Turkey: Syria will accept only us as mediator in Israel talks

The way Mr Erdogan talks seems that he declares himself a power broker with such a clout that the EU will beg Ti\urkey to become a member. He si full of "the wrong ideas". Syria does not have anything to offer Israel, therefore Turkey or any other country with such mind wont help. for the next ten years there wont be any peace with Syria.

Who would be a better broker than Turkey? The US? Please...

I'm just noticing both countries never talk with eachother anymore and ties are nearly indeed totally broken. I'm wondering why we even have ambassadors. Let's be ready to appoint the Israel-Turkey mediator.

There is a armenian internet propoganda unit in Glendale california goes in this and that sites and they pretend to be Turkish,Jewish,Kurdish,Greek and intice hatred and try to divie Turkey from these others, when you see hate massages from both sides please pay no attention,Jews know Turks and Jews go back since 1492 to yesterday, as Turkish Jew from Izmir l tell you that my family had no problems in Turksy they respect us and all the Jews know Turks were good to them,matterfact armenians acuse the Jews for the killing by telling every one Talat Pasha who ordered the armenias out been a Jew, they hate the Jews more than anyone,armenian haters are at work in these sites,

As I wrote before KENDI KENDINE GELIN GUVEY OLUNMAZ Just because Turkey wants to be a mediator teh other sides are not obliged to trust and accept it. You end up being bride and groom on your own if this was possible.

I realize either Israel decides to return the Golen Heights and or they do no not it is all quite cut and so dry alas the Sinai wuz mostly sand mostly Egyptian Bedoiuns butt the Golen Heights offers much more thus Israel is holding on to it and so probably would continue to do so Assad Syria should see the difference but no Arabs think it is all the same thus who needs Turkey any way manner RIGHT ??? Thank You... M. S.

Neccessity dictates that the Turkish Republic be the Chief Mediator in the Middile East. It's mighty military power, coupled with the soft power it enjoys from being the successor state to the Ottoman Empire makes it well positioned to assume this role from the onset. Whether they like it or not, all countries in the Middle East have to deal with Ankara and some stage.

if Syria were serious they would talk directly with Israel. for the moment its 'middle east games'.

Let Syria talk to Israel if that is what Syria wants to do. Israel will reply when it has read the Syrian peace proposal.

OKay. Israel is busy doing something else while you bark.

So what. Example of Turkish arragance.

A terrorist is strictly someone who seeks to spread terror as a means of achieving an ideological or political goal. It is generally applied to insurgencies rather than governments, albeit the latter may use equally deplorable terrorist tactics. A freedom fighter is someone who fights against a foreign occupier. Again it is taken as an irregular out of uniform rather than a soldier. Al Quaida is the former. It exports terror to achieve an international goal, rather than fighting a foreign invader in their country. Hungarians in 1956 were the latter. They fought against Warsaw Pact forces invading their country. So what are say, Stern, Irgun, PLO and Hamas? They were/are, if one buys the Israeli narrative in the case of the first two, freedom fighters against occupation. However they used/use terrorist methods of combat, killing non-combatants and civilians as a deliberate tactic. That makes them all, and others like them, freedom fighters guilty of terrorist war crimes.

Dear, Let me salut you with Mahabalar komsu, I'm still having my house in Yeshilkoy and I'm very happy to have my Jewish neighbors living next door. As about the situation in Turkiye of today you are most welcome to find out the changes have been taken place with Erdogan in power, if the people wouldn't trust his policies they would not have given him the absolute power to rule. David Israel as a Jew you belong to the middle east and in Turkiye you surely will feel home I would say.

It is just aparments now, like anywhere in Turkey an architectural nightmare. The ruins of the open air cinema are still there (I think the one you are talking about) and you can see it if you take a taxi to the city from the airport. I grew up in Uskudar, by the sea, and Uskudar is also a nightmare now, a lot of islamists, yet still cheap to buy food and the seaside is still beautiful. You should come back to turkey instead of living in the spiritless USA.

