.Turkey: Flotilla raid was cause for war
Ankara - Turkey's prime minister said on Monday that Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last year was "cause for war" but added that his country showed "patience" and refrained from taking any action.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the comments before departing for a visit to Egypt later on Monday, where he will seek to boost his government's already high standing in the Arab world - a position he has achieved in part by challenging Israel on the world stage.
Erdogan, intent on broadening Turkey's influence in the Middle East and the Arab world, will also visit Tunisia and Libya, two other countries where popular uprisings have ousted autocratic leaders.
Erdogan told Al-Jazeera television in a recent interview that the Israeli raid, which killed eight Turks and a Turkish American on board a Turkish ship trying to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, occurred in international waters and was "unlawful".
His comments were carried by Turkey's state-run Anatolia news agency late on Sunday.
"It is a cause for war, but we decided to act in line with Turkey's grandeur and showed patience," Erdogan said.
An Israeli government spokesperson was not immediately available for comment, but Israel insists its naval commandos acted in self-defence after being attacked by some of the activists.
Israel has expressed regret for the loss of lives aboard the flotilla and said on Tuesday it was time for the two countries to restore their former close ties.
A UN report into the raid, released earlier this month, said Israel's naval blockade was legitimate but accused Israel of using "excessive and unreasonable" force in the raid.
Turkey has been angered over Israel's refusal to apologise for the raid.
In response, Turkey this month suspended its military ties with Israel, expelled top Israeli diplomats, pledged to campaign in support of the Palestinians' statehood bid and vowed to send the Turkish navy to escort Gaza-bound aid ships in the future.
On Monday, a Turkish newspaper, Sabah, said three navy ships have begun preparations ahead of their deployment in the east Mediterranean to escort ships that would carry aid to the Gaza Strip in the international waters of the Mediterranean.
Turkey's military would not comment, and Turkey's foreign ministry said it had no information on any possible deployment.
Sabah did not say when the ships would set sail.
Israel insists there is no need for aid to Gaza since it eased restrictions on imports through land crossings, labeling the flotillas political provocations.
Erdogan's visit to Egypt coincides with increasingly troubled ties between Cairo and Israel following an attack on the Israeli embassy there.
Israel fears that it is being left increasingly isolated by the Arab Spring, which is changing the power dynamics in the region, alongside tense relations former ally Turkey.
Tensions
Erdogan "will try to impress [the Arab) public opinion by giving messages clearly emphasising Turkey's rift with Israel", said Mustafa Turkes of the Middle East Technical University's International Relations Department.
Kamer Kasim of the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization said: "The Israeli-Egyptian relations are undergoing change. Israel cannot afford tensions with both Turkey and Egypt.
"It will have to review its security policies in the Middle East."
A statement from Erdogan's office said Turkey would emphasise its support to Egypt, Tunisia and Libya in their transition to democracy.
In Egypt, Erdogan will oversee the signing of an agreement to establish a joint council to lead efforts toward a closer "strategic partnership," as well as deals to encourage cooperation, investments and trade, a statement from the Turkish prime minister's office said.
"Our hope now is that the Arab Spring does not turn into a harsh winter," Erdogan told Al-Jazeera, according to Anatolia. "These countries are trying to transform into democratic system from autocratic systems. We have to lend them a helping hand in their efforts."
Erdogan had hoped to be able to cross into Gaza from Egypt, but government officials said Sunday his scheduled would be limited to the three countries.
"I know that my brothers in Gaza are waiting for me. I too long for Gaza," Erdogan told Al-Jazeera. "Sooner or later, if God allows it, I will go to Gaza.
Erdogan travels to Tunisia on Wednesday and to Libya on Thursday.
Turkey is also eager to resume investments in Libya, where Turkish contractors were involved in 214 building projects worth more than $15bn before the rebellion that ousted strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
Bilateral trade with Libya was $2.4bn in Turkey's favor before the uprising.
News24
Is this guy on drugs or what? Running the blockade was the act of war, and it's Turkey that should be apologizing.
