israel to continue occupation in West Bank and Gaza...

If you know the Cyprus problem you must remember that UN called Annan plan was voted in 2004. According to this plan, If Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot voted YES, the Turkish army was going to withraw from Cyprus.The Turkey's Government actively supported this plan. But the Greek cypriot voted %75 against this plan.The turkish cypriots voted %65 in the favor of this plan. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME NOW WHRE DO YOU STAND ?

are you remember? We have open to doors your people at 1493 Jewishs escape from Spain and we have help

Barak may not, but you obviously know the big picture. Tell us about it. But if by referring to an Islamic-Jihadist Turkish government, you mean it is a sponsor of international terrorism, you start with one foot in the bucket. But, maybe you are right. Why does Israel need Turkey? Turkey, a NATO member, an associate member and candidate member of the EU, member of the Council of Europe, founding member of the OECD, member of the OSCE and a member of the European bloc of UN voters, is a great enemy to have. But Israel must hope that Turkey, and the rapidly growing list of nations who are tired of Israel's violations of international law doesn't say the same thing about Israel, "who needs them?" There are already an unprecedented number of campaigns for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. Israel doesn't need one more enemy. Israel can only say, "who needs them," so many times before it finds itself isolated in the international community.

That Barak could visit Turkey, but would not take a chance on visiting England.

Dont mix diplomasy with bureaucracy Mr. Rafiq.The conflict which we have with our Kurd brother is our subject not yours!

I lived mostly in Izmir from 1950 to 1980. I also lived in Istanbul and Ankara. We were close neighbors and friends with mayor Osman Kibar, friends with Ali Kocatepe's father Recep bey etc. My parents were not just disturbed but all their belongings were confiscated by the government under the name of VARLIK VERGISI. My father was sent to a labor camp under the so called 20 Kura draft to Afyon. I remember vaguely the 1955September6-7 riots against Jews. But righteous Turks came to our help. Izmir had a Greek majority followed by Armenians. Muslims came 3rd. Today there are only 1 or 2 Armenians left in Izmir. Israel has Arab/Muslim members in the Knesset and an Arab did take the presidency for 2 weeks two years ago. The names you gave Jak Kamhi, Cem Hakko are businessmen. How many mustesars are there in any ministry in Turkey that are Jewish or Armenian? An Armenian recently passed the exam to be eligible but a job was not assigned to him so far. Iyi Geceler

Need we say anything more to explain problems emerging in Turkish-Israel relations?

Then you accept that you can`t delegitimize Israel by saying that there were Palestinians here before you, which is not the case anyway Jews have always lived in that region over 2500 hears..If Greeks haven`t always been there so did the Palestinians, Arabs who started to call themselves Palestinians 3 decades ago !!! if you insist that Israel is illegitimate then see you in a 1000 years when Israel becomes legitimate, cause in your eyes if 1000 years pass after invading you own the land...What are you going to do about North Cyprus which is an illegal country according to UN and was invaded 35 years ago?

There was never a free Kurdistan in history. Kurdistan is only and geographic term. Anatolia belongst to Turks for 1000 years.Europeans called anatolia as TURCHIA since 1074. Armenians only lived in Eastern Anatolia in anthic era...ok Turks will leave the land,than Americans will give the land to the Indians:D

There was never a free Kurdistan in history. Kurdistan is only and geographic term. Anatolia belongst to Turks for 1000 years.Europeans called anatolia as TURCHIA since 1074. Armenians only lived in Eastern Anatolia in anthic era...ok Turks will leave the land,than Americans will give the land to the Indians:D

is that as a group they prefer to suffer rather than negotiate. Because as far as they are concerned negotiating is giving in. Peple say the Pals have suffered for over 60 yrs. Think about that. Most other people would look in the mirror and say...maybe it is time for a new strategy. Israel is not going away and people will continuously die for stubborness. stuborness which is really not the answer.

