Barak warns against further harming Israel-Turkey relations

Why these crocodile tears? It is stupid West's fault that Erdogan got that powerful. We Kemalists know everything. Erdogan was supported by the the Jewish minority in Istanbul, by Western organizations and now you wonder why Turkey is pushed into radicalization and the ties break. The same was with Iran.

Whenever I watch Schindler's List or some other movie or documentary about WW2 Genocide I deeply feel sory about people who lost their life and more.. and yet I dont understand a nation who had been a victim of such a disaster not questioning themselves whats really happening in Gaza.. I mean.. What's wrong with you? The question is even you nuke all region to be secure does it make you feel secure?... Will you able to feel ever safe not because you got nuke or military.. but because you have friends.. People who dont like Israel are just antisemitics? or your attiude? your judgements annoying people? I think Israel people should question themselves... what you got to loose?... Maybe I am wrong maybe not.. Future will tell!...

No one knows the pain of losing a home, a child...the way Israelis have known for 61 plus years...and still want peace

None of us are happy with the government.Although Erdogan himself continously claim that Anti-Semitisim is a crime against humanity i believe that he is naturally a big anti-Israel. Anyway soon this government will be gone and when a new one is established,i wholeheartedly believe that our relations with Israel will be fully restored. Bye

"High time Jews tried to be more honest with everybody, especially themselves." (Shaw) Big mistake. I guess you are talking about the Israelis. High time you start to understand that THE Israelis are not THE Jews, just the same as THE Arabs/Muslims are not THE Palestinians. Not THE Jews have murdered an Israeli prime minister, but a bunch of deranged religious Israeli fanatics. And not the people of Gaza are launching rockets at Sderot, but a group of brainwashed terrorist Islamists. Israel is an independent country, a UN state member whose existence is recognized by the entire world, (except, of course Iran - who calls it 'the zionist entity'), even by the signatories of the Saudi Proposition, -- and where Jews and non-Jews are all holding the same citizenship. Israel is not an occupied country. He who says it is, sounds as moronic as those who claim that the West Bank is part of Israel and Jordan is Palestine.

The Peole of Gaza did NOT send rockets, (homemade things) into "israel". They sent their toy rockets into OCCUPIED territory, their own country. High time Jews tried to be more honest with everybody,l especially themselves. It would do them so much good to examine themselves.

There is some truth in your stance: "The entire debate is [too] 'Jew focused'." Let us rather talk about Israelis. Like these ones: " [...] We, who know that the Territories are not part of Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated, We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements. We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people." www.seruv.org.il/english/combatants_letter.asp And this one too: "The war's seventh day, which began on June 12, 1967, and has continued TO THIS DAY, is the product our choice. We enthusiastically chose to become a colonial society, ignoring international treaties, expropriating lands, transferring settlers from Israel to the occupied territories, engaging in theft and finding justification for all these activities." in "The war's seventh day", Haaretz March 3, 2002, by Michael Ben-Yair, former Attorney General of Israel (1993-1996). www.seruv.org.il/english/article.asp?msgid=77&type=article

guided missiles, bombs,tank shells,phosphorus, bullets etc. Fired from flying drones,helicopter gun ships, tanks and jets. Firing at people under seige with no way to escape. Why is pointing this out some how anti Israel rhettoric when the talk backers that support it are quite proud of the all powerful IDF. Is the ugly truth now, only reduced to RHETTORIC?.....Peace Ever?

"But then there is nothing easier for you and Israel to prove me wrong by getting out of the West Bank, and allowing a viable Palestinian state to exist there." have you already forgotten 1967 or the month that preceded the 6 day war? Or the war of independence?...

Weel Ahent your comments clearly demand it! So let's not talk about the Armenians but about the Kurds who are being oppressed and killed to this day by Turkey (not 1915) but today. A much more severe Problem then the Palestinian question -many more dead - many more people involved and suppressed!

Turkey's decision is completely understandable. The Gaza operation was Omert's political miscalculation and jeopardised Israel's relations with the rest of the world basically. First and foremost, Israel must aplogise for all the suffering Gaza people were forced to withstand and then they must participate in rebuilding of the city and help people to normalise their life there.

Barak is a loyal toady of Bibi Netanyahu. Netanyahu has a simple position. The extreme right of Israel rules. The world can screw off. Nothing but the expansion of Settlements until all Arabs are eliminated from Greater Israel is acceptable. Bibi Netanyahu has NEVER been modest about his goals. And I have not misrepresented them. The goal of Netanyahu and Lieberman - and Ehud Barak, is simple. The elimination of ALL Arabs within Greater Israel. And any but the must gullible of fools understands that with the capitulation of Barak Obama, that goal has been achieved.

you mean istanbul was always an ottoman-turkish capital? it's so funny how turkey or what is known as the remnants of the ottoman empire never accepts its own responsibility for its historical wrongs. i mean obviously the armenian massacre is the big one, but why hide the fact that the only reason the palestinians and the arabs revolted against the ottoman regime and side with the british was because of the brutal ottoman rule over the arabs. the ottomans wanted to turkicize the arabs and the arabs had their own aspirations for freedom. quit acting like all your actions were justified. why don't you also mention how you shut down palestinian arab newspapers like filastin, al karmil and other ones in the early 20th century at the request of zionists? you folks have an identity crisis and are two faced.

"Don`t question OUR love for Israel from your desk in CALIFORNIA!" Ok Ok American in NY we won't question your love for Israel,we will rather question your level of spineless hypocrysy. Funny to see a mad man who compares Gaza to Warsaw ghetto playing a Jew exuberating with love for Israel. Remember? "Like it is # 82 There may not be a comparison. Not if you are Jew.Some comparisons are valid. I am not tarnished or exonerated by comparison of either situation. Whether you agree or not there are similarities. No one, if they are reasonably human could read any account of Warsaw and not sympathize with the Warsaw defenders. It would be unrealistic to be sympathetic to only one people as you are. Either the inhumanity and cruelty of both situations disturb you or it doesn`t. If it disturbs you only because the inhumanity is to your kin then of course, there is no comparison." http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1119788.html So now you are Jew,American in NY?

The "community of nations" into which you are willing to welcome Israel if it mends its ways have too much blood on their hands for you to take the attitude you do. For starters, take a look at Ben Kiernan's massive and to date the most inclusive study, Blood and Soil: A World History of Genocide and Extermination from Sparta to Darfur (Yale University Press); Kiernan founded and directs the Genocide Studies Program at Yale. The fact that Israel is not included (by an objective historian) in this hall of shame of genocidal nations, whereas so many even among the democracies are, should give you some idea right off the bat how warped your perspective is; community of genocidal nations is more like it, in which Israel is less the executioner than so many of the other members by any objective measure. By the way, it is a fundamental principle of inernational law that it has no legitimacy if it is not applied impartially and equally to all states.

Turkeys top priorities in this region. 1-U.S 2-Russia If u.s. says cancel it. Turkey cancels. Why israelis cant see this.For Turkey, Israel = U.S. If u.s says operate with israel. Turkey operates. no nations likes each others.

Republic, when Iran gets curved up into a number of nations now subdued and held together by clerical islamist tyrants. One of th new nations to taste freedom and independence would be Kurdistan, a large state spanning from within Turkey, over Iraq and into Iranian Kurdistan. Turkey, not much different from the Arabs, always took to side with the losing side in history.

For all those who bash the UN, EU, Sweden, Turkey, and anyone else who comes out against Israel...maybe its time to look INWARD to see where the problem really lies.

its logical,do you think he is going against his own people...thats rediculous.

The signs have been clear for a long time. With the rising power of Iran, and the US showing signs of wishing an understanding with Iran - Turkey as a key player needs no consent from Israel to have its say. Turkey is ready to jettison its Israeli baggage to improve its ties with its neighbors.

"The Talmudic teachings are extreme esp the "kill all goyim" portions. " Wow, they have something called the Talmud on your planet too? The one here says nothing about killing all goyim. For how long have you been completely out to lunch?

The entire debate is ?Jew focused?. Whether it?s the freewheeling vile coming from Axel about Jews being megalomaniacs and arrogant (just in the past day) to past comments from him that we are ?filthy? people. Not to mention the other daily comments from BBSNews, American in NY and others about ?land grabbing Jews, greedy Jews, thieves, blackmailers, conspirators, criminals, thugs, etc. etc. That so much attention is bestowed on such a small and inconsequential minority of people (12-14 million in a sea of 7 billion) speaks volumes about the mind set and intentions. Those of us who grew up as Jews in a hostile world recognize all the key nuances of hatred toward us.. An old Indian (American) proverb: Avoid the danger before it befalls you.

independent, winning, successful Jew makes the world sick* Actually, not many people deal in that kind of racial stereotype these days, leastways outside of Israel. 'Proud' and 'winning' are not always the most engaging character traits. If what you mean is a proud, strong, independent, winning, successful ISRAEL, fair enough - as long as it is also a just society that obeys international law, that does not invade its neighbours, covet their lands, commit war crimes, seize territory, hog the scarce water, oppress other races and despise non-Jews in general and Arabs in particular. If so, welcome to the community of nations - when Israel's deeds start to match up to the fine words.

