Turkish public won't forgive Israel's insult

Efraim Elrom was killed by ultra religious Turkish terrorists? Are you kidding? No, you are not; it is shame. They were not ultra religious at least. And you know that.

Yes, israel and turkey are two states, that have common understanding and will to continue good relations. But even the government has some islamic root, the behaviour of israeli FM is absolutely childish. normally, turkish people do not carry anti-semitic views. I wish I had some arab, palestinian and jewish friends in istanbul. I really enjoy driving from here to jerusalem via beirut, jordan and syria as eurepeans do easily in EU. why we can not have this kind of atmosphere in middle east? We only know how to lose friends. Being a secular or islamist does not hide the stupidity of israeli FM acts. I think as an independent state isral shall exists but israel shall also protect and accept the existence of palestinians. Build roads, hospitals, schools and universities for palestinians. do some good things to make theirs lives easy. after that, we can have peace.

Year 1939, Turkish Embasador Behic Erkin in Paris... He saved 20,000 Jewish by giving them document statin that they are Turkish Republic Citisen... He ordered to the staff to teach these Jewish People to learn 6 word of Turksih "I am Turkish, my relatives live in Turkey!". Out of these 20,000 Jewish 10,387 is Turkish Oriented. And even one of the Jews, whom he saved, is son of Lean Blum, who is the First Jewish Prime Minister of France. If you know more about what happened and how Turks were still saving Jews from the hand of Killer Nazis just in the last century read the book written by him named Ambasador. This is only a latest sample from thousands of similar action from the Turkish-Jewish History.

What disgraceful behaviour...yes Peres was subject to a rant in Davos, but this was not in response. This was idiotic. Turkey does not need Israel....Israel needs Turkey...this behaviour will set us back a bit...Well Done Dani....

Fatih allow me to agree with you regarding your compatriots maturity,but disagree on the issue of yourfundamentalist islamist PM; that man by associating with criminals like Syrians and iranians is playing high risk policy that might push TURKEY out of the EC. Also every government commits barbaric acts; the 1904 Armenian massacres and the last decade killing of political activists of Kurdistan does not make you still liable for genocidal crimes.The ISRAELIS are just a poor lot fighting for survival PS- I am an European of Armenian descent.

Some people are under the impression that most turks are secular,which is not true.Considering they were very pleased to vote Erdogan in. By Erdogan's actions now they will discover he is proving to be a liability/trouble maker. This would not help Turkey to move forward in future dealings on important matters. Erdogan needs to climb down from his pedestal and stop thinking he is the leader of the PAST ATTOMANS. Things are different now,and turkey is not as important as it then was.At least that is what most Europeans perceive. Ayalon was quite in order to show Turkey Israel will not tolerate Erdogan's double dealing with the terrorists.And his constant verbal attacks which have been unconscionable. His friendship with: i.e Syria,Hamas,Iran.While demonizing Israel at every turn. At the end who will be the loser?Not Israel,but Turkey. The sooner the turkish public think clearly and be not deceived by voting such a person as Erdogan at the next election.

becuae they 're speaking the same language...

If you isolate your few friends, who will come in your hour of need. Do nothing of such incidents, such a thing will come. Study history to learn form it, not repeat it.

Hopefully he will be made to grovel in the same way as the Turkish Ambassador. Or will the trip be called off at the last minute for more pressing issues.....

I think all the editorials about the Turkish public and the Turkish street and the supposed humiliations of the Turkish ambassador to Israel seem so ridiculous and absurd. The Turks brought this upon themselves. If you dish it out you gotta take it. All of this is childish. But the Turks clearly started it and have been amping things up - but with all bullies - it's been a one way street.

Does anyone think that Ayalon's behavior is worse than or even compares to Erdogan walking out on Peres. Come on guys get real. It's not such a big deal. Move on.

I am proud of my friends from Turkey. It is not because they are saying good things about our lovely country and our humble nation. It is because they are being fair and mature. They are drawing a thick line between Jews and Israeli current government. They show that what we are criticize is not Israeli people, it is their irresponsible, barbaric governors. All The Best!

ignoring the fact that for the first time the islamic party formed a government and that its leader is pushing to a anti israeli aproach in their forign relations is misleading.turkish are more moslem and less secilar and it shows in the elections hence they want any exuse to present israel as anti turkish.And the deputy minister played to their hands with this incident.to me its a torm in a glass of water and the turks are manipulated to dislike israel even more then they already are.

I am 60 year old born raised In Turkey. I servers in the Military as a Yedek Subay and maintain contacts in Turkey. I was there last summer. I even met my military commander at military and had a long political conversation. He is very disillusioned of the state of current Turkey. You see see everything from a narrow angle and Turkish point of view. You think that the invasion of Cyprus was justified since Greeks has slaughtered a Turkish family. I sincerely agree and supported that invasion on that ground. But you disagree when Israel after receiving hundreds of rockets into their civilian town with children killed does exactly the same thing as Turkey did; self defense. Fot teh last part of your post. I remember very well when the iranian revolution happened. We thought it was a left wing one but as soon as France sent Ayatollah Humeyni back it only took a few days. it is not easy to establish a real democratic mindset in a nation but religious dictatorship only takes a few days

David, I am trying to follow discussions about m. east via haaretz and j.post sites. And, I read you comments time to time as well. I see your general attitude. As a Turkish speaking person, you think that you understand everything about Turkey, turkish government, basic ideological poles in Turkey. However, frankly, I find you quite narrow-minded about all these stuff. No offense! I see that you always tell the story about Islamist government and Kemalist secular and modern army. Actually they are not even mutually exclusive. I am neither Kemalist nor AKP voter. I just see a valid moral ground in AKPs Israel policy. Erdogan is not smart enough indeed but someone had to arise public opinion about Israel and he is doing that.What I am saying is, you pretend to undertand role of Turkey in the region. You just try to justify Israeli politics. Please my friend, just tell me, is it so easy to change modern mind set of Turkey? Is is to simple to join in "axis of evil" for Turkey with Iran?

All this comedy is planned, the aim is Erdogan gains respect in the Arab world and when it is time to establish peace in the middle east for good, he will sit on the table to represent the muslim world, Hamas and Ahmedinajad will trust Erdogan and won't object to this idea, and bingo! US, Israil and Turkey, being allies for so long, will easily lay out the peace plan and everybody will be happy.. Otherwise, neither Ayalon is that stupid, nor Erdogan can do or say something that US do not want..

so what can u do ? nothing. no body do nothing.(if it is real) time changed oil policy changed.think again.

What Israel did in Gaza when Turkey was trying to broker a peace between Israel and Syria enraged Mr Erdogan, who felt utterly betrayed by Israeli leaders. What Mr Erdogan did in Davos was his way of exploding. Mr Peres looked more diplomatic, and I think he is really the only non-loser during these events. When Israel could not contain its urge to hit Turkey in the loins, they didn't look too great either. What a way to run countries! Looks like a Hacivat-Karagoz show...

Too bad what is good for the goose is good for the gander, PM Erdogan behaved in Davos like a complete idiot, his response had nothing to do with Gaza, he used it just to add full to the fire. Erdogan's response was a pay back to Israel for not agreeing to support Turkey in falsifying history. Israel refused to join Turkey in denying the Armenian Holocaust. Edrogan is an Islamist if there ever was one. He will set back Turkey into the dark ages, too bad for the Turkish people. Sultan you stated you like Jewish people, you just stopped short of saying "But not Israelis" Would you have liked Israelis more if they would have falsified history so Turkey will not be shown for who they really are?