How did you arrive at 1000 years? Why not 2000 years or 53 years? Here is the thing. if there are Peoples who lived in the area that pre-dated you guys, then there is a principled basis for saying that you are trespassing. So, yes, we Canadians are trespassing, so are the Americans, so are the rest of the Nations in the Western Hempisphere, most of the northern hemisphere, the Aussies, the Kiwis, the Japanese, etc. If you pick on Israel, who unlike all these other Nations, actually pre-dated the Pals as opposed to the indigenous peoples of these other nations, at a minimum you would think that integrity, consistency, requires that all these other countries leave (to where I don't know). Historically, asking Jews to leave their homeland, with some exceptions, has been a recipe for slaughter of Jews. In short, of all the countries in the world where there are disputes involving conflicting claim to territory of Peoples, the Israelis probably have the strongest historical case.

David, you said that you lived in Turkey. Can you tell me pls? When you were in Turkey,who did disturb you because of your religion? We had kurdish prime minister called Turgut Özal. Can this possible in Israel? Can Israelis have an Arab Prime Minister? Anyone who are successful and willing to manage the government,can be MP in Turkey. We have many jews,armenian or kurdish artists or important figures in Turkey and they are very popular (for example;Linet,Kirkor Cezveciyan,İbrahim Tatlıses,Jak Kamhi,Cem Hakko). Pls be merciful when you give an example about Turkey. There was not a dictatorship in Turkey anymore. Good Night!!

David, you said that you lived in Turkey. Can you tell me pls? When you were in Turkey,who did disturb you because of your religion? We had kurdish prime minister called Turgut Özal. Can this possible in Israel? Can Israelis have an Arab Prime Minister? Anyone who are successful and willing to manage the government,can be MP in Turkey. We have many jews,armenian or kurdish artists or important figures in Turkey and they are very popular (for example;Linet,Kirkor Cezveciyan,İbrahim Tatlıses,Jak Kamhi,Cem Hakko). Pls be merciful when you give an example about Turkey. There was not a dictatorship in Turkey anymore. Good Night!!

David, you said that you lived in Turkey. Can you tell me pls? When you were in Turkey,who did disturb you because of your religion? We had kurdish prime minister called Turgut Özal. Can this possible in Israel? Can Israelis have an Arab Prime Minister? Anyone who are successful and willing to manage the government,can be MP in Turkey. We have many jews,armenian or kurdish artists or important figures in Turkey and they are very popular (for example;Linet,Kirkor Cezveciyan,İbrahim Tatlıses,Jak Kamhi,Cem Hakko). Pls be merciful when you give an example about Turkey. There was not a dictatorship in Turkey anymore. Good Night!!

together with his juniors would be out the door in a heart-beat. Yet the Moldavian nightclub worker and the junior who humiliated the Turkish ambassador have not even been publicly criticized by the Gov't. How come?

just like a typical battered wife who gets beaten black and blue up by the abusive husband every night,but does not leave him,because every morning he tells her he is sorry and he still loves her,so does Israel suffer abuse day and night from Turkey,Egypt,Jordan,but goes grovelling back on all fours to lick their boots and begging them please please love me. what an ugly and disgusting spectacle,Israel has lost her backbone and self respect and has become the laughing stock of the whole world

Bla Bla Bla. This is the usual " diplomatic empty talking" that goes on. In fact, not an army chief determines who is an ally and who is not, but the political elite and last not least the people of the state. Who knows Turkey well, will also know that the Turks never wished to have Israel as a strategic partner nor as a friendly country.The reasons are well known. Not astonishing after what Israel had done to the Palestinians during the last 62 years of intimidation, expulsion and constant killing. The Turkish people under Ordogan opened their eyes once and for all.

Labhras. A humble question from a keen amateur. How would you define the word "Zionist?" There always seems to be a lack of clarity on behalf of the posters regarding the definition of this word. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Have you being paid by turkish governement to talk on behalf of the Kurds? Kurds have being in war with turkey since its fondation for their own state. Why should palestinian deserve more than kurds? Turkey is the main obstacle concerning Kerkuk and kurdish indepedance in Irak. You need to be updated with the news and stop talking with naivety.