Unbeknownst to you AMERICAN Jews, there ARE Israelis who are pragmatists. Don't question OUR love for Israel from your desk in CALIFORNIA!

"WHO KNOWS..?. I am one of those that are willing to take the risk to try and find out the answer to that question.There is one problem with some people,you?they don't need an excuses from the Palestinians,and when they will attack and Israel will retaliate,Israel will find herself in the same situation as the current one but without the WB.But even that is what i believe will happen,it is worth trying,for my childrens. BTW,the Palestinians enjoy the benefit even if there is no doubt.

It's the Arab countries that have to take the first step a la Sadat. Israel was the victim of three major wars, sustained terrorism and sustained threats (latest and greatest from Iran). That we are frightened is no secret. Let the Arab countries show genuine interest in peace by establishing relationships with Israel with the understanding that these relationship will continue if Israel gives up the West Bank and the Golan and allow the Palestinians to establish a country of their own. Just as important, they also must curb their daily Mosque and newspaper diatribes against the JEWS so that a new generation of Arabs will grow up without racism and its vile consequences.

It is correct that Turkey intervened when after the Nikos Sampson takeover of the Island. However after that Turkey has been illegally occupying northern Turkey not allowing the inhabitants of Magosa to return while the city has been a ghost town since 1974. You bash Israel for about 1000 deaths that occurred during the cast lead operation in Gaza. But you forget that during the 1974 Cyprus intervention tens of thousands Cypriot Greeks were lost and recently mass graves were found of Greek soldiers as well as an unmarked grave belonging to a civilian family in the Laphitos region. Clearly crimes against humanity. You se my friend war is hell and even when you are defending yourself you end up hurting innocent civilians. This is true for Israel, Turkey USA and all parties that are in war. Ther is no such thing as a clean war. Especially when your enemy does not wear a uniform and hide among the civilians like Hamas.

You know...Turkey might be a muslim nation in response to #73, but the United States is a Jewish/Christian republic. The USA is not a democracy, but a republic. I am happy to report my country has enourmous vast stores of oil, gas, coal, and everything else we'll ever need. To Arab world? If the USA wants to take out Iran's nuclear plans..WE WILL do it without worries.

I only can say that you are very much ignorant about the situation of the palestinians in the WB.

The Greeks would have slaughtered you if it was not for Turkish intervention. Similarly to you, we Israelis refuse to be slaughtered or exiled again and have to face a world that has been hostile to us for over 2,000 years, the consequences of which we are all familiar with. Posters here belittle us when we claim that many remarks and accusations against us are prejudicial and are the result of anti-semitism, when all they have to do is look at Axel from Germany's remarks in the past one day only in which he called the Jews "megalomaniacs" and "arrogant" and some time ago "filthy". Not to mention BBSNews who has made similar veiled remarks. And the list goes on.... Regards

Have you chucked your Talmud? You've got chutzpah talking about somebody else's regression while holding fast to the Talmud and its golden calf. Folks living in glass houses should never throw stones. The Talmudic teachings are extreme esp the "kill all goyim" portions. Did you think folks didn't notice? Stop whining. You guys are pariahs. Tea?

What you are saying was 70 years ago. Today it is Hamas still doing it.

Israel accepted the Clinton parameters in 2001 approving the creation of a Palestinian Arab state in all of Gaza 96% of contiguous WB + Israeli land to compensate the 4% with the capital in East Jerusalem. The Knesset approved the proposal but Arafat refused it. President Clinton the one USA president who extended his hand the closest to Arafat later told him that he was a failure and Arafat was responsible for it by refusing thsi historic opportunity. Israel made the first step many times in the past. Egypt and Jordan responded positively others still do not. This are facts as Bill Clinton wrote in his memoirs MY LIFE. I believe I now proved you wrong. Now there is ZERO excuse at least for you to continue attacking Israel as being oppressor.

GUYS ! I AM WARMING UP GIVE ME TIME.

....if he still keeps on hammering you, although you are no longer messing with him. Or if you know that he would still keep on hammering you, even if you stopped messing with him. And that is exactly the position of right-wing Israel/Diaspora today: No viable Palestinian state, no compromise on the core issues of the conflict, even if the Arabs would start behaving like sheep from tomorrow on. And that makes him/her indeed to a rather big problem.... ....and that not only for the Arab world.

....with an oppressive "non-Jew". For example I try to avoid products made in China whenever possible (not that easy nowadays...). With regard to the "tone" of my post: I was only responding to the "tone" set by Michael in his post # 127 to me..... ....where he was using a "Jew-focused" language. Usually not my style....

Look, maybe you are right, and I am wrong. Maybe a majority of the Palestinians (or Arabs in general) won't be willing to accept a state of Israel in the borders of 67. Who knows...??? But then there is nothing easier for you and Israel to prove me wrong by getting out of the West Bank, and allowing a viable Palestinian state to exist there. If that has happened, there will be ZERO excuses left for any Palestinian or Arab to attack any Israeli citizen. But Israel has to make the first step in order to prove the world that we were wrong, and they were right.... ....until that has happened, the Arabs will continue to enjoy the benefit of a doubt. And I would say rightly so.

I appreciate your response, but still see the contradiction between YOUR view (Turkey endearing itself to Europe) and others (Turkey alienating itself from Europe). Perhaps your arguments should be exchanged with those who take the latter view.

Israel never trained PKK terrorist. In fact they did the opposite. Israel helped in capturing Abdullah Ocalan with intelligence. Israel also helped Turkish military in the fight against PKK by providing Heron aircraft and Israeli personnel to operate them until Turkish personnel was trained. You are from Izmir the last bastion of modern Ataturk's Turkey. You should be modern and progressive and a shining light to the rest of Turkey. Stop believing in all these PR coming from Islamists and seek the truth. Israel is a natural ally of modern Turkey since they both fight the same type terrorist enemies.

Cyprus talks are still going on.But in case u didnt know, Turkey intervened when greeks attacked turks because they had a policy called enosis, which means to erase all turks from the island. Under the treaty of guarantee 1959, Turkey Greece and UK were given right to intervene whenever their respective minorities were ever threatened. Turks were slaughtered by the way, and displaced too. But there is no constant brutality as we see in occupied territories today. And south cyprus has enjoyed economic prosperity.As for Armenians in Turkey, there may be isolated incidents, that happens everywhere doesnt it? The aborigines in Australia? Abu Guraib? gay bashings still happen in europe doesnt it? But in Israel it happens on daily basis and whenever there is a military operation,thousands always end up dead and wounded, mainly civilian.then u go and say Hamas hid behind civilians, the easiest way to justify.

Turkey was on it's way to becoming a modern nation but has gone backwards instead reverting to Islamic law and war. Israel is one of Turkey's most valuable ally as Turkey is a historical enemy to Arabs and Persians. It's Turkey's loss if Israel grows tired of Turkey's Islamic regression.

look in the mirror and laugh all you want. i see that you did not comment on the substance. i realise that doing so would be hypocritical at best.

People's reaction to this news is mostly irrational. For example, some offer recognizing Armenian Genocide. If Israel accepts it, such a childish reaction clearly shows that Israel indeed does not care about the genocide. Next point, Turkey, as I remember, tried to help Israel and Syria start peace talks last year. Would it have been better or worse for Israelis, if Syria and Israel finally had reached a peace agreement? As for Kurds in Turkey, current Turkish government has a determination to end the suppression on Kurds. Ironically, Israel had long been sold weapons to Turkish army which help them commit crimes against Kurds. The pro-Israel governments in Turkey had always ignored Kurds and committed crimes against them. So it would also be a contradiction if Israel supports Kurdish rebels. My last point is that nationalism in Israel is not beneficial for Israelis . Criticizing Israel does not mean an anger towards Israeli people. (i reached the word limit so i stop, shalom)

but they are more clever than iSRAEL The french are back in military NATO and the turks are on the spot, what they did 200 years before. And they do not miss an opportunity to sell there story. The polls in Austtria 80 % against turks in the EU Maybe the austrian a little bit more realistic.

"Aren`t the following also a form oppression?"DI "Bombing cafes where people stop for a bagel in their work break or ladies stop by for a chat while walking their babies in their strollers?"di Irgun and Lehi did it. "Bombing the city commuter buses where civilians go to their daily work, children to school sick people to doctors"DI Irgun and Lehi did it. They also threw bombs into Markets where Arabs and Jews shopped to feed their families amongst other forms of oppression. Some of them are still alive---wanna include them David Israel.

Israel isn't talking to Britain because of our approval of The Goldstone Report remember?

Mr.Katz, Cyprus: It was an 'intervention' not an 'occupation'. We, Turkish Cypriots did not want to be a part of Greece, we refused to be killed or to be sent out of the Island w/ a one way passport. We invited Turkey to come and help us save our lives. Thus, what Greeks managed to do in Crete did not take place in Cyprus. Today, we open our arms to many Israeli businessmen in North Cyprus and we work with our Israeli partners in a great harmony. Today's situation with Turkey will be solved at a diplomatic level and soon be forgotten. Ease your anger ... :-) Cheers My Friend, Turkish Cypriot.