I am not saying that Turkey will become like Saudi Arabia (the poor version of it) from today to tomorrow but there is definitely a trend to this direction in almost all aspects of life. This situation is further aggravated by many ilnesses of our so called post-modern world (consumerism, apathy, lack of objective in life other than money, loneliness of city people, horrible ignorance, defeatism of the youth, junk popular culture etc etc). If we lose secularism, it is curtains for the ME peace. It is an absolute must that we have secular system in Turkey, truely secular. We owe this danger to secularism to years of right-wing governments backed by the Americans and also of course the general backwardness of Turkey just like any other muslim country.

Just wait for the alawite regime to fail and make try to make peace with whatever replaces it. Peace for peace, not land for more Arab lies.

Your comments and people in Turkey that think like you is the reason why Germany's Merkel France's Sarkozy et are against Turkey joining EU as a full member. This s why they want a seial partership instead. But I am glad you wrote that post. Now many Turks will understand what the Arab world expects from Tukey and hat kind of a mess they would like to put Turkey into. They have never forgtton how the Turkish troops retreatng from Ymen were viciously azttacked and killed on the ay back home.

Hasan, don't be naive. In the next few months if the IMF will not bail out Turkey, it will default on its foreign debt payments. Not even all the gold in Fort Knox will save you from bankcruptsy. Like I said.. Good Luck Turkey. (and i'll bet you anything... Sultan Tayyip will blame the jews)

They talked until December '08, when the issue of returning the Golan came up. Turkey mediated those talks. Why not pick up where it was left-off. Most modern countries do that. Golan is the big issue.

Moshe Kamhi, Israels embassador in Istanbul was right now live in Haberturk TV. He is really sympathic, which does not wonder me as he comes from Turkey, and explained pretty good Israels position. I really whish there were more Israeli politicians with turkish roots.

and leave Israel alone - it doesn't have to be a mediator in this dispute.

will rise again, and will rule Europe, Middle-East and East-Asie. Not by conquest, but by trade, diplomacy and alliances. And there will be peace again between Jews and Palestinians under the rule of the Ottomans. Istanbul will be the new financial center of the world. And the Turkey will cease to exist and a new Empire will be formed with Turks, Kurds, Jews, Arabs, and al other influencial ethnicities mixed in to the state system. Every mess that Ataturk created will be erased, his statues and Idols will be destroyed. This system will be layed down from above, not G-d :-), but by international financiers. Nations and borders will cease to exist.And large empires will be formed again in each continent.

It is like the gold that Tansu Ciller found under the bed of her Mother after she passed away, right? There is a unregistered economy in Turkey that does not pay any taxes and do not contribute to the development of the nation. It is hidden not only in gold (which is only a small part) but mostly in unnamed Swiss, Caribean and Lichtenstein bank accounts. USA had many economic ups and downs but always came out stronger. Big Depression followed the big expension of the 1950ies, The malaise years of 1976-1980 followed by the expansion until 2007. And this one also is on its way to stabilize. In less than 3 years expect the USA economy to boom again.

It's true that Turks have no money in the bank, no shares in stock market, no private retirement plan, no insurance plan. But Americans do all have that, and look where they have gone too. American families money is gone, the banks failed, the shares plumeted, the riterements of the company erased with bancruptacy (Enron), insurance frauds etc... I am glad that Turks don't buy in that kind of stupid stuff. The Turks trust in gold, not in funny money :-) The Turks may live like a poor, but their women have each at least 1 kg of gold. It's all about survival and trusting no banks. The Turks wealth is hidden. Look what happens when you display your richness. You should now better, look at your history of orthodox Judaism.

cool.

I lived on Fener caddesi near the Cinar Hotel. Rone park is still around but Rex open air movie theater closed sometimes after 1977. Those were the days.

You nailed it right on the spot. I hope Erdich from Jerusalem will read your posts which are also my unfortunate feelings about Turkey of today. I hope tomorrow will be a better day. Is there still Rone Park and Rex movie theater in Yesilkoy? I used to live in Yesilyurt neigbors to Toto and Muammer Karaca in the 1960 ies right by the railroad station and sometimes played with Cem.