Imagine. Turkey, Jordan and Egypt...scroungers. I never thought you would berate Muslem countries like this, but when you've got murder and anhilation in Iraq,Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka,Pakistan,Afghanistan,Burma,Yemen, East Timor and Indonesia, well what do you expect. maybe we should all hold our noses. Whay ya tink Rett?

Turks should give some land away to kurds where they are condensed in the South East and issue a passports for the ones living in the West.Since kurds have the lowest education and south east part is at least 15 years backwards.. once they have their land they will start beating on each other kırmanchis zazas soranıs and different tribes and drug lords etc that they are made of. Than turkey can easily manuplate and have the oil income jointly working with usa israel and europe.This way also turkey do not spend more money and lose on that part and make some profit for a change

First of all I don't understand Israeli People, if you bellieve so called 'armenian genocide', you can recognize this in your parliament . But your country deny to accept so called 'armenian genocide', because Israel don't want problem with Turks. But this is not honest, if you believe in this you should recognize. About Arabs you are right, they stubbed us from back but after 100 years we can't judge anyone about things happend in history. We want good relation with all people in middle east.

The cruelty is part of a legal system it is an organized, planned and coherent strategy to deal harshly with the Kurds. The cruelty of Turkey is incorporated into the law, which is the primary vehicule for creating an inhumane society. Kemalism ideologies is the antithesis of the one that Jewish law and Kurdish society seeks to create.

I was in Istambul this summer. Because I speak the language, I could understand what they say.I swear those people are jihadists, islamist,pro terror against Israel.They hate the jews,they hate their guts.Israel better know this. There is nothing secular there.Turkey equals islamist.Better know your enemy who PRETENDS he is a friend and ally(I hate that word when used between Israel and Turkey)

We may forgive them Kris .. Maybe we will never forget but we forgave them .. How about your country brother ? When Hitler cutting your ancestor , which country received them ? and how about to Jews who escaped from Spain ? Where are they living now ? Let me answer .. Today's modern Turkey .. And now you tell me .. How could you people like this ? How could they hate Turks? How could they don't believe or trust us ? and maybe we did mistake .. Before commenting , search about it some ..

Of course, they're still squeezing up to Sudan's Bashir. But hey, its their right to choose who they want as friends. Just don't lecture Israel while your going through your dance of hypocrisy.

What nation did Israel invade? The answer is not Palestine because it was never and still is not a nation. Israel invaded Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. It did so because these countries had attacked her. Nations are entitled to fight back and entitled & advised, if possible, to bring the battle onto the soil of the aggressors. When this happened with Jordan, the Jordanians abandoned the lands in the WB. In international law when lands are abandoned they are available for the 1st takers. In any event, those lands were historically lands of the Jewish people & Jerusalem was a Jewish city built by the Jewish king, David. Jews were occupied & dispersed and treated brutally in their disbursement, not the least of which by Arab countries. The Arab presence was based on the sword, in short occupation. It is totally legitimate for Jews to return to their lands. They are the first Peoples in the area & never left voluntarily. There was no problem with Pals living there in PEACE!

Lieberman and his policy is what we need. The more you give in to turks, the more they will take. Remember their grandioz PM with superiority complex,thinks he owns the region. If we continue to apologize,turks will see it as weakness. Its not OK to describe Israel genocidal people in Gaza and baby killers.Its only turks who are so. Don't be surprised if Turkey helps militarily(covertly)the palastinians if another Gaza conflict starts

Turkey as with all moslem nations are only interseted in there causes, this is all dictated and orchrestated by iran they pull the stings and their little puppets hizbullah, hamas, syria, turkey, venezuela and the rest come lick their boots and the world spins on its axis. The Israeli's are pawns because their possesion of Jerusalem is key. 9/10's of the law is possesion remember that !!!

Nations have interests, not friends. Turkey and Israel have common enemies and their cooperate becuase they have common interest.