"turkey will have to decide whether it wants to live in the middle ages or in the twenty first century." It is really laughable when Israelis whose only knowledge and interest in Turkey is confined to its relationship with Israel offer such pompous statements about 'historical crossroads' for Turkey ...

You certainly like to hop around the Talkback Axel. I guess you really care. Not so much. "This contradiction shows just how desperate you pro-Zionists are...without any substance." - Axel OVERALL the Turks are maneuvering for EU admission, and Israel is being used to further that goal. Turkey gets to show how "moral" they are (compared to those depraved Jews). Big points in Europe for this one. The European people that would be alienated from this would be you guessed it, the European Jews and people of conscience. A shared hatred of jews, a shared history of massive genocide, and false moral outrage (that has compromised both European and Turkish mental health) are shared commonalities that can be used to build that bridge between your peoples. You deserve each other. Sorry I couldn't come up with more substance. Facts and figures are more appropriate for designing cars, or building commercial ovens Axel.

"ultimately we will think erdogan for putting-us-in-our-place." only a total fool, or else a muslim, would side with erdogan against israel.

you are most certainly entitled to keep your faith and honour, as long as you let us keep our faith and honour. mutual respect recognises that sovereign states have the right to self defence from foreign aggression.

I am sure that he will sort them out.

interests. Allies are fickle. Peace treaties are mere pieces of paper. The Arab and Muslim world's leaders can and do walk away from their obligations at the drop of a hat and have no intrinsic concern for Israel. 30 years after Begin and Sadat, and today, the Egyptian government fosters a sham conspiracy theory that the Jews were out to get Egypt by blocking their UNESCO nominee. No mention of Egypt's own hatred. Turkey takes an alliance of 20 years and dumps it in favor of HAMAS and Ahmadinejad's Iran. But we're supposed to trust in the so-called Arab peace plan of Abdullah. Meanwhile, the Iranian despot denies the Shoah and the world nods in approval or acquiesence. But Israel dare defend itself, and its tactics are labelled akin to the Nazi's. We've seen this show before.

secular turkey has become a pipe dream. turkey sees itself increasingly as defined by islam, as opposed to any secular values. turkey has been of late a reluctant member of nato. the islamist government's sympathies are not with the western alliance. one day, turkey will have to decide whether it wants to live in the middle ages or in the twenty first century. turkey will have to choose between modernism and obscurantism--between development and backwardness.

"....have no problem at all with a proud, strong, winning, successful Jew. I only have a problem with an "oppressive Jew"," So, the successful Jew is okay, until you mess with him. Then, if you start a fight with him and he fights back, that's the type of Jew you have a problem with.

it was a monumental mistake for israel to use turkey as an intermidiary in so-called peace talks with syria. failure of such talks would be felt by erdogan as a humiliation. it was equally a mistake for peres to agree to a debate with erdogan about operation cast lead. peres, naturally was angered, and erdogan once again felt humiliated. israel should keep in mind that muslims, whenever they are opposed openly, feel "humiliated." their entire culture is based on what they consider "honour."

they didn't trust the American and Israeli govt. which they thought was supporting Kurdistan. However, now that Turkey and the Kurds are reconciling, there is hope that Turkey no longer has to be afraid of the Kurds, USA and Israel. Turkey's reconciliation with the Kurds is being done with reconciliation with Armenia; both related in ways. The Kurdish problem should not be in the way. Gaza, however, and the Palestinians needs mediators; I think Turkey is o.k. Eventually, who knows, that will be reconciled also.

.. and their only hope for a better situation, called Abu Mazen, has been significantly weakened by the american and israeli administrations in regard to and with the Goldstone-report-affaire.

Turkey taught its first class on "discrimination" to Turkish schoolchildren and Abe Foxman was there to congratulate Erdogan a couple of weeks ago. I read the article in a Turkish newspaper. Turkey is going ahead step by step in its democratization program to treat minorities well. Teaching about discrimination was part of it. I am sorry about the rift between Abe Foxman and the Armenians in Boston. He and the Jews suffered a little in Turkey when they discussed the Armenian genocide; ultranationalists are still a danger there. Aznavour asked the diaspora to accept what the Armenian govt. wants in Armenia; I think together with Turkey they can solve their problems. I am really optimistic that it is right to keep these relations and that things will go well.

Come on...26 million Tourist visited Turkey in 2008.Turkey is the one of the top ten countries in the world. 300.000 Israelis visited the Turkey.If Israelis dont come to Turkey,that wont effect the Tourism.These are all the right policies. We wont damage the relations.I love the jews.TUrkey has responsibility in the region from the Ottoman Empire.Think again.What does the Israeli Government do,when Turkey bomb the Jews in somewhere???

You know,some years ago your ADL(Anti-defamation league) gave prize to Erdogan.During the his first years,there is no problem like this between two countries. We watched on tv's the Israeli Army trained the Pkk militans.Than the Turkish policy has changed dramatically and now we are watching during the all days how Israelis kill the palestinian children and bomb the schools in Gaza.I ask you.How can be the relations in this situation?

They di9d not reach an agreement. They just signed a protocol wher Turkey promised that in th efuture they will open the Armenian border. However even the signing of the protocol almost did not happen. Hillary Clinton had a very hard time to get it signed since this is seen as an issue of prestige for the Obama administration. So far Turkey maintains its position that it will only open the border after the Karabagh issue with Azerbaijan is resolved which makes the protocol a meaningless peace of paper which will never be executed.

I think,these are all about the "right policies" for both countries.I am Turk and I never hate the Jews.and I think the most of Turks dont hate the Jews.But Don't forget there are so many Palestians in here and they use the "religion" to effect the Turks. The Tv Channels show how you kill the children and women during the all day. Finaly I think these are all about the right policies.

Thank you. So....I take it you do not have a "problem" with an "oppressive" non Jew? You do not need to respond if you feel this is too personal a question.

Israel needs no relations with other countries or world organizations. How fortunate. Because as long as you have this group of fools running your government, you aren't going to have any. All of the terrorists and anti-semites out there should send thank-you cards to Likud.

Aren't the following also a form oppression? Launching rockets deliberately into civilian villages where children go to schools like Sderot? Bombing cafes where people stop for a bagel in their work break or ladies stop by for a chat while walking their babies in their strollers? Bombing the city commuter buses where civilians go to their daily work, children to school sick people to doctors bombing night clubs or wedding halls like the one in Netanya where people are celebrating the union of a young couple These are not the only oppressive actions of the Hamas perpetrated against Israelis. They also oppress their own people when they shoot those Arabs who oppose their views in the knee. Well I (as wel as most Israelis and Jews) have no problem with a peaceful Arab state in the WB and Gaza side by side with a Jewish state but I have a lot of problems with the oppressive Hamas.

Israel, time and again in its history has said to countries that hate it..."we wont take you literally...you dont mean it."......old yiddish saying...."if you play with cats don't complain if you get scratched."

Two days ago, the Turks and Armenians signed an agreement re-establishing diplomatic relations. They not only have tried but have established a mutually recognized diplomatic path to dealing with past wrongs. There remain issues to be dealt with, but this just highlights Israeli intransigence even more. Meanwhile, Israel lies and throws tantrums, doing everything it can to delay or prevent peace, refusing to recognize that the Palestinians have any rights at all. The world must intervene with Israel because, unlike Turkey, it's making no effort to deal with the issues itself. All of the Zionist Apologists, who apparently pay little attention to atrocities and conflicts they talk so much about, need to find something else to whine about. It's nonsense to say that Israel can engage in war crimes because Turkey did it, but it's even more ludicrous when the Turks and Armenians are working together while Israel continue to occupy Palestine.

Having seen both of these gentlemen in action, I firmly believe that Mr Barak is the best choice for Israel in order to accomplish some form of peace. He exhibits an understanding of the fact that sometimes you must stand with those with whom you do not completely agree in order to accomplish your nation's goals. I believe he would be well received in Russia, China and the US also. I can't wait for the "no confidence vote" in order to get Mr Netanyahu out of there. The world has changed and Mr. Barak realizes this. Shalom to all who love peace.

....have no problem at all with a proud, strong, winning, successful Jew. I only have a problem with an "oppressive Jew", who can't accept that other people also have dreams and rights.....

"Next time don't shoot at the crews hiden behind civilians." (Alain) Next time, don't offer an occupied territory to the worst of our enemies - for free, disguising it as a peace move.

Of all the countries that criticize us, whose closet is free of any skeleton? Who has hands clean enough to dare judge us? The perennial excuse of the scoundrels. I bet 'alan the real one' believes that Slovodan Milosevic should have been allowed to go free.

of Haaretz goes "Iton le anashim hoshvim" (A daily for thinking people)that the readers would justify the slogan..but no! The talkbackers, specially all those Israel's detractors, show an abysmal ignorance of history, reality and the true facts; a lack of common sense and analytical skills and above all a blatant lack of honesty. The Arab-Israeli conflict is the excuse, sickening congenital hatred of the Jews in general is for sure the real reason!