If Syria decided that they would only accept Turkish mediation then it would be common sense that the Syrian's would have announced their deceision to the world. Isn't it strange that Syria is silent about this while Turkish authorities are making such an announecement. It looks very strange to me. Best thing is that Israel and Syria should sit down and negotiate together without mediation. The contention between the two countries is mostly about the 10 meter strech on the coast of the lake whhich can be resolved by quiet negotiations and a little bit compromise on eaither side.

Unfortunately, with this economic conditions and AKP's continuing programs for making the Turkish society regressive Mohammedan, Turkey is on the path of being first Pakistan like country, but not stopping there, and following the path to be Afghanistan like country. Erdogan is simply using Israel as a scapegoat to hide its short comings. Good Luck Turkey

Turkey is economically bankcrupt. External debt 280 billion (public) 250 billion (private)A total of 530 billion. Unemployment rate (official)%14. (Unofficial) close to %30. Interest rate for foreign debt %18. Most of the investments are in stock market, not real development, manufacturing or service industry. Unregistered, uncontrolled transactions in the economy 70 %. When AKP got the power the external debt was around US$40bn. For 50 % who lives below the minimal life standard conditions, there is no such thing economy. What is the objective of this group is to close the day with a piece of bread on their table and praise to God, everything will be OK for tomorrow. no hopes, no expectations for the future, no money in the bank, no shares in stock market, no private retirement plan, no insurance plan, etc. They are invited to be more concerned with the issues of the heaven or the hell or covering their women's head to meet the regressive Mohammedanism's demands. Cont.

There is no doubtthat politics make strange bed fellows and Erbakan signed what he signed and yet continued his openly anti-Semitic speaches same as Erdogan is doing now. And yes there are atheist jewish people in the earth. I am one. I don't believe in any religion or a supreme being but I am ethnically Jewish. I am a scientist and believe only in science and don't follow anyone. However I do respect everyone who believe in whatever they believe as long as it is peaceful and respectful of the other.

are they honest in the story ?. Until now they've always been by israel's side using their UN veto each time it was about to save israel from any international resolution !

Yes, I agree full time peace but without the Golan Heights.......period.

Now that Turkey and Syria are bestest friends and bedfellows, Turkey is in a position of conflict of interest and is noi longer the honest broker she once was. Turkey is gaming Israel. Israelis need to let the government know No turkish mediators Either Syria has direct talks or it has no talks and can try to take Golan by force, but be prepared for Damascus to get hammered if they do

Dear, The Turkish nation has repeatedly elected AK party as their choice, AK party is equivalent to the western christian democrats, here in IL and in the west the morons link it to a Muslim rooted political movement with hidden agenda, none of this is true, seeing the positive changes Erdogan has achived the Turks are proud of their choice they have made. The Israelis can't say this about Olmert or Bibi I would say.

Israel should accept settlement with Syria on the same line of territorial disput resolution between Turkey and Syria. Turkey occupied much more larger part of Syria than Golan since 1938. Syria signed treaty with Turkey dropping this long standing demand and signed full peace treaty. This is a good precedent for Israel and Syria to make full peace.

When you say Hamas don`t bomb London, Madrid and New York therefore for you they are freedom fighters you are in fact saying that the snake that does not bite me should live forever. Does this sound like someone who cares about humanity? Or very selfish?

They have more skin in the game to be an honest broker. What's better than to have an oppressed and slaughtered people that have been in the same boat? If Turkey want to lay with the dogs, better spray for fleas.

it is very interesting isn't it. islamist leader signed with israel.Let me assure you about one thing. Everybody has own their agenda.And do NOT fool yourself with religious things.Is there any atheist jewish person on this planet?

But Al Kaida bombed NY, London, Madrid, Istanbul, Bali therefor maybe you consider them terrorists. On the other hand there are milions in Pakistan, Afghanistan etc that consider them freedom fighters. Similarly PKK that is terrorizing Turkey but not London Madrid NY to you may be a freedom fighter. The Baskque terrorists that only atatck Spain and Frence but not London also for you may be freedom fighter. But when you continue with this mantality you can never end civilians all over the world being killed by these unprincipled cowardly gangs. First we have to agree that all of these are terrorists in which I include the Kahanist extreemists of today who killed Rabin. Then we fight them all as one body.