"Gaza operation was a defensive move" Only it wasn't. Hamas repeatedly offered to extend the ceasefire, provided that Israel would lift the blockade-these offers were not explored by Israel or were simply rejected. Hence Cast Lead should not be represented as a 'defensive action'. "December 21, Yuval Diskin, head of Israel's internal security agency, said he thought Hamas was "interested in continuing the truce, but wants to improve its terms... It wants us to lift the siege [of Gaza], stop attacks, and extend the truce to include [the West Bank]." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7794577.stm

I believe that the killing of one person is equal to killing all the world. I accept that Israel should defend itself from terrorism. But in doing so, it shouldn't become a terrorist itself. What discerns between terrorism and war is, terrorists kill Military and Civilian alike, whereas in wars you shouldn't kill Civilians. Now don't tell me that those 1400 people were all terrorists. Also don't tell me that IDF doesn't have the capacity to differentiate between a terrorist and a civilian. Because we also have been fighting with terrorism for 30 years, and the civilian casualties caused by Turkish Army is close to zero. Also inviting Omar Al Bashir is a different issue. His power base is strong nowadays and it's not easy to topple him. So he'll continue killings whether you like it or not. So what we could do is, to call him as an elder brother and advice him to stop killings and treat his people in a humane way. It is a way of stopping the killings and it was the least we could do.

Turks were devastated around World War I, and Jews were devastated around WWII in a worse way. They can be very emotional towards each other, because historically they have been very close. They are much more similar than what many would think. Their worst fear seems to be the memory of the terrible times. Their fears are what they should fear the most. Act with confidence, act with civility and enjoy the fruits of your developing democracies.

I can understand that you care about your Arabs brothers but when an Israeli ally is acting more extreme than the Arabs themselves then it worries us. I think Etrogan either a real ante-semite or he is playing an ante-semitic card for his popularity.I just can't imagine that our president would do such stupid thing what Etrogan is doing after our 1000 years of good relationship. I hope that people like Ahmadinejad,Liberman and Etrogan would leave before its too late.

Elrom was kidnapped and killed by DHKC a marxist organization but they declared that they did it as as solidarity to the PLO. But you pointed out to one unfortunate matter. As you said antisemitism is nothing new in Turkey at least among large number of Turks ill educated and it is a shame for Turkey if this cannot be changed.

What accusations Erdogan made at Davos are unfair and false, David Abi? Can you disprove any of his words? For Mr. Ayalon: If this is an educated guy to hold the post of Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel, may God help the Israeli public. Having seen what he did to our envoy, I only pity that overgrown kid. Fatih,

We thought that you were a friend, but ALAS.

Turkey is a muslim country so obviously will stand with other muslim countries. There is no surprise there is there? Apart from murdering 1 and a half million Armenian people and murdering Kurdish people why is Turkey occupying half of Cyprus? They still want their empire! To Natallie, Judge, Dino and others on here, as the Israeli foreign ministry said Turkey is one of the last countries that can teach anyone how to behave.

1. Today Hurriyet Most respected Turkish journalist Oktay Eksi: http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/13472279.asp?yazarid=1&gid=61 1. Today Hurriyet, Yilmaz Ozdil, Political humor writer: Althoiugh not directly related I liked it very much He is from my home town of Izmir and we Izmirlis find humor in everything. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/13471586.asp?yazarid=249 Just use google translate. I know the quality of translation is not great but you will get the idea.

it is true that at least some papers understand that erdogan is responsible, like a lot normal voice from istanbul.

"And We decreed for the Children of Israel in the Book, that twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arrogance (and twice would they be punished)! When the first of the warnings came to pass, We sent against you Our servants given to terrible warfare. They entered the very inmost parts of your homes; and it was a warning (completely) fulfilled. Then did We grant you victory over them: We gave you increase in resources and sons, and made you the more numerous in man-power. If ye did well, ye did well for yourselves; if ye did evil, (ye did it) against yourselves. So when the second of the warnings came to pass, (We permitted your enemies) to disfigure your faces, and to enter your Temple as they had entered it before, and to visit with destruction all that fell into their power. It may be that your Lord may (yet) show Mercy unto you; but if ye revert (to your sins), We shall revert (to Our punishments): And we have made Hell a prison for those who reject."

Regarding to Efraim Elrom, David Israel couldn't be more wrong. The ambassador was kidnapped and murdered in 1971 by Marxists. I guess people here will get how he deviates things just to prove a false hypothesis. It is a fact that the current government has Islamic tendencies which I do not approve at all. However, claiming that Turkish public is getting more fundamentalist would a groundless argument. I have always regarded myself as a friend of Israel. I also thought that Turkish government deserved a stronger reaction by Israel after what Turkish PM did in Davos. However by humiliating the Turkish ambassador, Israel can gain nothing. What was done was not against Turkish government but Turkish people. It should actually be discussed whether or not the perception of Jews in the eyes of majority of Turkish people has ever been good. This is a valid question since no government can alter the public perception of a society in such a short time like in Turkey. Unfortunately, I believe

Erdogan is a conservatist about whom I also have my doubts. However please note that Turkey is strengthening its ties with the Middle East (as the EU project continues to stagnate) and that is a natural policy decision for a country with ties in the region. In principle I would be glad if I were Israel as Turkey can only positively influence those countries. Regarding the events of 1915 - I understand some of the comments on the topic, but please recognise that if Israel has not accepted that it is a 'genocide', it probably was indeed a massacre only. Jews faced THE holocaust and if they don't regard 1915 as a genocide, we need to think again before labeling 1915 as a genocide.

if ı were you ı would be a good friend with türkiye. because when ı was a chıld türkiye helped your people. and now türkiye you are afraid of us. ı m not understand it. dont make problem israel. because türkiye love the all the people. but türkiye dosent love disloyal people.

But the point you are avoiding is that teh Gaza operation was a defensive move after hundreds of rockets were shot at Israel. Just like when Turkey had to do the same in Cyprus. Now if Mr. Erdogan was a sincere humanitarian he should have either not invited Omar Al Bashir to Turkey or when he came arrest him as the UN requires. Are you going to avoid this important fact again? As for me; I can loudly say here that I deplore the killings of the Arab family at the beach. WEeather I remember their names or not. Now will you accept that Cast lead also was a defensive operation as Turkish Invasion of Cyprus or are you still going to give me a baseless excuse. And remember while your Arab brothers were against Turkey at the Cyprus matter Israel has been a solid supporter to this day.

The Israeli arrogance is, as ever, without limit. Some things never change. Looks like some people (some peoples) never learn from History...

Of course Ayalon's behaviour was stupid, but we should not feel that we need to grovel to a nation which in recent years has so vigorously pilloried our own country around the world, shored-up alliances with anti-Semitic regimes such as Iran and Syria, and aired blood-libels on national TV. This incident was a regrettable tail of sloppy, even amateurish and immature diplomacy - but it is so utterly pathetic that we Jews always act like an abused marriage partner, always blaming ourselves when these things go both ways (at the very least). Let the Turks apologise for their recent policies first.

I as a turkish citizen will forget it. I do not hate Israel. It is the future actions of Israel that will determine my personal view of them. This incident, as explained by Peres, does not reflect the view of all Israelis. Here I have read many Israelis share that view. I agree that the TV show was too vulgar in its depiction. How would we feel if blood was splashed over a turkish flag? We would feel offended. but all in all, it is just a cheesy action film and it is no reason for two nations becoming enemy.

When you say the Palestinians should wear uniforms as real men would do, I think you should note that the Jewish guerrillas fighting the British before 1948 didn't wear uniforms. I assume you mean those Jewish guerrillas weren't real men.

Is Turkey governd by children?The patient for Tayip's acting whithout reason is gonna pay attension from Europe, we are gonne send home all Turks, even from second or third kind of generation!!!And I hope a Wall is built between Greece and Turkey!

to post here every day. :)

Did you know that our government requested 5 judges from 5 independent countries such as Switzerland to participate in the prosecution of those responsible for the 1915 events? So that they would watch the proceedings and announce to world about what happened? Did you know that this action was obstructed by Great Britain and they pressured the 5 countries not to send judges? Did you know that Turkish Government offered a history board to be assembled from Turkish, Armenian and independent historians to inquire about what happened in 1915 and this was rejected by Armenians? Did you know that the newly found Armenian Republic offered a Federation to Turkey in 1926? Did you know that Armenian PM apologized to Turkey in 1926 about the 1915 events? Did you know that the Armenian population was ~1.5 million in 1915 and there was no way that 2 million were killed? You can bring the matter to attention as many times as you can. But don't think that you can compare it with Jewish Genocide

after all I would love to have a great history like Turks and be proud, and PM like Erdogan. Many Turks are disappointed with economic problems as unemployment and pricey life.But it should not make deny yourself.I never see Israel as friend of Turkey,it just ally.Turks use this keep themselves from Iran and Arab world. Coming recent Turkey's lean to Iran and Syria,nobody knows what is behind. I agree that US should very well informed on this and maybe giving directions. How else its possible West to communicate with Iran, Syria.It all politics. Israels Diplomat act is not acceptable. And Turkeys right to demand an apology for light-minded act that beyond far from diplomacy. Finally,I know nothing good about Israel. And i think there is nothing politically incorrect to say about today's Israel. And this make world rapidly forget what happened 70 years back.