Well deserved - and under Netanyahu here will be more to come.Advice: Think of the "day after" before you act. David

ahmet if you must post get hold of fact and history. because youre posting absolute nonsense ! turkey invaded cyprus and didnt leave killed and dispossesd greek cypriots . armenia is a fact read the contemporary reports !

Now is the perfect time to fire Avigdor Lieberman. I realize that he is only partially responsible for the fracas with Turkey. However the rest of the Middle East hates him ... and Turkey would be very appreciative of Netanyahu & Barak handing her as penance Lieberman's head (in the finest Ottoman tradition). Netanyahu soon enough will feel the wrath of Israeli's Russians once Lieberman's corruption is exposed and he is forced to fire him then. Israel however will draw an immediate benefit if Netanyahu blames this fiasco solely upon him and fires Lieberman now.

"Ultimately we will thank Erdogan for putting-us-in-our-place" Ultimately, you come off as less and less of an Israeli and more of a blatant anti-Israeli making a poor attempt at a masquerade.

Why is that so difficult for Israel to understand? No one else in the world would have allowed land theft to carry on that long. That is why we in Australia have stopped the mass killings of the Aborigines. Instead, we now have stimulated our economy by building large prisons, incarcerating all the Aborigines that refuse to surrender their lands to God's chosen Anglo Christians, and wait for them to die an unnatural death. Then, we take theor land and give it to a good God fearing Christian, who will just happen to be an Anglo. I cannot understand why the Hebes don't appreciate that?

Turkia refuses to participate in a military drill against possible Iran missiles aggression . So P.M. Recep Tayyip Erdogan islamist gov't fabricate excuse to blame Israel of 'genocide' over Israel counter terrorism Cast Lead operation . If Turkia wants no part in such a drill then why Turkia oppose international community sanctions against Iran nukes . Why P.M. Recep Tayyip Erdogan islamist gov't deviate from the Western consensus by inviting Sudan's President, Omer Hassan al-Bashir, charged with war crimes and genocide in Darfur. Turkia P.M. Recep Tayyip Erdogan islamist gov't rather want bloody friends as Ahmedinajad and Omer Hassan al-Bashir, and Hamas .

Yes there are Armenians being humiliated in Istanbul. Last year while the police was dispersing a riot they came near a sidewalk restaurant. An Armenian men having lunch was questioned about the rioters when discovered the men was Armenian he was badly beaten. (SOURCE: HURRIYET) When I started my mandatory military service at Gaziemir Ulastirma military school some NCOs constantly made humiliating jokes about my name. However I must also say that the general in charge was all against that. Just two examples out of many. And not to mention the torture chambers used to torture Kurdish rebels such as FALAKA and electrical devices all documented in the Turkish press.

For the sake of relations with the Islamists of Turkey, who daily murder Kurd civilians using US made jets and bombs, we should abandon our defense of the civilians in the Negev. Tryly explains why the left in Israel are on life support.

I think they see an opportunity to improve their economy in Turkey. It is an emerging market, so there are many problems there now. We did establish relations with China, although there are many problems to work on. I think that reconcilation with Armenia is one step on the way to economic opportunity. It was interesting to read the comments on Armenia-Turkey on other websites, some happy, some unhappy, some bitter, some grudgingly working towards reconciliation with Kurds, etc. One worried about having an expert who accepts the Armenian genocide on the history commission. Some say Turkey made concessions; some say Armenia made concessions. I remember when we first year we did business with China in our law office: the first year the Chinese wore Mao suits, the next year, they all wore the same green suit, and the next year they wore american business clothes. They kept us from doing business there that we hoped to make; things progress slowly along a path.

In the seventies, US has flown money in Turkey to prosecute whoever was leftist. US then organized the 1980 coup which initiated the first seeds of the islamization especially in the civil sector. US then supported Ozal and Tansu Ciller who caused further deterioration an islmization of the country (these politicians themselves were not islamist but they played on the easy religion card for more votes). Just like US helped the Mujahadeen against the Soviets (to shine shoes of the weapon producers and anti-soviet money bosses) and now they are sepnding billions to get rid of them. All this because of a few imbecils who try to remain rich.

If you had only known what really happened in Zurich last week.... Please ask Hillary Clinton what she had to go through to have that kockamamiey protocol (NOt an agreement) signed. Both countries recognize each other for a long time but they do not have any relations since teh Karabagh issue. The borders are closed. The protocol is about opening the borders but PM Erdogan said that until the Karabagh issue is resolves the border will never open. Just a piece of paper that the USA and EU wanted for prestige and it is signed. Nothing will change for a long while.

Yes Turkey is not what it used to be UNFORTUNATELY. I remember the Turkey where I was born and raised in 1950 ies and 1960ies. It was a country in the path Ataturk had put becoming a modern secular republic. Today while Saudi Arabia is slowly changing into modernity (A new university in Saudi Arabia now allows women and men together and without wearing the niqab, opposing cleric was arrested) Turkey is going back to middle ages. HERKES GIDER MERSINE BIZ GIDERIZ TERSINE perfect Turkish saying to describe RT Erdogan's Turkey.

I as an Israeli also have problems with our politicians but not for the same reasons. While you would like to see our politicians and Israel give in to Arab, the EU, the UN, US etc. demands. I dispise Israel's politicians for lacking what it needs to defend Israel's just case, confront international community for its hypocrisy. The problem Mr. Dino is that the world has decided that there is no place for a Jewish state. The sight of a proud, strong independent, winning, successful Jew make the world sick!

Hamas is an hundred percent terrorist organization and should be punished to the extreme (just like some, not all but some, people in the idf who acted just like hamas butchers over and over again. Erdogan's protests are based on the religion, mines are not. I am an aetheist and I do not consider Palestinians as an oppressed muslim people, I just consider them as oppressed people. And I do not think we should help the oppressors by opening up our airspace for them to train to kill more kids. Israel in fifties was a just country and fought heorically, not like cowards as they do today. Israel was a country where kibbutzim flourished and there was no income gap, today all they think is money and greed, just like everywhere else. In Israel you created a monster generation who has nothing to do with the sophisticated and humane people of the past.

Omar El Bashir the leader of Sudan is not welcome around the world for committing crimes against humanity in the Darfur region. He was welcomed and given the red carpet treatment by President Gul, PM Erdogan and the AKP. In Darfur hundreds of thousands of people were killed, their UN donated food stolen children left to die from hunger and misery while in Gaza about one thousand were dead and it was an operation after a thousand qassams were launched to Sderot killing Israeli children like Dorit Benisian. After giving such a warm reception to the genocidal leader of Sudan can one take Turkey seriously about its criticism of Gaza? And let's not forget that Turkish military is fighting the PKK just like Israel is fighting Hamas. The only difference is that Hamas hides behind civilian population while PKK hides in isolated mountains.

If any idiot screws up relations with Turkey they should be banished to Mt. Everest. There is no relationship more important to regional peace. Counterweight to Iran and Syria and window on Europe; holder of the Attaturk Dam. Listen to Barak on this blokes: he knows what he's talking about.

Stop grovelling at the Turks. Enough.

Do not care other Turk's provocative mails. They all are in minority and fanatic supporters of Governor's. All are them from same partisan of a fundamental religious order. And keeps secret Israelis opposition outside in US specially.

Most of u, anti-Israel sympathizers, would resist and likely should resist being called antisemites. Effectively though , u r. Dont u understand that the Arabs with huge majorities in the UN and plenty of dough are committed to a propoganda war because they r failures in every other form of competition with Israel? Surely most of u understand this. If not , why dont u think about it. Could Israel have allowed suicide bombers? Could Israel have allowed indiscriminate shelling of its South? What world do u guys live? What's wrong with walls or limited punitive defensive warfare?

Please, what is the definition of "genocide"? Can a legal military retaliation operation against an aggressive terrorist regime in which several hundreds terrorist were killed as well as another few hundreds regretable collateral civilian victims be called a "genocide"? You Mr. Armenian insult the memory of over one million of Armenians victims of Turkish mass killings. Keep you senses and proportions!

You happened to be right that there's too much noise about the events of the WWI, but have you forgotten that your country is occupying Northern Cypress right now?

Why not let NATO decide who they want? instead of you setting them straight from Tucson as to who they should or should not excersize with? Perhaps they have almost as much insight into what is militarily good for them as you do.? Peter SM Obviously they had. Turkey has been a NATO member since 1942 and fought in Korea that year with America. Turkey has been a key member of NATO during the cold war only partly because of its strategic location. . Turkey is a still an important NATO member. Israel has nothing to offer that begins to compare to what Turkey contributes to the NATO alliance. Israel would be a liability to NATO politically, and has no strategic value nor contribute to America?s or Europe?s security in any way. That is why Israel has not been accepted into NATO.

we do not want Israel in the EU-- we do not want Israel doing any kind of business with the EU---OUR EU. When Israel end,s it,s war mongering escapades and civilises itself for circa the same time it has been an occupier---40+ years we may---I repeat ---may wish to do business again. big may-- So why dont you tell us all the way from daan unde what you think is Good for us. You are aware that apart from the USA-cANADA AND iCELAND--NATO IS ALL EUROPEAN STATES.