The Golan is Israel, and it will stay. It's important for the security of the country, and it's a nice place for skiing in the winter.

Turkey has spent a decade trying to oil the troubled waters of the mideast. And it has moved a long way toward that goal. Syria trusts in the good offices of Turkey.

Turkey has land and water issues with Syria. Turkey forced Syria to give up land. Syria sponsored terrorists that attack Turkey. Since Syria has many involvements with Turkey, it can NEVER be an honest mediator. Only a country far from the area, which does not have middle eastern mentality can be.

coming to any agreement with Syria on the Golan. Countless rightist Ministers have said that Israeli control is not negotiable for security reasons. (They never say for water and Eretz Israel ones, that is the sub-text). The last thing Bibi wants is a negotiator who sees both side's points of view, he wants a pro-Israeli type who understands his prevarication and blocking tactics. The problem is, there aren't many of them left now, in fact I can't think of one outside the US State Dept. Erdogan and Turkey are well out of his little charade. Mehmet, ref Hamas the terrorists, one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. Which were Stern and Irgun? Depends which side you were on. Hamas don't bomb London, Madrid and New York, they fight the occupiers in Palestine, so that makes them freedom fighters for me - albeit unprincipled, cowardly ones who attack civilians and innocents, as per Stern and Irgun.

well said.

Erdogan is is a religious zealoy a YOBAZ as it is said in Turkey. Bibi is not. He had to make a coalition with the religious right but he is not like them. Just remember when Ecevit also had to make a coalition with the devil (oh sorry I meant Erbakan). However I too would prefer to have someone like Rabin elected.

people start to learn turkish expressions.

So even we two can have a common denominator sometimes. Strangely enough, we also agree on the fact that Ismail Cem was a great secular, gentleman Turkish politician. I still do not understand how come he supports someone from the left but anyway. For the world peace, it is critical that Turkey has a socialdemocrat and secular government because the middle-right conservatives in Turkey always converge to radical islam at the end and we see the results, always been like this, as we see from Ozal and Demirel cases. Turkey can potentially become a very good friend of israel provided that Turks elect a just and secular government and israelis elect a sound and peace-loving person like Rabin instead of someone like Bibi. Bibi and Erdogan are the wrongest tips of the spectrum, worst case scenario.

Erdogan openly supports hamas. He supports hamas, not just he considers hamas legal, he supports it. This is I think illegal according to Turkish law or should be made illegal. People who follow my entries will know that I always criticize IDF very heavily and I believe Israel is tormenting Palestinian people. But I also believe 100% that Hamas is a terror organization which causes equal torment to Palestinian people and agree with any israeli who says that whoever supports hamas cannot mediate between Syria and Israel. Hamas is terrorist, period. IDF commits war crimes, also period.

Well David, that is what you and your CHP friends never would understand. You don't think like a Turk or Kurd or like a muslim. CHP is finished, it will never be revived again. Even the Kurds hate their policies, and all the mess they created in the past coalition goverments. And you will never get it eighter. Only presume about it. It's like you are reading about chocolate without ever tasting it. Trying to understand Turkey without being a Turk, Kurd or Muslim is just like living in your OWN world with your OWN rules created by yourself.

No Ham. Once in a while, some beef. I have some beef but I get over it. Something corny clears me out! LOL!

When Syria is pressured enough, Dictator Bashar Asad will give up his demand for the Golan, like he gave up land to Turkey.

syria will only accept turkey as a mediator. fatah will only except a settlement freeze as a prelude to negotiations. do i see a pattern here? is Arab bargainning begin by affirming a precondition as a demand to talking? if so, the Israeli's and Obamaniks need an appropriate response. Bibi's was to keep building. Obama was to send Mitchell on an endless yoyo shuttle. surely there must be a way they can all meet if they really want to. do they?