I find Erdogan and Gul's position to be extremely encouraging. As Turkey's democracy becomes more confident in the face of the anti-democratic military, it is likely that the Turkish Government's approach towards the Zionist Entity will be even more forthright. It is a terrible source of shame for the Arab Nation that the leaders of non-Arab Turkey, and non-Arab Iran have more courage and honor than the unelected Arab leaders. However, with such developments as this, and Iran's continuing refusal to be cowed into submission regarding its nuclear energy program, the prospects for containment of Zionist aggression are now better than at any time since the end of the Cold War.

I also found Armenians "genocide" claim done for some land and money-irrelevant .A tiny isolated country with poor economy worse than be an Israel.Think Azerbaijan will resume unsettled deal on Kharabah soon.Since they improve their economy with their natural resources.And this time they will run away as did in the past. In Davos as I see it is triggered with disappointment of Turkey as negotiator and the emotional speech of Perez where he raise his voice, maybe not intentionally. The moderator just put on this extra flavor on this what made Erdogan to respond back and leave the Forum. many times "all business nothing personal" does not for people like Turks and leader as Erdogan.

Turkey is become for me like second home.And I believe i learned most of things(mainly good things)about Turks.They say they don't like much Arabs due their betrayal in history.However I hardly believe that Turks like Jews more than Arabs,see friend more than Arabs.Indeed I found many common things.Secularism is also subjective(utopic) thing.After all Turks in some way even more decent Muslims than others.Here,I read many comments from Turkey,who gave effort to come this place to to somehow justify Israel's diplomat act just because they don't like current government and PM.With all your cleverness,I found such a little proportion in this.Ambassadors represents nation not government as I know.And whatever internal stays home.As like problem in East Turkey with some Kurdish rebels.I see it as internal problem of Turkey and nothing to compare to conflict among Palestine and Israel which never ends at least in my life turn.How sad!

Do people here know what happened in 1915? In the middle of 1st World War? Are you people aware that we were in war and some Armenians sided with the Russians and enlisted in their army and fought against us? Are you aware that Armenians committed genocide against Turkish cities like Kars and Agri? Are you aware of the fact that what you address as a "genocide" is in fact the "order of relocation of Armenians to another region in the empire's land"? Are you aware that those who died on that relocation journey mostly died because of sickness? And the rest were killed by revenging families of the people of Kars and Agri? Did you know that the government actually tried to protect them during the journey but couldn't stop the killings of raging families who lost their loved ones to Armenian Gangs? Did you know that Armenians in Empire's Capitol weren't relocated and they lived there and some still live? Can you imagine that Hitler the Jews in Berlin and didn't touch them??

It's becoming a pointless debate, but I'd like to point just one fact. You said "...when I give the Israeli childre`s names (Dorit Benisian and Yuval Abebeh) killed by Hamas your people say is it fair to kill 1400 for 2?" This made me remember Galloway's comments in the famous Fox interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wdwk1dp-uU). He said "Tell me the name of one member of the 7 members of the same family slaughtered on the beach in Gaza by an Israeli warship. You don't even know their name. But you know the names of every Israeli soldier who has been taken prisoner in this conflict. Because you believe whether you know it or not, that Israeli blood is more valuable than the blood of the Lebanese or Palestinians...". where he was cut by an ad at this moment.. The world memorized the name of Ghilad Shalit, but the dead Lebanese didn't have a name... And yet again, you give names of 2 children, but I bet you don't know the names of any killed Palestinians...

remeber that it is the very office of Ayalon and liberman tht has not recognised the Armenian genocide as genocide. Yosi Sarid attended the April Remembrance Day but for political reasons Israel has cowtowed to Turkey on this. Their record in advocating for recognition of the Aremenian genocide is miserable. Their position has been completely dictted by political concerns rather than moral concerns. Moral accountability Israel demands of others, not itself.

This year Turkey stopped 3 trucks and landed a plane coming from Iran . Those were fully loaded with weapons, which were headed to Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel can exist without Turkey, it's correct. But multiply the rockets and bullets(also innocent civil casualties) with 10. That's why ultranationalist guys wrote formal apology in the middle of the night. They know better than you mister .

Oh yes as long as garbage of incitement hatred, radical Islamism, anti-Semitism and racism prevail in different society?s forgiveness and tolerance means nothing. Israelis was decent to forgive Turkey news paper promoting propaganda of hatred. This is parade of hatred rather then whatever. Fulls

While the Turkish public may not forgive Israel for making an ambassador sit on an old couch, we will not forgive the Turks for murdering the Armenian people and then trying to suppress it for 90 years. It is Armenian Holocaust denial that is feeding the Turkish xenophobia, now against Jews, but also against Kurds. Only when Turkey faces its past, like the Germans addressed Nazism, can Turkey join the status of an enlightened nation

Chess is a game where one side beats the other and wins. Diplomacy is making friends. I agree that Mr. Ayalon was wrong. PM Erdogan is also wrong: 1. Mr Erdogan clearly mentioned Sudan's Omer Al Bashir is a good man there is no genocide in Darfur. He welcomed Bashir on red carpet. In Darfur hundred of thousand people died in the hands of Muslim Janjawid. Mr. Erdogan does not worry about those but more concerned about 1400 dead (which is 1400 too many for me) in Gaza, 2. You complain about Gaza. when I give the Israeli childre's names (Dorit Benisian and Yuval Abebeh) killed by Hamas your people say is it fair to kill 1400 for 2? Well then why did Turkey intervene in Cyprus? The Greeks had murdered a Turkish family but in the war many people were killed by the TSK. As you know mass graves were found of Greek civilians and POW's shot point blank. You justify this as self defense but disallow Israel's self defense.

And it blew it, not once, not twice, but a number of times. Instead of winning over public opinion in Turkey, they have virtually destroyed an chance of improvement regardless of how many apologies Ayalon might proffer under pressure. What he did was infantile and had more to do with a mentality that itself is not very secure than registering Israel's disagreement over a tv program. Israel is a nation that for millenia had many other nations relate to it through contempt and derision. The Jews held no power. Now, Israel, is doing what was done to them. They really seem to have a national characteristic that compels them to alienate others. What in gods name did the Israeli Foreign Office think they would achieve by this insulting behaviour of a country's envoy? They are blinded by arrogance and never aplogise nor offfer of their won free will a "We are sorry". The world is fed up with it and that is their reputation. Just ask around.

This whole insult thing was orchestrated by Leiberman to torpedo Ehud Barak's efforts to forge better military/business ties with Turkey. Leiberman might've succeeded, for now.

Also about the TV show which was said to cause all these political issues... The name of the show is Kurtlar Vadisi and once they depicted the Turkish President as one who deals with and supports terrorists. Can you imagine that? Not to mention an insult to another country, but they insulted the President... No apparent action was taken against the show maker company (Pana Film) after that. Because as someone stated, it's a free country ruled by laws. So Ayalon should've insulted Pana Film officials, not Turkish Ambassador. By the way, we don't have to buy military equipments from IDF. Not to mention that we already started our own UAV production projects, there are many countries in line to sell us any high-tech weapons. And as we are the buyer and IDF is the seller, it won't be our loss in the least. And as Zvi Bar'el already pointed out, if Israeli tourists won't come to Turkey, Arab tourists would, and in fact they do.