The Turks once again have forgotten their history. They forgot that their so called Muslim friends the Arabs stabbed them in the back by allying with the UK, France, and Russia against their country! The Jews of Turkey, on the other hand, supported the Turkish government and army. Jews of Constantinople provided relief and supplies for the Turkish army! What did the Arabs do? attack the Turks relentless with their British-Russian backers!

where do turks come from? They are an invading nation that concquered the entire middle east, committing genocide, slavery, kidnappinh, piracy, and jihadist expansion for 500 years!! Turkey was Greek Byzantine and Armenian land, the Turks and their Arab jihadist friends are the true source of genocide in the middle east! the whole world knows this except for the Turks!

I am shocked at the Turkish responses in the talk backs. They claim the Kurds don't want independence and that the Kurds were already living in Turkey and therefore Turkey did not invade and occupy their land! that is BS! -Not to mention Northern Cyprus which is really illegally occupied since it was a part of a sovereign nation! Palestine never existed and by law, the territory is disputed land- not illegally occupied! I don't know what they teach in Turkish schools or their militaristic army, but Turkey did invade, occupy, and commit genocide against ALL its neighbors, including their Arab friends (remember Alexandretta)! I was always a friend of Turkey's but their hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty is just too much! They will never learn to be truly democratic if they keep believing that Turks can do no wrong!

Perhaps if the Press and intellectuals in Turkey weren't afraid of being charged with treason, then maybe they would speak out against Turkish occupation and true genocide against Assyrians, Greeks, Armenians, and Kurds! The Turks come from Mongolia and East China- let them go back there!

Kurds are naturally ally with jews because both of them have been oppressed and exiled from their homeland in the contrary turks needs israel for technologie, aipac... Kurdistan is rich in water (tigris, Euphrat)and oil. Kurdistan can be an obstacle to the growing of fondamentalism and to the enemy of Israel. Let's hope the way that Yakov visited his uncle in Haran will hapen again...

historian---nothing wrong with that---but a conspiracy theorist to boot. Yep--you are falling into the Zionist "we are the victims" trap. I suggest you do a little research on Goldstone---you just might find he is a bigger friend of the Zionists then you thought. He might even be a saviour of Israel???.

historian---nothing wrong with that---but a conspiracy theorist to boot. Yep--you are falling into the Zionist "we are the victims" trap. I suggest you do a little research on Goldstone---you just might find he is a bigger friend of the Zionists then you thought. He might even be a saviour of Israel???.

Turkey will respond to pressure from America and the EU to a certain degree, but they cannot be made to like or respect Israel. Just as with Egypt and Jordan, Turkey can be persuaded to tolerate dealing with Israel if it in their interest to do so. America pays Egypt and Jordan an annual allowance for this. Turkey has extensive ties with America, is a member of NATO, and is a prospective member of the EU. This can be used to gain Turkeys cooperation.

Do you believe that greeks were there from the beginning? And do you believe that each nation was not moving? It was a silly comment that we are outsider. If we are here for about 1000 Years, it means that this is our own land. We owned it.

That is good advice for everyone and especially for Turks and others who have nothing better to do than comment on Israel.

Jews have never betrayed us (Turks) like Arabs and Kurds did. So why should we fight with them? And even in History, Turks also was believing Jewish religion. (see: Khazars)

Turks weren`t living in Anatolia until it was invaded by them in 1071. There were Greek and Armenian kingdoms long before Turks invaded Anatolia. Sorry to say but you are an outsider there too, unlike Israel who had established a kingdom in today`s Israel long before anyone else established any state or kingdom there...If you want to start a reverse migration today, you wont be living where you live now

... meantime he is the only asset that Bibi has... ... and sooner or later he'll be back as head of New Labor...

If Turkey is such a democratic state why is it that it is among the top of the list of many human rights organizations as human rights offenders?

1. Just like you cannot point out to Kurdistan on any map (There are amny that does which makes Turks angry but this is another topic) same maps do not show a state called Palestine also. 2. Turks originated in Central Asia. Anatolia was Greek on the west as we know for example Izmir as home of Homeros and the east was home to Armenians and Kurds historically. Turks invaded this land starting with the Selcuks followed by th eOttomans. I am not suggesting that 72 Million Turks should go back to China's Xinjian province just like 5 million Israelis, most of them born and raised ther cannot go anywhere else and deserve their state. 3. I don't know where Turkboy gets his numbers but the Jurdish movement is much bigger then 3% of the Kurdish population. But Israel helpes Turkey against PKK. Provided intelligence and handed Ocalan to Turkey, loaned herons to be used against PKK and more. If you are being fed false information check out what I wrote and verify for yourself.

forwarded by vow by erdogan to iran and syria.

suddenly Kurdistan is not occupied bu Turkey Irak Syrie ... Ending the occupation does not mean partitioning Turkey, but Turks pulling out of Kurdistan. Simple !