Gaza war was REPLY to thousands of Qassams- Peter SM And the Qassams were in reply to 40 years of occupation and oppression in an open air prison. Gosh that was easy.

Dear Friends, FOA you know many Jews live in TR.As citizens we don't support some actions of governor's decisions about Israeli. And warned many times in different matters (IAF flights cancelling etc). Do not blame us. Please do not blame us as citizens.Instead of discussion of Armenian card, help us to change!

that silver tounged peres already took care of that by his rude arrogant behavior to Erdogan....and that after the cast lead massacre....none of you people has a clue

Turkey just denied it had political reasons for canceling the drill. However, as regards Turkey-Armenia, I am posting a statement from Charles Aznavour who is a foreign ambassador for Armenia in Switzerland. Charles Aznavour issued a statement re: Turkey-Armenia reconciliation and I agree with him: "'It is clear that this process does not mean to forget the past and to question the fact and the importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian leaders with the sense of high responsibility for the future of the motherland and coming generations, act today with wisdom and courage for the establishment of the relations between the two countries and the opening of borders without any preconditions. We support the policy adopted by the Armenian authorities by urging all our compatriots in Armenia and the Diaspora to assist this process in all possible ways,? the group said in an open letter addressed to the Armenian diaspora."

The HUN has spoken,he want us to know he has a heart.

most poster here can imagine. Nato - "subdivisions" started in 1993 - 1995 So called dialouges and initiatives. Baltic dialogue runnbed by the swiss, Gaming ru7nned by the austrians and mediterranean dialogues strongly featured by Italy and Turkey. After a period of time Israel joined it and was for many years a useful member. (Even the umbrella organization resisted to give Israel a place) Turkey was all the years a reliable and promoting partner (there is no US del. directly involved) Ehud Barack is right you have to handle this careful and sensible. 15 EU Nations and 12 non EU Nations. A lot to do defendi9ng the position in some ways.

Under its Islamist-Jihadist government Turkey has become irrelevant.

My words are to every Israeli who writin negative about Turkiye Europeans and Americans,when something happen from AKP aganist my national ID interests but same time if it was supporting your interests AKP was democracy HERO right but when they cancel an exercise omg Turkiye did that omg Turkiye and Armenians omg Kurds blah blah blah.Today can i ask which country rebuilding Iraq especially Northern Iraq Turkish Republic Which country seriously supporting there with economy goods etc Turkish Republic To who showing Armenian card i seriously support you accept this too even we can escape thinking that every April even Armenian Diaspora can lose their biggest propaganda way.Lets see who gonna win at both side.

... AND DOING OUR DIRTY WORKS.

It's not surprising that gratuitous remarks favoring Obama come from residents in "tinsel town". Obama can't even manage a decision on what type of dog he wants for the white house.

The way the goverment behave in Israel the people of Israel wont have much place to go in vacation eccept their back yard.... Is all up to them. The world watching and getting fed up. Stop the occupation and get back on 2 state solution! 60 years of occupation is anough!!

I agree 100%!

The 'loss' of Turkey to Islamism is a great tragedy for the Turks.

hummm is it what Israel does to arab?

Here we go again crying antisemitic dont you think the world is getting tired to hear ?? give it a break if you disagree with Israel policy we are antisemetic, then I guess I am too because i disagree with your goverment and I am a proud american!

Any civilized society must be able to control their populace otherwise you will have what you have in Gaza, mob rule.In you twisted way of thinking,you forget that the authorities in Gaza know who your so called 'few individuals' are but support them in every way possible. There can never be peace between any two nations if one preaches and indoctrinates hate and who's religion supports the killing of their enemies men, women and children because they do not follow their religion.Sic..........

... MAYBE ONLY POOR ISRAELIS HAVE A PLACE IN MY HEART. AND IT IS WHEN I AM DRUNK. DRUNK WITH ALCAHOL. AND I DONT DRINK AS I USED TO. it is so sad, right :)

I don't know if I am thinking clearly but, Turkey is now demanding that the Armenians clear out of recently controlled provinces and how about their push to clear out the Kurds?

Should be waited out until this episode of Turkish political life comes to end.

... in a relatively non-belligerant fashion... ... all he implied was: "Sorry, but you are persona non grata... you should have looked-before-you-leapt into the mire that you helped create in Gaza..."

Cause and effect - Israel seems to have cognitive problems joining up the dots to see the picture. While it continues to occupy and settle the West Bank to prevent a Pal state, Pals will continue to fight the occupation and oppression. Whether by Qassams, infitadas or however, it will never cease.. Israel will forever be reliant on heavy-handed punitive operations like Lebanon and Cast Lead to maintain its position. This combination of illegal policies and actions has led to respect for Israel plummeting to rock bottom. It is now seen as little better than Serbia in Kosovo and Bosnia, a nationalistic, race-based state on the rampage. When a Zionist Jew accuses it of war crimes, the EU declines to renew favourable trade agreements, partners lose patience, the Turks pull out of military exercises, these are not isolated incidents. They are the direct result of Israel's own actions and a clear sign that Israeli justifications and propaganda no longer cut the mustard.

"As long as Bibi wants to actively battle against Obama on peace and the settlements, things that Israel wants mystically and oddly simply will not happen." What simply didn't happen is that several countries backed out of the exercise because of Turkey's decision. Did Turkey want THAT to mystically happen?

"Meanwhile, Israel is intent on alienating every friend it ever had, " Is it the drugs? Want me to let you in on a little secret? Between Israel and Hamas, which has been more alienated, ya silly nut?

That's the only language Turks would understand.

What a cheek that you speak for Israel when you were ousted as Prime Minister and with few votes became Defence Minsister because of the stupid system we have. No wonder the Arabs are prepared to wait with a Judas like you.

when was the san remo convention discharged ? the 1922 mandate the anglo american convention 1924? invasions by egypt and jordan legalised ? garbage is repeated ad nauseam in these columns by zombies !

Mehmet, I could not agree with you more. Thank you for your humanity. Never forgive or forget what happened to the children of Gaza!

Israel should be run by elected officials.

There is another way to repair the damage,the british way.Israel can release some mass murderers and instead of gas deal gets good relation with Turkey,Like the relations between the UK and Libya.Maybe we don't have to send Lieberman we can send Brown he is the best. for such deals.

...only Israel's strong, able and beloved Foreign Minister can fix this problem.... Lieberman can congratulate Turkey on that cool new Turkey-Armenia deal that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton helped save in the last minutes with cell-phone diplomacy from a black BMW... President Obama appears as s surgeon, drawing together rended tissue, a bit at a time, and stitching it whole again. Meanwhile, Israel is intent on alienating every friend it ever had, including completely trashing the so-called "special relationship" with the United States. Hasbara backfired. From Haaretz to the WSJ many many Americans are speaking out. They are being answered by screechingly ignorant and increasingly vile wingnuts who claim to be Israel's "supporters" but as I have written here for years, they are Israel's worst enemy, far worse than Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas. Real Israel "supporters" had better start shouting down the wingnuts before all is lost.

So you don't like technology.I wonder if it is because technology means also communication,and with communacation one risk that the truth may be reveal to the world,and that is the worst for most Muslim regimes,if not all.Im' sure that your leaders hate technology as much as you So go back to the donkey and camel,no one is stopping you.Any one that know a bit of history knows also that the Turks killed more Arabs and more Muslims than Israel,more than anyone. So save us from your crocodile tears for Gaza.

Israel and Turkey are occassional allies of convenience, but it's a shakey arrangement. they have common cause in containing syria, iran, and iraq, but the fundamentalist tendencies of turkey are very apparent. so, israel should proceed cautiously. yes, sell them arms and know how for defensive purposes, but don't expect diplomatic support against the palestinians. blood is thicker than water.

Turkey has the right to speak to its friends, but when it criticizes Israel for defending itself from indiscriminate missile attacks from Gaza, it harms relationships with Israel and those that are fighting the Terrorists and their Supporters. Turkey is a Valuable Member of the Free World and its action to reschedule the joint military exercise, to include Israel is a welcome sign.

instead of you setting them straight from Tucson as to who they should or should not excersize with? Perhaps they have almost as much insight into what is militarily good for them as you do.?

common enemies is more like it. if its opposing syria and iraq, and iran, there could be a common cause, but essentially the two countries have limited common interests and that can become apparent in times of stress. that israel is protecting turkey from charges of genocide is almost mind boggling as israel is paranoid about holocaust type events. and where was our friend turkey when hamas rocketed israel daily for a year? heh heh. yeah, barak, we should keep channels open, but this event should remind us there is no real common interest and more likely the opposite. blood and religious ties will out and prevail in times of stress.