Ayalon made a big mistake. Then he sent official apologies. The Turks accepted them. Period. Why do you revive the flames ? Do you have another agenda ? If the Turks are buying israeli goods it's because they find their interest. In any case, the islamist Erdogan will not stop bashing your country. Turkey is definietly turning to Syria and Iran.

Well now that you mentioned the tribunals in 1926, (yet again it wasn't 1927 as you stated) I'd like to ask if you knew what happened there also... It was a simple assassination attempt forwarded to Ataturk, but at the end hundreds of people got hanged and hundreds had to leave the country. Among the hanged were the famous and powerful politician Cavid, who was a Turkish Jew and head of the Karakash branch of Sabetais himself. He was hanged with some other Jews. It was yet again a political issue to suppress the opposition for the oncoming revolutionary reforms. Also about the Sheik Said incident, I'd suggest that you read about Mosul negotiations and the fight over the boundaries. It was yet again a political uprising arranged by the Great Britain to ensure that Northern Iraq would stay in the newly founded Iraq. Also note that the previous months the Caliphate was abolished by the National Assembly and this caused a huge discontent in the public, which was used by the English...

....on this planet, such a (diplomatical) conduct would have been absolutely unthinkable. The current governement is leading Israel straight into a "Banana Republic", that won't be taken seriously by anyone anymore in this world....

I'm not condoning our behaviour, but how about us forgetting the insults heaped on us?

It's easy to understand how Israeli deputy ambassador or the entire Israel government can humiliate another country, person or people when you consider humiliation is and has always been a tactic of Zionists used against ANYONE who challenges, questions or criticizes Israel. This is the same Israel that used to announce expansion of settlements the day a Secretary of State from America would arrive - regardless who it is - Baker, Albright, Powell or Clinton. This is the same government that humiliates Palestinians on a daily basis AS PART OF DAILY PRACTICE. This is the same government that announces a freeze to Obama on Monday and on Tuesday openly issues permits to build more settlements. There is no shame in Zion. Israel is not only belligerent, arrogant and insolent to no end - but it also indulges in sadistic humiliation as a sport. As I recall, Noble Laureates like Tutu and former President Carter were given the same treatment and worse. Tutu was not issued a visa? Wow, says it all. A preacher? A civil rights advocate? A Noble peace laureate? Nope, persona non-grata in Zion. How dare he criticize Israel?

The PM Erdogan had to make a strong remark at Davos to show that we didn't approve what was done in Gaza, because of the fact that Operation Cast Lead started just after Olmert's visit to Ankara, which would make it look like we were aware of the operation and we consented it, and this would ruin our reputation in the Islamic States and the Middle East. We wouldn't accept that. It's a chess game among the states and we are playing this game for thousand of years, which is much more compared to Israel's experience. So accept the fact that it was a reaction to preserver our reputation, which was to be ruined with a nice political plot. I am one of those you might call Islamist, but believe me I don't have anything against the Jews in particular, and I can assure you most of the public in Turkey thinks the same way. It's just that we want a peaceful region and we don't like the way it's disturbed everyday by Israel's selfish actions.

VERY WELL SAID Mr. Sullivan very well said , I do support what comes in your post Fully . With my best regards .

"the turning of the world on its head" Why present Israel as *the* victim today? The killing of tens of thousands of civilians over the last decades by Israeli military in 'wars of choice'[Zeev Moaz],has long since rendered any notion of Israeli 'passivity' a relic from a bygone era. Most people today understand that Israeli methods of self preservation involve acting as a 'mad dog': "Israel must be like a mad dog, too dangerous to bother." Moshe Dayan. [Cast Lead/Lebanon 2006 methodology] Whilst their policy toward those Arabs under Israeli control/occupation should likewise be as intolerant as one could imagine: "We have no solution, you shall continue to live like dogs, and whoever wishes may leave, and we will see where this process leads". Moshe Dayan.[O.T's since '67] Israel has not been a victim since the Holocaust; Palestinians most certainly have. Yet Israel trades on the Holocaust in order to cement its permanent status of victimhood. It refuses to relinquish its title to perennial victim. When you pay lip service to this long since outdated notion it is you who 'turn the world on its head'.

I made a small mistake in the date. in 1927 there were the tribunals in Izmir after a failed attempt to assassinate Ataturk. As yo mentioned Kubilay incident was 1930 but it does not change the fact that it happened before Israel was established. In fact there was also a pre3vious ultra religious attempt before that the Sheik Sait incident. It still supports my case that Israel cannot be blamed for the rising Islamism in Turkey as Mr. Linthwaite claims.

Thanks again reminding all the good things that Ottomans and Turks did for Jews in the past and therefore we should be eternally grateful to you. Bit please read the article that Fatih Altayli wrote yesterday on that subject at Haberturk. And let me also remind you the famous story from Omer Seyfettin called DIYET. I am getting rfeady to cut my arm and give it to you. And also please read the following: Rifat Bali: Devletin Yahudisi ve Oteki Yahudi Rifat Bali: DEVLETIN oRNEK yURTTASLARI Henry nahum: Les Juives d'Symirne (Izmirin Yahudileri) Erol Haker: Bir zamanlar Kirklarelide Yahudiler yasardi.

You have an interesting last name :). Sadly, I agree with your comments. I love Israelis and Israel, but the men do tend to be a little bit macho, yes? Big egos.

you may be right about Turkish long history the wars the great wall of china and all that stuff, I'll try to bring myself up to date by doing a litte research but let me ask you this. Are you and the citizens of Turkey willing to let Erdogan and his ilk, take Turkey from the 21st century to Iran's 7th century?

Efraim Elrom Israeli ambassador was kidnapped and killed in Turkey by ultra religious terrorists. His body dumped in a street corner. And guess what. Israel did not stop diplomatic relations after this instead Turkey did.

The IDF would much prefer that Hamas or Hezbollah fighters dress up like soldiers as real men would do when they want to confront an enemy and not drag their civilian population with them for cover so they can shoot at Israel at will and provoke them with acts of war and then hide behind their women's skirts and children's diapers, and then start crying and pleading for the international community to intervene right away when Israel strikes back. That any innocent Palestinian had to die in Gaza was unfortunate but Hamas terrorists don't respond well to subpoenas issued by the Israeli courts for rocket fire against Israel's civilians. I'd hate to see how Turkey would have responded to the PKK fighters and the Kurdish population if you even faced 1/10th of what Israel faced from Hamas ... perhaps how you officially treated the Armenians?

Yurkey should purchase their drones from the US and cancell other business deals with Israel. Turkey is yet another country where the Isaeli tourist will not be welcome. The apologists for this behaviour will of course say, as we always hear: "Good, let them be insulted. They were never any friend of ours anyway." These apologists for defiance and arrogance as statecraft need to live in a world that is against them. They don't feel comfortable otherwise and this way they never need to apologise becasue they are always in the right and the world in the wrong. Israel simply prefers that they are not liked. They create conditions that will make this chemistry happen.

The problem is while some of the enlightened modern Turks will run away from their country most will be prisoners under the Turkish Mullah regime. I would hope that USA and European countries understand this and start supporting the secularists and stop giving support to Islamist political parties. It is not an easy task. The Islamists came to power using so called Islamic Capital donated by rich Arab Mullahs. They distributed care packages in return of votes. The west should help secularist parties in a similar way.In my opinion it is the only way to save Turkish democracy.

well written and thank you

I am a Turk and not a fan of Erdogan at all. But he must be laughing his head off right now because that idiot in Israeli FM played right into his hands. And for the insult I did not take it personally, I have no ill feelings against Jewish people and the state of Israel but that does not mean I agree with everything they do either. So let's not make to big of a deal out this. Shalom :)

Your analysis of all of Israel's wrongs, the sins it has to pay for, is an old story that Jews have heard for a couple of thousands of years. Its nothing more than a fabrication, the turning of the world on its head. You make Israel out to be the culprit when it is truly the victim that has finally, after millenia, decided that it will fight back. No criticisms, from any quarters, will alter that. Survival is the issue and there is no latitude for risk. Jewish pacificism and trust was abused and betrayed throughout history and Jews from Arab and non-arab Islamic countries were far from exempt victims of this kind of behaviour.