Israel does not have to worry about Iran and Syria being a threat to its security. It has Ayalon and Leiberman working overtime to alienate Israels few remaining friends. If Livni had initially agreed to join the cabinet last year she would have been Foreign Minister instead of the facist Leiberman and Israel's image around the world would not have been harmed. Instead, Israel's foreign ministry is headed by a bull in a china shop and he is busy breaking all the dishes of hard won and earned diplomacy by Israels past governments and destroying Israels image even among its friends.

You have to ask yourself what happens to you without Turkey's support...

more powerful. You seem to be short on both. Your post to Land is proof.

No, Rich; I don't know the people you have suggested. I am an amateur historian and do research on subjects which arouse my curiosity... I also speak a number of languages which makes it relatively easier to find information.

I thought the Australian PM recently apologized to Aborigines for crimes committed by the state against them? I know all about Australia, I once lived there. So stop preaching. Australians do not count, especially when it comes to human rights; have you forgotten how Aussies collaborated with the British to remove the children from their families and have them sent to farms in Australia to work in early 20th century? Don't let me to get your dirty linen out.

Dear Ellen, I think it is all a conspiracy against the Zionist and Israel! And as for this Goldstone chap, he must be an islamist and a senior member of Erdogan's AKP Party!

Some would consider the Kurds as having a state in Northern Iraq. I take it, that is not enough for you. You seek to partition Syria, Turkey & Iran in order to create a Greater Kurdistan? As much as I like to see all people have freedom and their own nation, in some cases the destruction and war to ascertain such a goal makes it highly unappealing. I support more freedom, equal opportunity for all people in all nations. I think we all 'own' this Earth, but sadly just as we treat it we also treat each other. I am glad to see tensions subsiding between Turkey & Israel. Finally calmer heads are prevailing. Davutoglu is a great diplomat and slowly is reshaping the politics of the region. It would be wise for Israel to work closely with him.

Some would consider the Kurds as having a state in Northern Iraq. I take it, that is not enough for you. You seek to partition Syria, Turkey & Iran in order to create a Greater Kurdistan? As much as I like to see all people have freedom and their own nation, in some cases the destruction and war to ascertain such a goal makes it highly unappealing. I support more freedom, equal opportunity for all people in all nations. I think we all 'own' this Earth, but sadly just as we treat it we also treat each other. I am glad to see tensions subsiding between Turkey & Israel. Finally calmer heads are prevailing. Davutoglu is a great diplomat and slowly is reshaping the politics of the region. It would be wise for Israel to work closely with him.

requested---arresting allegaed war criminals. Read the report. "1975. To the international community, (a) The Mission recommends that the States parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 should start criminal investigations in national courts, using universal jurisdiction, where there is sufficient evidence of the commission of grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Where so warranted following investigation, alleged perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with internationally recognized standards of justice; Go on read the report---if you have the guts to face the truth head on.

sad that you know so much about ayalon family history, u must be friends with linthwaite

some responses here only show how deep Turkish problem is with its occupation of Kurdistan. No indeed No UN member Kurdistan, but does this wipe of the history? in 1600 no UN existed but Maps of Kurdistann do exist. Europe should wake up end start supporting the Kurdish People end demand the Turkish occupation!

Did you know that Israel is committing war crimes for merely having the termerity to continue to exist and defend itself?

For Israel it is hard to believe, that their leverage on Turkey is much lower as it was in the 1980ies or before. Turkey has changed to a democratic country but Israel is still living in 1967. So look at yourself and think about it. Dont blame others for stealing land, if you are occupying land for 40years (on international law). Dont blame other countries if you keep 1,5mio humans in an open prison to kick them every time you want. Israel is loosing its powerfull position day by day, so think about what you say!