...Justine, this so called 'tripartite agreement' between America, Israel and Turkey. When you Google for 'Sibel Edmonds' and watch the full length documentary about her. For years the Turkish secular elite got pampered by American Neo-Con funds and thus the Turkish elite became the paid bedpartners of the right-wing Israeli warmongers like Nethanyahu a.o. It factually was a true classical conspiracy, however this concealed arranged 'friendship' has been shattered due to a.o. the refusal, by Israeli military, to have a Israeli-Palestinian peace Hospital...fully paid by a Turkish elite family. A better sign that the 'tripartite' ended, is the fact that Turkey recently signed big contracts with Russia for buying military equipment. So yes: the Israeli warmongers have a huge problem, since the ruling American elite wants the Nabucco gaspipe trough Turkey in order to tackle Russia. Obama bow for muslims in Egypte? It is all about and related to the Nabucco gas pipe.

I don't see any issue with Israel being excluded from such an exercise. It is not a part of the EU nor is it part of NATO. It's a Middle Eastern state and needs to begin cooperating with its neighbors in its region and not seeking alliances far and abroad, where it has no business. I think it is best that Turkey sets this example and leads the way in excluding Israel henceforth.

There is no such an "agreement", Turkish National pride would never allow for it. It's probably more of an "understanding" between the parties. Considering that the "drill" were to be held on 'Turkish soil', the turks would always have the last word on who's to participate, as would any country. The last one was held last june and then Israel chosed not to participate, as it had the right to do without breaking any "agreement". There are two camps in Israel, one that is trying to blow it out of proportions and another that would rather that the whole 'story' would have been dealt with through the ordinary diplomatic channels. You can see whom has the press on its side.

Its obvious right now: Turkey and the Turks have shown to be more moral compared to the U.S., Europe and Israel. Israel's decisions of killing hundreds of innocent children and Israel's choice to breach its agreements with Hamas on November 4/5 in 2009, finally gets its backlash. Thank you Turkey, than you Turkey very much! This will be the turning point and now pressure will be put on Israel, as the American fascist elite wants the Nabucco gas pipe to be build trough Turkey. The Nabucco gas pipe will be more important to the Americans than support to the right-wing Israeli child killers. Israel can call Houston, as it has a major problem and that's just Justice. Go Turkey, Go!

needs to go to Istanbul immediately without delay to repair the damage that Operation Cast Lead has caused to Israeli and Turkish relations. This should be Lieberman's number one priority as Barak says the relationship between Turkey and Israel is a strategic one. Hopefully the cabinet meeting has agreed on this course of action. Lieberman must be the one to go because Erdogan and Peres both have history.

Turkey is a great Muslim nation. The majority of its proud people are concerned with the disasterouys effects of Israel implementation in the holy land by Western powers. It is natural that Turkey, which led Muslim destiney for centuries supports Muslim causes. Israel has no friends in here, except the dictators and the servents (plo).

"Turkey eyeing EU membership, so showing oneness with Europeans" While you say that the Turkish move brings them closer to Europe, others say it alienates them from Europe. The contradiction shows just how desperate you pro-Zionists are in your search to stick accusations on Turkey without any substance.

And what about the kids going to schools under the threat of daily rocket fire from Gaza, and the ones murdered by suicide bombing, just because Israel protects its citizens properly, minimize deaths, and you not seeing every child killed in Israel on your TV doesnt justify what Hamas does.

Sir, Al Jazeera compiled a list of 210 children killed in Gaza. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200911591418168902.html Out of 210 151 (my count) were boys, mostly teenagers - 15-18 yo. Boy:girl ratio is about 1. Do you have any explanation of the figures above? I suggest that "boys" were armed militants. ps. 44 kids younger than 5 yo were killed - poor souls caught in the war - very sad...

Their nationalism is based on Turkism. Armenians arent exclusively Christians. There are Muslim Armenians too. And the Kurds are predominantly Muslim. Its people like you who drag religion intp everything to make it a part of conflicts, and thats when things dont change. Your trapped in religious hate. Love your neighour, all of them, Muslims, Christians Jews and others.

Please Israilies , listen for the world, dont hide the dirts under the carpet and sware your house is clean, your politicians made and are making big mistakes every day. We in Turkey opened our hands towards every body, Armenians, Greeks ..etc., Our prisedent is calling all Greeks who were the native inhabitants in some villages in Ege, and Marmara regions to come freely stay, buy ,invest , and enjoy thier memories without any obligations. Are you so brave to take similar action ? Peace must be felt by normal people, not only by politicians and bribed poppies . Majority of Filistinians are supporting Hamas because Israilies did not give them any alternative,and targeted civilians,Kassam rockets are more dummy fireworks than rockets no comparison between the hurt of these hobby rockets and dissolved lead operations. Give Filistini people a hope fore future and dont listen to the bribed clawns Abbas, Fayyad & Co., and you will find peace closer than you imagine before.

embarrassed by the EU's stance towards a speedy membership into the Union, now sees the Turkish army begining to lean towards letting its political leadership take on the role as the Sunni Muslim world leader with the aim to kiss and make up with the Shiite Muslim world leader. Not without a reason though, it puts immense pressure on the EU to reign in the french jewry's resistance to Turkish membership in the near future. If their gamble will pay off is anybody's guess. A NATO without Turkey would serve the Russians that has been suspiciuosly wondering what it is for, now when the cold war is over. The AKP have chosen a moment when the Turkish Army couldn't very well say no to its "request" of not letting Israeli war planes participate in mock attacks against Iran, from Turkish soil. Egypt will now have to distance itself even further from Israel to compete and there they would have the support of its army generals. The "moderate" Muslim states will follow. Interesting times indeed.

If you mean that it is a gain to have close relations with Turkey,how come the Europeans do all that they ban not to have them in the EU. Anyway for the Americans it is to late.Their gain from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,can be felt in the Muslim world.Why do you think you have the appeasement politic?because they love you?.

You will see this splits only in your dreams.

on Israeli men women and children. Your sudden concern for child casualties would sound a bit more sincere if you had spoken up 1000 Qassams ago or when Hamas chose to fire from their schools or sent children to pick up qassam launchers knowing they would be in danger from return fire. While you have an Islamist government you will continue to side with the Moslem Brotherhood as birds of a feather do. Where were you Mr "humantarian"?

"Well approx. 30% of their tourism comes from Israel" Approx. 3 % of their tourism comes from Israel. Typo or intentional?

I have never heard of that "agreement", has anybody else? Here we have an Israeli journalist claiming that Turkey has violated "the tripartite agreement between Israel, the United States and Turkey". As far as I know Turkey is a sovereign country and a member of NATO and have never sign a "tripartite agreement" with the US and Israel. As for the cancelation of "international participation" in the upcoming drill on the Anatolian plateau, well it was to have including "practicing aerial attacks in Turkish airspace near borders with Syria, Iraq and Iran" and with the Turkish PM preparing his upcoming visit to Tehran, it just wouldn't have looked good. The cooling of relations between the two countries has been ongoing with various incidents, but the snub of the Turkish Foreign Minister's request to visit Gaza was the last straw that broke the turkish camel's back. Now back to ficticious "tripartite agreement", has anybody ever heard of such "agreement"?

A strong show of solidarity with Europeans regarding Israel is bound to earn Turkey major points toward EU membership. Turkey was always a fairweather associate (not friend). Still it is better to have an accurate account of our associates, rather than live in a fantasy. Alliances do have value, especially when it comes to common defence. But, if an alliance is not going to be somewhat reliable, then I'd rather walk. International politics have practicality at the core. An unreliable relationship would probably be considered impractical. For Turkey to "leave Israel hangin'" over the Gaza Op says a lot. Ultimately, Europe and Turkey deserve each other. They definitely have one thing in common.

Not being someone who agrees with Erdogan on a single issue, I think Israelis really have no place to train over our airspace, they would not have let us do the same if they had the same setting. They can take their f16s to Texas and play there. As for the Israeli hi-tech help to the Turkish Air Force, well, a technology which is not yours is no good anyway, so I think we can live without it. But as I say, all this will never happen because USA will not let it happen. In a year or two, things will change and IAF will start training in Konya again. I wihs we had a proper left wing government and they had done the same thing as Erdogan not on the basis of religion but on the basis of humanity and respect for the people of Gaza.

At long last the world is waking up to Israel's wretched treatment of the Palestinians. This is so even in America. The more Netanyahu digs in his heels, the greater this enlightening will be. Israel is becoming a pariah among nations. A designation richly deserved. The long-held policy of preserving the status - quo in the occupied territories is no longer tenable.

Who is trying to "muddy the waters of reality"? (your words) Is Prime Minister Erdogan keeping a peace agreement with Palestinians forever out of reach? Meet Daniella Weiss. "Settlements prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in the Land of Israel. This is the goal. And this is the reality." Daniella Weiss, a major pro-settlement activist and former mayor of Kedumim (an Israeli settlement in the WB) to '60 Minutes' correspondent Bob Simon, in "Time Running Out For A Two-State Solution?" www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/23/60minutes/ main4749723.shtml

'So will Turkish Goverment show the same stick to Hamas? I don`t think so." Me either. I don't believe they were even thinking of conducting a joint Air Force exercise.