Sabra - I find your response risible and short sighted. I see many American TV shows where in most cases, Russians, Arabs, Turks and even the English are portrayed as evil/terrorists/criminal masterminds. Yet I have never in my life known any of these countries to take umbrage at their portrayal in these 'shows' Perhaps your over zealous, zionistic pride has taken over your sense of judgement!!!

What Ayalon did in an official realm in response to Turkey's ongoing incitements and insults to Israel was foolish and has caused unneeded international political damage to the Jewish State at this time. Instead, Israel should have previously taken far more serious steps than it did against Turkey with Erdogan's ongoing, biased statements and the inciteful, Turkish TV series on Israel. Why sell them hi-tech UAVs to help them pounce on the dissenting Kurds? Tell them to buy the vastly inferior ones from Iran instead! Why treat Erdogan with kid gloves when he so blatantly and boisterously criticized Israel with such bias? The fickle Turkish populace may not forgive Israel for this insult and blunder but where were their voices of dissent when obviously maligning and character assassination shows on Israel were broadcast in their country? Instead, large numbers voted with their TV remote controls fixated on this incitement!

It is the other way around. Jews don't have a Charter that calls for the destruction of Gaza or the WB and for the elimination of the Pal people. Jews don't suicide bomb Pals and rocket their civilian populations daily. It wasn't Jews that attacked in 1967, leading to the current occupation. And it wasn't Jews that refused to negotiate a peace treaty following that unprovoked attack on them. Nor did the Jews organize a Jewish brigade with a view eliminating Pals. It was the Pals and their Arab brethren that organized the Arab brigade to help Hitler with liquidation plans. That, plus the regular murder of Jews, prior to existence of Israel. As in no occupation. In short, your words are empty. What you & the Isalmic world is doing is denying to Israelies their right to defend themselves, as well as deligitimizing their right to live in their historic homeland which was initially occupied and from which they were excluded.

If Turks want to focus on this issue as important in the slightest, then so be it. They are fortunate people to be able to focus on incredibly unimportant matters. Israelies have to focus on survival. And, by the way, they are treated disrespectfully daily. Even Israel's most fundamental right, that of self defence is put into question and she is criticized dailey for that very act.

You need a fresh educational start beginning in kndergarden. The greatest State of all time? Your kidding right? Any success the Ottman's had was a product of that which you unjustifiably criticize Israel for. The difference is that Israel's violence is all about self defence. The Ottman's were viscious murderers. Its time for Turks to be more honest about their history and Israel's conduct. The former was a disgrace and the latter is essential and necessitated by yet more violence by violent adherents of Islam.

As is common amongst the psychologically deformed, their self-image never meets the reality of how they behave. Turkey's obsessive defense of the indefensible Arabs of Gaza is sinister politics motivated, as their recent behavior reveals, another Jew hating Muslim country. It's in their DNA, they are irredeemable. Turkey had their chance to join the side of decency and they reverted to their arrogant, pathetic self-righteous nature.

It's about time Israel take a moral stand and stops prostituting itself to the highest bidder for IAI weapons. Whilst Israel attacks any holocaust deniers, it quietly sits back from any discussion of the armenian genocide committed by Turkey. And whilst the Kurdish people are oppressed by Turkey, Israel aids the Turksih military, but befriends the Kurds of Iran to fight the iranian regime. Israel needs moral courage, not mercenary politics.

Thank you for what you said! you do have more brain than the all israel goverment

What a nonsense was written here as usual concerning the anti semitic behaviour of the Turkish leadership and its 'free' press. Showing Israeli's murdering and raping Arabs on prime time tv paid for by the government is not forgotten nor forgiven by the Israeli public!! Zvi Bar'el seems to forget why we have this problem in the first place, due to muslim radicalisation of the Turkish government and public!! If Ha'aretz does not understand this than this is a pity but above all a loss for the Jews in Turkey as Ha'aretz leaves them at the mercy of rabiate anti semitic programs on tv which can only lead to more violence against the Jews in Turkey proper.

So please don't tell me that it was Islamic Extremism... We have seen these political games many times before. Even in the infamous 31 March event in 1909, it was a political issue arranged by the opposition party against the fresh coup of Ittihat ve Terakki. The public cried for Shariah, but they dispersed the next day after the Government resigned... How so interesting... So please carry your ultra comments to someone who doesn't read history...

To All Those Who Commented "Who Cares?" you are right. You will continue to say so until the day will come when the world says "WE DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU EITHER"

I don't know where you read history, but let me recount for you. 1st of all, it wasn't 1927 but it was 23.12.1930. And it wasn't an Islamic Extremism, but it was a politically arranged plot and those included in the killings were dopers. It all started with the founding of Free Republican Party (SCF) against the ruling Republican People's Party (CHF), which held a totalitarian one party government since the founding of the Republic. When SCF was founded in 12.08.1930, it was received with much fervor in public, and this created a stir CHF. In October 1930 a municipal election was made and SCF took a huge portion of the votes, despite all the distortion of votes (much the same as 1946 elections). It was obvious that SCF would topple CHF's throne, so they put political pressure on SCF to disband itself, and SCF had to do so in 16.11.1930. After this, the people started public demonstrations against the government and in 1 month Menemen happened and a state of Martial Law was enforced..

How can ANYONE suggest that the killing of just 300 innocent children makes IDF inhumane! What audacity!

I guess ı see a few of your comment on hurryet newspaper from tıme to tıme thoug ı dont agrre alwyas on them ı reall lıke to read them and ı am sorry you were shoved because of ertugrul gunay:) selamlar istanbuldan...

I'm bored of this coalition government's stupid acts. How can such a despicable parody can take place in front of cameras with unbelievably absurd comments in Hebrew? This shows that Ayalon is such a coward that he cannot say the least in English, but risk a crucial partner's already weakening support for a boost of public opinion. However, I do have to congratulate the coalition government. Not withstanding any opposition, they have singlehandedly alienated Israel in the region. To those saying "So what?": As a member of a Jewish family that has been living in Istanbul as part of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey since 1492, I won't face any problems after this act because I'm a Turkish Jew. What about you citizens of Israel, who have shown what you want in the region by your choice in the election? Do you feel more secure? For Turkey, Israel is almost "just a country in the region", but I don't think the same holds true for Israel. Shalom, if you know the meaning...

using his undoubted diplomatic skills... In all honesty, why would Israel expect a genocidal demeanour exhibited in Gaza to elicit a deafening silence from Turkey? It is right that Israel pays both a strategic and diplomatic price for its bludgeoning efforts at silencing Gaza. A breakdown in relations with Turkey, directly as a result of Cast Lead combined with the tacit European acceptance of the Goldstone Reports' recommendations is food for war mongers thoughts.

As to the relation between Turkey and Israel, again I'd like to state that we have no grudge against the Jews in particular. We are one of the few nations in who doesn't have a history of violence or racism against Jews. We welcomed the Jews when they were exiled from Spain in 1492 or they escaped from Russia in 1917 or Germany in 1939 etc. Our views against Jews have not changed. But this doesn't mean that we should accept the atrocities caused to Palestinians... Should the case was reversed and it was Palestinians causing atrocities, we'd be against them and protecting Israel. (I hope that it won't happen in any way) but if Israel is caught in an aggression and some Jews have to escape from Israel, believe me that we will welcome them with open arms and share our bread with them as we did in the past.

Mr. JK said that Turkey is moving into İran's orbit. İt's like a bad joke. İt's absolute that He/she have no idea about Turkish history, no idea about Turkish diplomacy, policy and soul. Turkey is based and rised on Ottoman Empire. Turkey is solid and powerfull country.

as Israelis would not forget if an Israeli ambassador was treated in the same way. Then neither will the Turkish people.