Ayalon is an idiot. He behaved unprofessionally and should be fired - period.

So the Turks think that it is only 1% of the Kurdish people that are negative towards them. Try 99.9% of Armenians; 90% of Greeks; 90% of Bulgarians; 80% of Germans and French. Shall I go on? The problem with the Turks is that they keep taking the high ground and throwing stones at others when they themselves are living in a glass house. Remember this - if you behave like a hypocrite, you will be treated like one. Oh, by the way, if you all think that the majority of Kurds want to be occupied by you, how about holding a referendum and seeing what the result might be. Or better still, hold a referendum and see if the Cypriots want to be occupied, both Greek and Turkish. Believe me, you Turks have much more serious problems on your plate than worrying about the employment situation in Gaza.

So the Turks think that it is only 1% of the Kurdish people that are negative towards them. Try 99.9% of Armenians; 90% of Greeks; 90% of Bulgarians; 80% of Germans and French. Shall I go on? The problem with the Turks is that they keep taking the high ground and throwing stones at others when they themselves are living in a glass house. Remember this - if you behave like a hypocrite, you will be treated like one. Oh, by the way, if you all think that the majority of Kurds want to be occupied by you, how about holding a referendum and seeing what the result might be. Or better still, hold a referendum and see of the Cypriots want to be occupied, both Greek and Turkish. Believe me, you Turks have much more serious problems on your plate than worrying about the employment situation in Gaza.

And who will arrest the Turks for killing millions of Armenians and stealing the Kurds country?

1.What international alliances & national socio-political changes Turkey does is none of Israel's business.If you don't like what they do,you keep your distance. 2.90 % of all the films financed,directed and/or acted by jews have zionist and pro-israeli messages & degrading attitudes to others be them Christians,Muslim,Hindus etc.. 3.Zionists in the States can not tolerate even the Christian symbols & crosses:just look at what Christmas has become! 4.Did not your IDF kill more than 1400 civilians in 3 weeks of indiscriminate bombardment of Gazza & decent people were walking the streets & protesting only about a year ago whilst your civilians were watching and pic-nicking from hill tops? 5.Your government still keep a blocus and prevent even the most innocent goods like baby food, medecine and nappies to enter Gazza! For your guidance,Erdogan might have a position of been vocal and heard;many millions of decent people including tens of thousands of jews think & say like he does!

Barak does not seem to see the big picture. He is playing right into the hands of the Turkey's Islamist-Jihadist government. Barak's lone ranger move is detrimental to Israel.

Please stay up to date about current matters before posting. Kurds (the people, not PKK) in Turkey are no longer asking for an independant state. They are asking to have school in their own language and a certain level of autonomy. Basically they want guaranteed minority status. The main problem is that "Kurdistan" is between Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. The Kurds in Irak do not want an independant state because they are profitting greatly from the fall of Saddam and oil. The Kurds in Iran are treaty fairly (yes Iran does treat minorities properly, even Jews, check any factual source). So they are no longer aiming for an independant state. The only exception being the PKK, wich is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and EU. So since you ignore Hamas I guess they can ignore the PKK. Comparing Israel and Palestine to Turkey and Kurdistan is apples and oranges. And even if they were comparable, does someone elses crimes forgive your crimes?

Your mistake is that you are claiming that Turkey, like Israel, invaded another nation. Kurdish people lived under Turkey since its foundation; in other words, Turks did not invade their lands. They lived in our country since its foundation, just like they lived here even at the Ottoman lands. The two cases are too different, also because of the reason Burak mentioned. Not all of them want to separate; in fact, most do not. The separatists are less than 1%. I would also let them separate if that solved the problem. But the problem is not that they want to separate, but that there are a bunch of Kurdish terrorists (mostly from Iraq, Syria and Iran) constantly attacking Turkey claiming that their goal is a free land for Kurds, when in fact they are supported by foreign anti-Turkish countries, and arguably, Israel is one of those countries supporting these terrorists. Not sure if this is true, but if it is, and if Erdogan is aware of this, don't be surprised why he bashes Israel.