Tell us Colin who do you thibnk really loses out here, Irael or Turkey. How come Italy, Holland and the US have decided to pull out as well. Mr thinks Turkey didn't realise that Israel was key here. And one other thing, Turkey has been looking for an excuse to tone down its partnership with Israel since before the Gaza war, ever since they had more islamic radicals gain power in their govt. they have been trying to do this. Well approx. 30% of their tourism comes from Israel so lets see how yhey live without this.

when did 'acquiescence to israel' get added to the "copenhagen criteria"? is it retroactive? actually, it's NOT. and considering the climate towards israel in europe of late, over its military exercise in gaza, i seriously doubt that turkey's stance would be used to bar it from membership. there's little doubt that it'll become a member once it's resolved the issues that have prevented it in the past. it MIGHT catch some flack from nato, but even there...how much would really be anything MORE than lip service in deference to the united states?

"chronical Israeli "unsmartness" when it comes to politics" You name it. As long as the attitude "for each problem there is an F-16 to solve it" persists, Israel will be alienated ever more from the rest of the world. Smart minds they have, but not in the government and Knesset.

There are many ways for Israel to defend itself without being accused of war crimes. The least effective one being settling its nationals amidst a foreign population, on a territory outside its sovereignty. "I believe that the settlements in Gaza were a historic mistake." Shaul Mofaz, then Sharon's Minister of Defense, to Lally Weymouth, Newsweek, May 2004. www.newsweek.com/id/105454/page/2 Operation Cast Lead, or the price of folly. Why is that so difficult for eveyone to understand?

"keep real political solutions to a possible peace agreement with Palestinians forever out of reach." What keeps an agreement out of reach is exclusively your rightist government with its fixation of expansionism and colonialism. Everything else is secondary.

IS A WAY OF MINIMIZING CASUALTIES? "Israel was right to defend herself against rockets fired from Gaza" No rockets fired from Gaza ever reached Israel. Look at a map of Israel's ACTUAL SOVEREIGN territories. " She conducted the war in a way to minimize casualties." Propaganda works... Israel has all means of civilians escaping a war zone closed under the 2005 agreement with Egypt, not even into the sea. Geneva Convention 1V?Section II..Occupied territories..Art49?The Occupying Power shall not detain protected persons in an area particularly exposed to the dangers of war unless the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand.

Well if Turkey is banning Israel for civilian deaths in Gaza, then it should quit Nato or ban also USA from the drill, every week we are hearing civilian death news coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan, so why to Israel but not to USA or Nato

Same Goldstone also concluded that Hamas also used civilians as human shields and commited Warcrimes. So will Turkish Goverment show the same stick to Hamas? I don`t think so. What Turkey does is, trying to isolate Israel from whatever international thing there is and power up its own influence on Middle East. And by the way

Hi everyone, that turks and turkish government condemn israel on its brutal actions does not mean we all hate israel or israelis. I am not a supporter of Erdogan, nor religious, however i admired recent actions (not hosting israeli airplanes) of the government. It shows that we (turkish people:turks, kurds, circassian etc.) still have some dignity. As a member of this public, i feel also some responsibility and guilt of Cast Lead and other massacers taken places in Palestine, since we governed that region for 600 years and than lost the control over Britain. another factor: If Turkey hosted Israel, that would contradict what Erdogan said before , and that would be a political disaster for him. Some expect an Israeli attack on Iran. if this happens, Iran could also attack Turkey, since Israeli planes made the preperations and trainnigs on our soils. This is another factor. You would do the same thing, if you were on our place..

Why is that so difficult for Israel to understand? No one else in the world would have allowed land theft to carry on that long. You do realize that none of the territory Israel illegally acquired by war, by 1949, was ever annexed to Israel.

israel's main fear is that now she loses her refueling base and flyover rights after it ignites a war with iran and tries to strike it. obviously, it put all its eggs in the turkish basket hoping turkey would allow her to fly over turkey and to refuel there to strike iran. now that is on hold. obviouly the arab nations who hate iran still won't give israel permission to fly over that includes american occupied iraq. israel we have a problem alright. now do we violate (as you usually do) sovereign nations' airspace and strike iran, or do we actually face reality and realize turkey did this as a result of occupying palestinian territories and treating the gazans like animals. wake up israel.

Cyprus? what about it? and the Armenians too? are there armenians and cypriot greeks being killed, humiliated, beaten every day? Is there a blockade on them? Have the turks built a wall that splits up villages from one another? mmm...what else? Have we bombed UN buildings and killed 1400 mostly women and children lately? A few years ago while israel bombed the hell out of Beirut, again killing and wounding innocent people in the thousands, what was turkey doing? When was the last violent incident on the island or in turkey with the armenians who are equal citizens? nice comparison.

Things can change. It may be a hard sell to ratify, but apparently Turkey and Armenia have mutually recognized each other. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-big-question-is-the-bitter-divide-between-turkey-and-armenia-coming-to-an-end-1801361.html

Gaza is a pretext,the situation is clear,the signs are clear,Turkey will become an Islamic State.with terrible consequenses for Israel,and the West.The rapprochement towards Armenia is nothing but a ruse to temporarily secure it's northern flak,while making secret arrangements with Syria and a nuclear Iran. Waiky Waiky everybody.Is Turkey the "Antichrist" army that will try to destroy Israel and the West? 2012? Nostradamus? I am no prophet of doom,I am simply very worried.Is Erdogan thinking he is the next Salah El Din who will bring back the Ottoman empire? Is Israel selling Turkey the very instruments to be used againts it? Is Obama a waste of time or the Saviour?

israel has already showed her true colors. one would have thought being victims of the holocaust that israel would have emphatically acknowledged the genocide of the armenians, but then again, this is isreal we're talking about. the nation that bombs civlian neighborhoods in palestine and lebanon because it has difficulty in defeating militants on the ground. israel has already shown her true colors. we don't want her pitty, nor her support. by the way, it wasn't jews who were housing us when the turks were massacring us, it was the palestinians who did as they became prime target of the turks for siding with england.

Not just the Turks. No Europeans are going to be angry with Turkey over this. Even the US will totally understand. It was astonishing at the time; and remains so, that Israel did not see the damage it was doing to itself by the callous, murderous nature of the way it undertook the "war". I suspect it is now dawning on the leadership. E.g. Tzipi Livni now seems non existent, and rightly so.

Turkey can't just play deaf and blind while its coreligionists are being systematically murdered in Palestine. Israel should never forget that more than 70 million Turks are watching rather keenly what Israel is doing in Gaza and Jerusalem. We also know that Israel is inciting the secular military establishment to topple the democratically-elected government of Turkey. But we won't give you any chances. Time is changing and Turkey is not what it used to be.

Time's up. What Israel seems incapable of recognising is that the world's no longer interested in peace talks that are dragged out for decades while the settlements keep on growing. The world wants action from Israel NOW. Pull the IDF out. Free the Pals. THEN negotiate about the settlements and all the rest of it. Either that, or the UN and NATO should take the West Bank away from Israel, as they took Kosovo away from Serbia, because Israel has shown itself incapable of ruling the West Bank fairly.

cyprus cyprus . people who live in glass houses must not throw stones !

"A senior source at the ministry told Haaretz about concerns that strategic ties with Turkey are in jeopardy after Operation Lead Cast in the Gaza Strip earlier this year." - Haaretz Didn't anyone pay attention to what the Turkish government was saying during Cast Lead? "It may be that the reality has changed and the strategic ties that we thought existed have simply ended," - ibid The first response of Israel was to 'strike back' at Turkey for canceling the exercise. The problem isn't in the politicians in Turkey, it's the turkey's running Israel. The current leadership of Israel acts with total contempt for the world and with an arrogance and hubris which compares only to the leadership of George W. Bush and North Korea. Then it is baffled when the world responds.

Whats WW1 got to do with Israels war crimes of today. It has no relevance.Is Israel brutally occupying land at the moment? Did even a Jewish Goldstone conclude war crimes? Today, not 1915.

Against all logic, we have refused to acknowledge that the Gaza incursion in December was a fiasco for our country, not only for Gaza. This morning the talking media broadcast only politicos (from all coalition factions) who said that Turkey would have to rethink its relationships and that the crisis in the stalled peace talks was because of a now tripartite obstacle that included not only Haniyeh/Mashal and Abbas, but also Israeli Palestinians in the shape of Sheikh Ra'ad Salah. No questioning of our own behavior, not in relation to the Turks, not in relation to the Palestinians, not in relation to the US and Europe. For a government to live in such denial is an alarming spectacle for Israelis. It is we who will have to rethink our relationships, it is we who are stalling peace talks because our government cannot admit the truth to us. The higher pressure, the worse the self-righteous polemic becomes. How long will it still take? Where will it end, Mr. Netanyahu? Where?

Aha... at last official Israel has woken up.. Until now it has been in a state of complete denial...