As a Turk, I must admit that we are an interesting community. You can kill us, you can steal from us, you can torture us and whatever. We might forgive, we might forget. But if you touch our pride, we won't forget... For example, USA is not loved in our Country and most of us believe that they were the mastermind of the Coups and many dirty deals. But these were very minor compared to the humiliation of Turkish Soldiers by covering their heads with a sack in Northern Iraq. Just this simple action caused a huge outrage from nearly every citizen and USA support in public dropped to its lowest level since the start of history. Nearly 7 years passed, and after Obama's selection, USA support is increasing regularly, but nobody seems to forgot that "sack" event and it's still spoken with hate whenever USA's name comes forward...

No need to comment indeed, against and about that kind of silly, childish, foolish and simple nonsense. It's like a sitcom scene. The problem and issue isn't the couch, or sofa, or chair, the issue is that you plan and do and you give a silly meaning to that funny, comic sitcom and tell the the people orund you proudly, and you damage relations between two nations. Damages in relations between two states are less important than the damages in relations between two nations. I don't want to remind the gooddoings of our ancester in history, but israeli government must remember that if there are any israeli and jewish people in the world, it is by the sake of The Great Ottoman (Osmanlı) State, The Greatest State of all time, The Greatest State that The World has seen. That's why be very very careful what you do and say to turkey. Turkey's main concern is Israeli cruelty and massacre in the middle east. Stop killing people, stop killing innocent children, women, men.

Everyone saying that Turkish people like Jews but not Erdogan and his people. Erdogan is the one who criticize Israel and he is anti-semitic. These are all false claims. What is really happening in the last year is the State of Israel is humiliated State of Turkey by attacking Gaza. If Turkey wouldnt be a moderator and if Olmert wouldnt be talking 5 hours with Erdogan in Ankara just before Gaza operation, many things would be OK between Turkey and Israel now. That was the time when the first time Turkish State felt used by Israel and unlike other countries feared to react to these type of behaivour, Turkey reacted as a regional power. Since that time there is a hidden war between the two states. Those comments Erdogan did are not just his views, it is how the State of Turkey thinks. Turkey is not shifting to East, Turkey is becoming Turkey. Turkish public ll forgive this as it was doing before but state will not forgive this one also as it didnt forgive the previous one.

you "there ARE some writings in Istanbul as"No Armenians, Jews, or Dogs Allowed." Are you kidding? Im living in Istanbul for 32 years. So let me tell where these writings are, or,forget it. just let me know where one of them. If you are right, I will come to Jerusalem and cry in front of the wall and beg to Rabbis to confirm my conversion. Israel always the same card: Anti-semitism. Ok,go on. but, if you remember, no Turks put any Jews into fire because of his or her religion.

As a turkish,we know that Erdogan is an hypocrat,if you stand strong aganist the civil deaths and war crimes ,why dont you say anything about US occupation in Iraq and civil killings everyday.Of course Israel acted like a butcher in Gaza strip last year ,US army are still doing it every single day.So more than half of Turkish public are not supporting Erdogans stupid foreign policy and i beilive not everyone in Israel are standing behind the mass killing operations and all these stupid right wing hawky politicians.A Turk always prefer a Jewish over an Arab ,this is a fact that never change ,so i count on that and beilive the relations will be normalized as soon as the next elections in both countries.

The term there is no eneminess between communities but between governments is said to be true, but need to be revised in context. As a Muslim Turk, I am proud of getting used of idea of accepting all religions and life styles unless they are not targeting each other out of couresity, and presently observing a real peace and acceptance of diversity in believes in Istanbul. I want to address ones living in Israel, not all but especially those enjoying the view when innocents are being killed. You are getting wrong stick on the sense of life, and I feel really sorry not for you, but for your children. And, those who are still awake, aware of the truth. Whose previous families and hopes were saved by our grandfathers and grandmothers when they really in a bitter desperation. Those who we do not feel any unfriendly feelings but make us really disappointed after intentionally increasing numbers of victims. Those who being-but not being pushed- more and more lonely. Please waken others

As I have been reading thru comments by some jews considering Turkey as new enemy, feeling a little sick! we are not your enemy guys! come on ease up yourselves. We only reminded you our ambassador is your guest in your counttry. so, dont mistreat him. As for the TV series, you diplomatic service in Turkey must complain to broadcasting authorities if they see a reason. Turkey is a country of law. we cannot dictate what to broadcast to TV stations. dictators do that. anything unlawful will be dealt with thru the channels of law

relations will b restored to normal in time but Israeli people must remove such people from power since Turks are no enemy. We have always protected jews in our history, however being such a huge nation and digesting an insult would not be good. finally, we all know the culprit is just an idiot. so, Turks still have high opinion for jews.

jeff, Israel and Turkey will always remain friends, but Israel must get rid of these hardliners like Ayalon and Leiberman

Who cares about what turks think about Israel? Was it not them who started critisizing Israel? insulting it? and calling it all the bad names in the world? In fact, it should be up to Turkey to apologize. Israel is a strong country and can survive without turkey's relations.

From a country that tried to wipe us out who cares what they think.

Let's face it, Israel and Turkey are undergoing a public divorce. Turkey with its neo-Islamic agenda has been shut out of Europe (no EU membership forthcoming) and, as a consequence, seeks to cuddle closer with its good "friends" - Iran and Syria (with such friends...). Israel is led by a moron who thinks its ok or cool to shove it in someone's face when they "get out of line". Such boorish behavior is appropriate for populist boors such as Netanyahu, Lieberman, or Ayalon, who are total embarrassments to our beautiful country! But as for the Turks, well - they were the first to "legitmize" genocide, have oppressed the Kurds for decades, and so they have no right - absolutely no right - to point fingers at anyone. Such hypocrisy - and to think we were thinking of going to Istanbul for holiday - forget it! Happy divorce to all!!!!!

Israel foreign policy is a disaster, I'm saying this as a friend of Israel.

Israeli politicians must recognize the leading position of Turkey in middle east in consideration with historical truths such as they are the heir of Ottomans!!!

There are huge numbers of people southern Turkey who are prepared and willing today to marsh towards the occupying state and clean it up and return the holy land to its own original owners. the time is coming too soon. believe me.

still israil is a good ally for turkey

The deputy fm, Danny Ayalon, now says that "on second thought" the deliberate humiliation of the Turkish envoy was a mistake. The problem is that Ayalon (it's difficult to believe that a overinflated fool like him could have been Israel's ambassador to the U.S.) and is boss, the so-called foreign minister, are incapable of having a first thought.

ayalon did something very stupid. ut why does not anybody make any comment aboutturkey's anti-israel stance & when the turkish govt official insulted peres last year???

There is a logical mistake in the reactions of some Israeli friends regarding turkish warnings to Israel. They claim that Turks can not give a lesson to Israel coz they also killed armenians, kurds, greeks etc... Yes that is right. Turks are warrior nation and throughout their long history they killed too many people. It was such a point that chinese people built the Great Wall just to be able to stop Turkish Warriors` attacks. But First, the others also killed turks and as we were stronger we killed more. Second, war was the only rule of the game in the past to solve the problems. There was no democracy, UN, human rights etc... If Israelis want to act like the Turks in the past, they should go on coz they are doing great. But U should know that as Turks we live in the 21.st century...

Expert in making friends with other countries abroad, strike again!

you are projecting your own psychology on us. we are not ashamed by any means. we agree with ayalon that erdogan has been acting unconsciounably. we just think that ayalon made a faux pas in his demarche. is that clear?

It is time that the Prime Minister fired both Lieberman and Ayalon. They have done untold damage to Israel's reputation around the world. Goodwill built up over the years by Hazbarah, tireless efforts by members of the Diaspora have been thrown away. Bibi, you have a big repair job ahead!

....is an incredible embarrassment for the Israeli and the Jewish people in general (since Israel is THE representative of the Jewish people around the world). The only question is: If the Israeli people are a smart people, why would a majority of them vote for a governement, that brings them so much shame...???