If the truth hurts - tough! Turkey is an honest broker, honestly trying to exterminate the Kurds as it did the Armenians. Turkey is honest when it says speaking the Kurd language in Turkey is punishable by a MANDATORY 5 year jail sentence. And Israel better know the Turkish government is honestly trying to get the world not to see that by attacking Israel.

The FACT that Israeli tourism to Turkey has dropped from 50000 a month (Israel used to provide Turkey with 2.5% of its tourism revenue equal to approx. US$1billion/annually) to ZERO is taking effect. Interviews with Israeli travel agents indicate NO ONE is going, those that had plans had canceled them and are either touring locally or visiting friendly States. Additionally, Turkish Air, an Israeli favorite, has had to cancel all its flights for lack of passengers. Enjoy Syria. NETANYAHU HAS THE UNITED SUPPORT OF THE CITIZENS ON THIS!

...only accepting elBaradei!

Goes: KENDI KENDINE GELIN GUVEY OLUNMAZ You cannot be bride and groom all by yourself. Turkey used to be somehow neutral in the past and started some mediating activities. However starting with the invitation of Khaled Meshaal to Turkey followed by welcoming Sudan's Omar Al Bashir, the totally undiplomatic incident at Davos, the cancellation of the NATO excercise, playing a TV series like Ayrilik in government TV indicated that Turkey is a strongly biased country against Israel. Even in this article we don;t see a mention to Hamas atrocities or Gilad Shalit. One who follows the Turkish government as close as I do, will see that there has been alsways strong criticism of Isarel at the smallest incident and nothing at all when Arab side launced rockets, suicide attacks or took hostages. As I said this Turkish government cannot be a mediator, they are strongly biased. There are opther venues such as the quartet,EU, USA etc but not AKP lead Turkey

Based on recent comments and action from Turkey's leaders it disclosed it's views and therefore can not be trusted

Turkey is about as honest a broker as Bernard Madoff. No wonder Syria wants Turkey to broker the talks. They don't want impartiality.

Finally, Bibi made it. He`s got this month`s excuse to avoid peace talks..... And we`re all excited to find out, what next month`s excuse will be. But don`t worry, Bibi will not let us down, he`ll come up with something.

Annon, take your medicine. Turkey an honest broker? A mediator? You really must be from the Arab world or that state of mind where prejudice or negative views against one of the parties in a mediation doesn't preclude the mediator from mediating. That is completely unacceptable, the death knell, to any mediation process, irrespective of the protestations of the mediator. How about having the pro-Israel lobby mediating. They really want Israel to survive and will be fair. Your view is as ridiculous as my suggestion. Phillipe, large numbers of enemies and the large land mass of enemies has always been the Israeli challenge. I would hope that Turkey's recent mental illness doesn't take them over the edge. The one thing you don't talk about is the quality of military. Not to mention that Turkey's ambitions would be undermined by any adventure against Israel.

GDP: Israel 200 million, Turkey 900 million. Area: Israel 22,000 KM2 , Turkey 784,000 KM2. Population: Israel 7 million , Turkey 77 million Manpower available for military service: Israel 2.3 million , Turkey 39 million. Lesson: Don't bite more than you can chew !!

Erdogan ? The friend of Ahmadinejad ? The friend of Assad ? Wants to mediate between Israel and his "Baby" Gaza ?.....Never.....!

If the truth hurts - tough. Turkey is an honest broker - but is that the problem? It seems to me that one party have for too long had everything their own way, or at least heavily stacked in their favour. When the playing field is level fair and even, and a easy win is no longer guaranteed, foul play is cried! Turkey will mediate without showing favour or bias to either party - can't you see that? If that means one or both parties feel that they have to compromise in order to move forward - so be it - isn't that what mediated negotiation is about? Who else could you suggest who is not afraid to 'tell you like it is' and sort this issue out objectively?

Turkey as a mediator- not now. Israel may be crazy- but it is not stupid. As for the Balad MK's view, his views cannot be trusted either.