Israel will NEVER be able to make peace anywhere on "Israel's" terms. No one will allow that. The Gaza offensive was a RESPONSE to 8 years of attacks by Hamas on Israeli communities. Why is that so difficult for eveyone to understand? No one else in the world would have allowed any such attacks to carry on that long. Since coming to office, Erdogan has had it in for Israel, being a Muslim he wants to sever ties with Israel and run with Iran, ie, his policy to lift sanctions against Iran. He is now clearly showing his solidarity with Hamas and Iran. Israel indeed neds to rethink, regret the loss of its ties with Turkey and move on.

...didn't seem to care too much about the defensive action in Gaza...so what's behind the agenda of not letting it go...there are significantly worse in events going on right now around the world being totally ignored...

.....it rather damaged Israels ties to "the world". Nope, the cost-benefit factor surely wasn't a very good one here, you could have had exactly the same result (ceasing of rocket attacks from Gaza) by starting to talk seriously to Hamas in last November, since those attacks weren't in Hamas strategical interest either.... ....but that was not what your politicians had in mind, all they had in mind was to gain a few more votes in February. But again, who voted those politicians into office...??? That is exactly what I mean, when I talk about the chronical Israeli "unsmartness" when it comes to politics.....

Turkey is building close relation with iran and syria.Turkey is too big and too strong.The time has come to be split in 2 or 3 parts.

With the latest census stating that Muslims makes up 25% of the World's Population you could do something or nothing. Operation Lead may have something to do with it but then again I really don't think it would have taken very much to have pushed Turkey over the edge. I think it's more probable that religious leaders in Turkey have the government by the balls and that may be what's going on in Egypt and in other Moderate and/or Formerly Moderate Muslim Nations. Israel has it's Right Wing too. But we gotta sort this out. I think we need to be proactive before political issues become WWIII based on religion. So before you talk, give yourselves time to think and let Erdogan cool off. You see, Jews and Muslims are both confrontational. It's a personality thing. We get in the face and don't stop till it escalates. Stand back for a while (2 Weeks)and be objective and in control when talking. It must not escalate with Turkey. Otherwise it's going to get too complicated even for Obama.

Turks will be sorry when Iran goes nuclear.

Alan - you might want to read about the accord signed a few hours ago: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-big-question-is-the-bitter-divide-between-turkey-and-armenia-coming-to-an-end-1801361.html

Isreal's actions are not without consequence. This is only the beginning, regardless of America's unfortunate current blind support. That will end soon.

As long as you want all Palestine for yourselves and treat Jews as pigs and dogs you will have to rely on propaganda lies for another 60 years. And then you have Europe where we can see first signs of resistance to the chosen peoples' murders and terror. Can you handle all this binny?

is right. Israel cannot engage in indiscriminant killing of Turkey's fellow Muslims and expect to be treated with love and care. Its common sense. Israel needs to be tried for crimes against humanity.

Goldstone has put an official rubber stamp endorsing the lies that Israel perpetuated war crimes in Gaza.... The Domino Effect of this report is reaching far and wide. In the wake of the Goldstone report, Turkey now sees its rhetorical claims of the so called Israeli genocide in Gaza last January now as justified and "factual". Shame on all the liars of the world. These lies will not bring anyone any closer to peace, but will just perpetually 'muddy the waters" of reality and keep real political solutions to a possible peace agreement with Palestinians forever out of reach.

Let them shoot.Just don't retaliate and let them shoot. Remove the check points,apartheid wall,end the siege,allow militarization of Gaza and give Hamas hunters free pass to go to Israel. Why? Because we want it stupid!

Israel bashing is the cement that holds the OIC member-states together. Little more. Turks, after seeing that the door is relatively closed for EU-membership, and being a secular Muslim country, are indeed influenced by Iran and Al-Jazira, by Syria and the global onslought against Israel. They will have to choose between Islam's tsunami and an unwilling West to embrace it fully. Israel shouldn't force anything, but wait till they find their identity. On the meantime, it shoud remind Turkey not to use Isrtael-bashing as a tool of Socratic self-knowledge. There are things that concern Turkey that are central in this search. Alienating Turkey from Iran and Syria must be high in US and NATO priorities.

Erdogan's AKP party is none other than the Turkish Branch of Muslim Brotherhood movement. They are allies of Hamas, Syria and Iran. Their ideology is pan-Islamist and they would like to see Israel swallowed within the Islamic Ummah. So what did you expect??? The fault is not with Erdogan, who is being what he is; but with naive Israelis and Americans who preferred to live in denial till now...

I am happy for Israel that they had the chance to see Erdogan's and Turkey's real face and opinions before they have gotten into a deeper relationship with Turkey. On the other hand I am very sad that the ties are ended between Turkey and Israel because of very irrelevant issue, Palestine, to Turkey. This event clearly shows that Turkey is an antisemitic and a radical islamist country. Whenever there is something against Israel they have always gone pro for it,however when they had more important issues then war between Israel and Palestine such as war in Georgia which took place right at the boarder of Turkey or massacre in China towards the Turks or massacre to their own army by PKK they did not even care. When there is a situation involved Israel or Jews it becomes a big deal for them. I am more concerned for Turkey's future which Erdogan and his friends are trying to make it like Iran. I hope secular Turkish people who believes in Ataturk would be able to live in the future.

As long as Bibi wants to actively battle against Obama on peace and the settlements, things that Israel wants mystically and oddly simply will not happen. No explaination. No stated quid-pro-quo. Israel will simply continue to lose on all fronts. Obama has global momentum towards peace. Bibi can either fight that momentum, or join behind that momentum and make peace on Israel's terms, or continue to lose over and over.

...then moonlights as a Cheerleader for the Iranian Mullahcracy? Endrogan placing personal interests & priorities ahead of Turkey's is a very damaging, unwise & destructive tragedy to befall upon the strong bridges that he never built, and only wants to ruin.

When Turkey decided to stiff the US prior to the invasion of Iraq. Turkey's ruling party has shifted its alliances towards Iran and Syria and away from the West. This is just the latest step. One has to wonder just how much of a trusted party the Turkish government really is now, especially in its supposed role as an objective party bringing Syria and Israel together for peace, or as a back room supporter of Syria. As well, its growing support for HAMAS. This move puts many things in a different perspective about the Turkish government rather than Israel's actions in Gaza.

Turkey is a predominately Moslem country. Did you think that the war in Gaza was going to endear you to the Turks?

Thanks Mr. Erdogan for speaking truth to the neigborhood bully (also thanks Gideon Levy for coining this phrase during Israel's war crimes in Gaza). All human rights warriors appreciate your remarks to Peres at Davos.

Hmmm Any comments from Armenians??

The entire world saw what happened in Gaza. The IDF wreaked havoc, pain and death on the entire Gaza community because a few individuals sent rockets into Israel. The entire world saw Israel shut down the supply of food and medical supplies to the entire Gaza community. Women, children and non-combatants were carelessly killed and maimed. Israel should be very concerned. There is an awakening to the fact of Israel's true objectives. Through settlements, walls, checkpoints and exclusive Israeli settler highways criss-crossing Palestine, Israel has established many Palestinian ghettos which can be cut-off and a whole community punished for the crimes of a few. It is time for Israel to be accountable.

I find it amusing that the perpetrators of the Armenian genocide and the brutal fight against the Kurdish terrorist wish to preach morality to Israel who has been dealing with terror for 60 years.The truth is that the Turkish Islamists have increased their influence and even the army no longer seems to be willing/able to retrain them. The ultimate price Turkey will pay is that they will not be welcomed into the EU.

If the Turks are so concerned about matters of genocide and justice, then they shouldn't be concerned the least about such a symposium? No?

of what's to come. Turkey is probably the only friend that Israel has in the Muslin world. The Israeli government does NOT understand the crucial role that Turkey has played and can play on their behalf. If the Israeli government does not get its act together it is going to get ugly, very ugly. Turkey is NOT the U.S. always trying to placate Israel. The Turks are a proud people and unless Israel begins to address some of Turkey's concerns, the Israelis are going to lose, big time!

Shame on Israel, for morally bowing to Turkey's pressure not to take the Islamic nation on for it's atrocities towards the Armenians, bombing of the Kurds and occupying Cyprus. And now we are left with nothing. You think Turkey would do the same for us?

...Instead Erdogan worsened his own ties with West. NATO consists not only of Turks. NATO is able to get rid of TURKS if necessary. Georgia and Ukraine will become NATO members soon. Israel is and will be the most important strategic partner of the WEST.

I wonder how many more there will be. But will it be enough? I doubt it. You should do it again.

Israel guilty of war crimes; lift sanctions on Iran. Gee, maybe they just don't like Israel.

This unfortunately is nothing new. Turkey is just responding to pressures exerted by powers that be that would have Israel destroyed. Just as the UN has been hijacked by these same powers. Israel was right to defend herself against rockets fired from Gaza. She conducted the war in a way to minimize casualties. There is nothing Israel should regret. Even the dove Shimon Peres defended the Israeli action at Davos.

Clearly Erdogan and his supporters don't want to be friends with Israel and Israelis should stop behaving like beggars. It's demeaning and beneath contempt.