I do not condone Mr Ayalon's method for reprimanding the Turkish Government. However, the Turkish government have behaved disgracefully in their active and tacit support of racial hatred. Zvi Bar-el has shown an unbalanced viewpoint, designed I'm sure, just for media attention. It's well past time that he desists from diseminating his anti Israel feelings. If the Turks, with all their multitude of past crimes, can put this to bed, then, in the interests of peace & future benefit to all, so should Mr. Bar-el.

As feeling my-self as a friend of good Jewish people, I am just upset with what happened starting from Monday. Oppositional thinking Israeli friends should remember that there are millions of voters here also in Turkey thinking oppositional to the ruling party. Hope the coming days of 2010 should bring wisdom to all politicians all over the world.

... to send us a message, but we don't like to listen to it, so we condemn automatically instead...

to all israelis here. I want you to think about what would happen if USA somehow stops supporting (or loses means to support - which is entirely possible within the next, say, 50 years) Israel the way it is doing today. no more UN vetoes (USA's vetoes are almost always pro-israel) - occupations will be officially illegal. no more "free" cash. no more promised military equipment. no more states sucking up to israel just because USA is babysitting them. don't get me wrong, I have friends living in Israel and I don't have anything against jewish people (we have a huge community here in istanbul as well, many of which happen to be my friends). but I think it is a VERY bad foreign policy to say "ah ** them, we have USA". oh and humiliating an ambassador because of a TV show? seriously? BBC has TV shows that depict mossad similarly. You should make queen elizabeth sit on the carpet. hell, american TV shows also depict mossad ın a bad way. but right, you can't touch your sugardaddy..

there is no doubt that erdogan has been libeling israel for the past year. there is also no doubt that erdogan had forced the cancellation of a very important military exercise with israel. nor is it deniable that erdogan has been courting western enemies such as iran. there is no doubt either that regardless of what he planned, ayalon walked into a diplomatic trap of his own making.

What you waiting changing our religion or sth?We seen how your deeply knowledge?! about Afghanistan and Iraq,check this sites; http://www.muze500.com/ and info about this person; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behi%C3%A7_Erkin

current islamist extremism is the progeny of a thousand plus five hundred year of islamic imperialist extremism.

because the United States refused to intervene. That was a shock to the zionist system.

I find it funny that Turkish government should be insulted or have any right to condemn Israel. We would like to remained Turkish Government of the genocide atrocities towards the Armenians, the Massacre of the Kurds of recent years and of the childish behavior of there leader Erdogan, who his undiplomatic response towards President Simon Pres at Davos. Why are we forgetting about Turkish televisions in sightment of blood libel programs. Until Turkey will deal with there white elephant. We should not real care weather they forgive us or not, let them grow up and stop behaving like a child. They are an ally that is turning against us, maybe we should cut our loses. I think Israel has enough to stand on that Turkey needs us more that we need them. Cancel all the Turkish contracts that are building road an other infrastructure in Israel. Stop supping the with Military technology that they will end up using in a few years on Israel. Lets see who need who!!!

Our "leaders" do NOT represent us! only themselves and their pockets.

I am really reading with amusement when you say Turkey started all these. From one ascept, you are right. Turkey was one almost the only country in the world who acted upon its humanitarian responsibility and showed a real reaction towards the Israeli massacre in Gaza. If that was an insult to Israel, we are proud of it. You will be deleted of the map just as Mr. Ahmedinejad points not because of your enemies but because of your own stupidity and barbarism. And do not start giving me sermons about Turkis killing Kurds and Armenians, those are disputed past events, but we are living in present and present is full of your atrocities against the human race.

I don't understand why it bothers west so much because Turkey is going to be ally with Syria and Iran, Turkey served NATO by prisoning his own leftist people when there was communism, oppressed his islamist citizens for 80 years for the sake of secularism and what happened? Still waiting at the door of EU to be a member which will never happen. Isn't it Turkey's right to have better relationship with his neighbors, closer economic ties like US does, Russia does or EU does? Don't worry, Turkey won't be a terrorist state or in the axis or evil. As Israel won't lose anything by Turkey's friendship so will Turkey (in fact Turkey's gain will be more), please don't tell the story that Jewish lobby helps Turks for the Armenian Genocide bill, even US recognizes genocide nothing will change.

The "damage", it would seem, had been done when Israel finally decided to defend it's citizens in Sderot during Operation Cast Lead. Erdogan The Clown simply couldn't digest it.

another good reason why EU will not admit Turkey!

The only difference is that an apology was extracted from the Israeli government this time. If Israelis think that Americans don't take umbrage at the defamation they heap, unopposed by any party or persons, on President Obama, they should think again. The fact that a few right-wing Americans, who share the Israeli view of Obama, write in support of this incredible disrespect doesn't tell the story. There is a limit to how much any nation's people can take of bad manners, ignorance and hostility from another country. All of this comes, of course, from touchy, touchy Israelis.

Turkey every year is becoming more fundamentalist which is very worrying for not just Israel but the middle east.

The author is being simplistic, if not simpleminded. I'm friends with scores of anti-islamist Turks in various professions. They are profoundly upset by the reactionary direction taken by the Erdogan government. Hence they understand the action (admittedly childish and destructive) taken by Ayalon. However, their major concern is being shepherded into a doomsday encampment with Syria and Iran, with whom vast numbers of Turks feel little or no connection. That's what angers and frightens them! The opposition to the islamification of Turkey hasn't gelled as yet, but I am confident it will. Just as it has in Iran.

Turkey wants to destroy Israel by bashing them if they defend themselves.

Israel is armed and financed by the US, and it's occupation and illegal settlements protected by the US veto. All that Israeli arrogance and lack of diplomacy will do is just drive Turkey into the Chinese and Russian camp, along with Lebanon, Syria and Iran - the New World Order.

The biggest Israeli mistake is to think Turks like Arabs, and Gul or Erdogan are like the stepbrothers of Mubarak. Shalom.

They were not up in arms when Turkish PM incited against Israel, accused Israel of baseless genocide, made up a fictious story about the 3 poor Pals that were killed (Islamic Jihad Kassam team), called Israel threat to world peace and humiliated Peres in Davos. All in front of the world! So you thought that kind of Diplomacy was acceptable and `mature`? Well, you cant have it both ways. You dont change your `criteria` (as if you have any except for being anti-Israel) based on the side you take dudes. I must then conlclude that what we did to the Turkish embassador is diplomacy par exellence. Diplomats, go back to your old Armchair terrorists role.

Israel is armed and financed by the US, and it's occupation and illegal settlements protected by the US veto. All that Israeli arrogance and lack of diplomacy will do is just drive Turkey into the Chinese and Russian camp, along with Lebanon, Syria and Iran - the New World Order.

No doubt Ayalon behaved like an idiot and should be fired. But talking about Ottomans insultung foreign emmissaries, let's not forgey Erdogan's disgraceful outbursts at Shimon Peres, that's the better analogy. The real damage is that Ayalon's inappropriate behavior and the need to apologize make appropeiate protests against Turkish blood libels on TV and Turkey's Iranian-Syrian-Iraqi stunts more difficult

Antisemitism is so much a racial word, hating jewish due to their ethnicity. At least educated Turks can not be antisemitic as we are living with you hundreds of years and we know you well. You are a society that have seen pains, only pains in thousands of years. The same society, you, killed thousands of civilians in front of the whole world without any humanity sign. Are you taking your historical revenge from these people ? Occupy, kill, occupy, kill .. Is it going to relax you ? This is not humane. This is not defense but only brutal crime. I can imagine how your reaction is going to be: 'But Turks also....'. Too simple.. Should we support you ? Will you give a higher chair in that case ? You are changing so much. This is not good. I have seen an article in your nespapres telling why palestinian kids needs to be killed (any they will be terrorists in your sense) ? Is it your semitism ? if it is, we neither prefer to see a lower or higher chair coming from you.

This is a major mistake by Israel Foreign Ministry. Even in a clear case like this where Israel is 100% right to protest, instead of of Using powerful PR against Erdogan and Turkish TV they messed it up again. It doesnt matter that Erdogan -after his Davos tentrum- should not complain about Diplomatic manners, that is a different issue that could have been addressed among his many hate speaches against the Jews. The Deputy Minister should resign ASAP and Israel should hire a major PR company.