Rafiq can you show me kurdistan on map?as UN member,even have UN offical?LOL

Sir, Does commendable deeds by the prior Turkish secular governements are excuse for the current Islamists antics of the present, not too secular pro Iranian, anti Western and anti Israel governement?

You are rigth, to end turkish occupation you first have to accept Kurdistan. Turkish People do not only occupy, but even do not accept the existance of it! This is even worse

Barak,went in the wrong month you get turkeys in November for Thanksgiving not in January.One can not soar with the eagels if he walks with turkeys,a wise man once said.Barak,remeber this when they put hand cuffs on you.

It must be unnerving for the Israeli military to have to be looking over their shoulders all the time. The foreign service must have a huge staff working full time to make sure travelling Israelis don't get arrested.

His grandmother came back to Cyprus in 1963 to visit old friends and relations. Eventually, she died there in 1973. Mr.Ayalon and other family members came to take her body to Israel. For whatever reasons I don?t know they say they were obstructed by the Turkish employees and could only take the body back 2-3 months later. In 1973, Cyprus was still a unified (!) country but the Turks were, like the Palestinians today, already living in ghettos and cantons for security reasons. It seems Mr.Ayalon has a long lasting grudge and doesn?t forget easily. But then, nor do the Turks: would the need arise again ?history has the bad habit of repeating itself-, the Turkish diplomats will think twice before they lift a finger to save another Jew... Considering the ?thank you? they got recently from a descendent of one of the recipient of their positive attention, nobody could blame them for it either...

Mr.Ayalon?s father?s side are Russian Jews; his paternal grand-mother and her family are all Greek Jews from the Island of Crete. When the Nazis invaded Greece in 1943, the Turkish diplomats in the island helped her and her family with hundreds of other Jews to be transferred to the Island of Rhodes from where Turkish ships took them to Istanbul. Mr.Ayalan?s grandmother and family stayed there for 2 years. At the end of the war, they went to the than British colony of Cyprus waiting to be transferred to the British Protectorate of Palestine. His paternal grandmother and his aunts have been saved by Turkish diplomats: like the one he hoped to humiliate in vain. According to the records in N.S. Documentation Centre in Ludwigsburg (Germany) and Yog Ashem Centre (I don?t know if this is misspelled Yad Washem or another Centre) in Washington and Tel Aviv, Turks saved the highest number of Jews during the Nazis era between 1939-45: around 275.000 souls against the second best, the Americans who only saved 78.000 individuals from the occupied territories.

Really, let s leave Kurdistan. As a turk I really support that idea. It would be easier for us to end the problem. But where is it? Where do those separatist kurds leave? do all the people living there really want to leave their turkish citizenship? No I dont think so...All we need is a more democratic country where all people may live together in peace but not a new territorial dispute. And Turkey is doing that. one third of turkish parliament is consisted of deputies w/ Kurdish origin. There is a private kurdish channel in State television etc... I believe that U should learn the realities before commenting on it...

BIBI has not yet got rid of the diplomatic geniuses of the foreign ministry. the conclusion is that no matter how great is the damage already caused and how bright are the future expectations might we cant efford them, Israel is too small fr them and they are too great for us. so please BIBI before it's too late just get rid of them.

I hope Mr Barak will talk with the Turks about occupied Kurdistan and the human rigths of the Kurdish people. Both Turkey and Kurdistan are friendly nations with Israel. Like Both Israel and Palastine are for Turks . In this view it would be the opportunity for Both the Turks and Israeli to come to a complete peace with both palastinians as well as the people of Kurdistan. As long as Turkey is occupeing Kurdistan, and Turkey does not see any problem in occupeing Kurdistan and deneing the rigths of the ancient! Kurdish people, it is very clear that all this concern for the palastinians has nothing to do with the Turks morality, but just cheap politics of the Turks.

Unless of course the Turks decide to escalate. Carefully choreographed footage of Barak being told no, he can't use the bathroom...