You say that Jews have been seen as a historical ally by the Turkish public since Ottoman times. Yet for several years now there are signs all over Istanbul that say "No Armenians, Jews, or Dogs Allowed." So lets knock off the blame Israel first nonsense.

the turks for the insult to the israelis with the incitement of hate in the turkish media.

as if Israel's relations with Turkey aren't difficult enough at this point.

Israel loses yet another friend and doesn't seem to care. SO tell me, Zionist, how many friends does Israel have left? (And don't bet on America, because you're beginning to lose support here.)

We Won't

Thank you for your insight. It is very hard to get an understanding of a country by just deal with its government. I am glad to hear that everyday Turks are as annoyed by this nonsense as we are.

as much as I think our response to Turkey was childish and disgusting I would also say ....who cares if the Turks don't forgive us. I find the Turk's behaviour towards Israel this past year disgusting and unacceptable. I for one will not forgive Erdogan's boorish and insulting behaviour towards our President Peres at Davos.

The disturbing Israeli strategy of making more enemies and erecting more walls can't bode well for the future. International opinion is clearly shifting, Israel is losing the moral high ground -- and this has little to do with antisemitism. It is rather an informed realization that right-moving Israeli governments place arrogance before conciliation in policy-making. It's a dangerous swagger.

So, do you want to make enemies out of the first muslin country that recognized Israel? you are drunk with power and you need to stop and think what is best in the long run. Your myopic view of what you think you can take and dam everyone else is why the world and allies will continue to loose goodwill towards Israel

then again/ The Israeli public won't forgive Erdogans and the islamic tv interpretation of their people and also see it as a Turkish insult to Ishrael

Yo may be correct about some of the Israeli leaders like Lieberman and Ayalon but the same can be said for your PM Erdogan and his entire staff. I was visiting the Aya Sofiya this past summer in Istanbul. Right at the exit area we were walking to go out surrounded by many tourists from all over when suddenly a few man and women dressed in black suits shoved all of us to the walls. While we were scared trying to understand what is going on I saw the Tourism minister Ertugrul Gunay walking and going in. In the USA I have bumped to Mrs. Clinton while she was senator, I traveled siting next to John Corzine, Charles Wrangle, Henry Kissinger on Delta shuttle. I was never shoved, They had small conversations with me. I discussed Football with Mr. Kissinger. It was the year Turkish team won 3rd place in Korea. See the difference gulum.

You say that current Islamism was not born of chaos. It was created by two nations insinuating that it was Israel?s fault. As a 60 year old born and raised in Turkey American I know something about Turkish History. In 1927 near my hometown of Menemen a group of ultra Ismaist mullahs in black robes beheaded a young military officer named Kubilay while shouting Allah Ekber. They were trying to start an Islamist coup but the military intervened. In 1927 there was no Israel. Islamic political movements continued in Turkey ever since. The 1960 military coup and the following military coups were all to prevent Turkey to fall into the hands of Turkish Mullahs such as Fethullah Gulen (who is on a self imposed exile in the USA). can you explain to me your theory? How Israel caused Islamist extremism in Turkey in 1927 before it was created?

I know what I will suggest is a long shot and maybe close to impossible. Do you remember when Hrant Dink was murdered and huge crowds joined in protesting in demonstration at Taksim square wearing masks of Hrant Dink and carrying banners that read WE ARE ALL HRANT DINK (Hepimiz Hrant Dinkiz). It had a big impact inside and outside Turkey. How about starting a campaign to boycott Kurtlar vadisi (VALLEY OF WOLVES) in a loud and clear way demonstrating at Taksim, Harbiye,Sisli. You can organize this using Facebook, Twitter etc. I can assure you it would at least positively change the public perception of Turkey in Israel and even in Europe. HODRI MEYDAN Ali and all the Turkish friends.

obama and administration have no reason to love bibi, leiberman nor ayalon...find another iron wall

I hope that the two nations will continue to be friends. I hope that soon both Turkey and Israel will have better leadership than those who created this mess. I hope that Turkey will get back on the secular and modern path that Ataturk prescribed as his statue in Izmir he points to the west Turkey adjusts its direction.

Turks are looking for reason to break their relations with Israel and the west simply because they are now part of the new islamic alliance Iran-Turkey-Syria and we're talking not only trade relations but military too,guess where turks will stand in 20 years,not on Israeli side for sure. Turkey is the new enemy and the sooner israeli politicians realize that the better. Openly Anti-Semitic on any front and openly supportive of terrorist islamic regimes and organizations

I wil never forgive Mr. Erdogan for those unfair, false accusations that he made at Davos. But I will continue to support the modernist, secular Follower of Ataturk Turkish people and their fight against Islamists as long as I live.

Their current government. Yet actions of the US and Israel over the last decade have made it very hard for them to support either the US or Israel. The United States and Israel each have enemies which do them more harm than any Islamist. Those enemies are the US and Israel. It is hard to understand, when you are a beefy 300 pound strapping bully, that beating up on 98 pound weaklings conveys the wrong message. Sure, you always leave the 98 pound weakling bleeding in the ditch. And because of your overwhelming might you seem hardly hurt. But what happens when the 98 pound weakling gets back up again and is defiant? It was only 70 years ago when Communists and Capitalists decided to bury the hatchet until the monster Hitler had been dealt with. Even the most disparate may agree when the threat is both ruthless and ignorant of the consequences of it's actions. Current Islamist extremism was not born of chaos, It was created by two nations. . . And they don't comprehend that.

Israels purposeful humiliation of the Turkish Ambassador left no questions or ambiguity in what Israel was doing. They wanted to send a message and they did send a message, loud and clear. Israel is very good at this sort of thing. They aren't so good at common sense or civilized behavior. Perhaps it is because they use "terrorists" as their exemplar rather than other nations.

The turks are upset. They should not make TV shows that are inflamatory and then make stupid public comments after. If they do, they can expect ISrael to stand up and hit back. Simple no

If you read the Turkish press, you would see that many in Turkey understands that Erdogan have a responsibility in this mess, as well. e started a biased criticism of Israel some time ago. Moreover, we have a clear understanding of the government of a country and its people. It would be stupid to have sour feelings against our Jewish friends just because some weird FM acts in a disgraceful way. We are friends of Jews and we will always stay that way. This article is way too pessimistic.

Turkey is moving into Iran's orbit and whatever Israel does will never be enough for the likes of Erdogan and Gul. They've already proved they cannot be considered honest brokers anymore in any negotiations. Not to mention their tacit approval of the screening of blatantly anti-semitic shows with nary a condemnation. I mean come on....Sorry the Turkish people are offended, but this is the government you elected and as 'unprofessional' as the foreign ministry has been, they've been getting a lot of help from the Turkish government. If Turkey wants to French-kiss Achmedinajad, don't expect Israel to trust you.

I fear, Mr. Barel, that you are right. May I pose a question to Mr. Ayalon and colleagues: What the heck were you thinking? The neutral observer may well wonder: is the heretofore nominally solid middle ground in Israel fraying at the edges? Is the border between common sense and political expression becoming blurred?

The Turkish public "won't forgive"? Are we self-haters? Are we to "forgive" the show insinuating what the IDF - my family - is doing is inhumane? Are we to "forgive" ... or just do what the terrorists want - slink away and die, after they say any lie they want about us? I think you have your priorities very wrong in this analysis.

Iran & Syria are their allies

Too many idiots in the Israeli government. This clown Ayalon should be publicly humiliated. That is not going to happen as he is probably needed to hold on to one more miserable coalition of one kind or another Israeli style.

... to "That will be very difficult for the Turkish public to forgive" will be a resounding "So what?"

it seems like israeli politicians are looking adult but in their minds they do not get far beyond a 4 year old child! that is a big big danger to israel itself and to the rest of the world. mabee the obama administration should take over the ruling power until some grown up people are found to lead israel.