The Arab Parallel Universe, APU, is a very special place where the normal rules and norms either don't apply or only apply in reverse.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the comments before departing for a visit to Egypt later on Monday, where he will seek to boost his government's already high standing in the Arab world - a position he has achieved in part by challenging Israel on the world stage.
Erdogan, intent on broadening Turkey's influence in the Middle East and the Arab world, will also visit Tunisia and Libya, two other countries where popular uprisings have ousted autocratic leaders.
Erdogan told Al-Jazeera television in a recent interview that the Israeli raid, which killed eight Turks and a Turkish American on board a Turkish ship trying to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, occurred in international waters and was "unlawful".
His comments were carried by Turkey's state-run Anatolia news agency late on Sunday.
"It is a cause for war, but we decided to act in line with Turkey's grandeur and showed patience," Erdogan said.
An Israeli government spokesperson was not immediately available for comment, but Israel insists its naval commandos acted in self-defence after being attacked by some of the activists.
Israel has expressed regret for the loss of lives aboard the flotilla and said on Tuesday it was time for the two countries to restore their former close ties.
A UN report into the raid, released earlier this month, said Israel's naval blockade was legitimate but accused Israel of using "excessive and unreasonable" force in the raid.
Turkey has been angered over Israel's refusal to apologise for the raid.
In response, Turkey this month suspended its military ties with Israel, expelled top Israeli diplomats, pledged to campaign in support of the Palestinians' statehood bid and vowed to send the Turkish navy to escort Gaza-bound aid ships in the future.
On Monday, a Turkish newspaper, Sabah, said three navy ships have begun preparations ahead of their deployment in the east Mediterranean to escort ships that would carry aid to the Gaza Strip in the international waters of the Mediterranean.
Turkey's military would not comment, and Turkey's foreign ministry said it had no information on any possible deployment.
Sabah did not say when the ships would set sail.
Israel insists there is no need for aid to Gaza since it eased restrictions on imports through land crossings, labeling the flotillas political provocations.
Erdogan's visit to Egypt coincides with increasingly troubled ties between Cairo and Israel following an attack on the Israeli embassy there.
Israel fears that it is being left increasingly isolated by the Arab Spring, which is changing the power dynamics in the region, alongside tense relations former ally Turkey.
Tensions
Erdogan "will try to impress [the Arab) public opinion by giving messages clearly emphasising Turkey's rift with Israel", said Mustafa Turkes of the Middle East Technical University's International Relations Department.
Kamer Kasim of the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization said: "The Israeli-Egyptian relations are undergoing change. Israel cannot afford tensions with both Turkey and Egypt.
"It will have to review its security policies in the Middle East."
A statement from Erdogan's office said Turkey would emphasise its support to Egypt, Tunisia and Libya in their transition to democracy.
In Egypt, Erdogan will oversee the signing of an agreement to establish a joint council to lead efforts toward a closer "strategic partnership," as well as deals to encourage cooperation, investments and trade, a statement from the Turkish prime minister's office said.
"Our hope now is that the Arab Spring does not turn into a harsh winter," Erdogan told Al-Jazeera, according to Anatolia. "These countries are trying to transform into democratic system from autocratic systems. We have to lend them a helping hand in their efforts."
Erdogan had hoped to be able to cross into Gaza from Egypt, but government officials said Sunday his scheduled would be limited to the three countries.
"I know that my brothers in Gaza are waiting for me. I too long for Gaza," Erdogan told Al-Jazeera. "Sooner or later, if God allows it, I will go to Gaza.
Erdogan travels to Tunisia on Wednesday and to Libya on Thursday.
Turkey is also eager to resume investments in Libya, where Turkish contractors were involved in 214 building projects worth more than $15bn before the rebellion that ousted strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
Bilateral trade with Libya was $2.4bn in Turkey's favor before the uprising.
News24
Is this guy on drugs or what? Running the blockade was the act of war, and it's Turkey that should be apologizing.
The Arab Parallel Universe, APU, is a very special place where the normal rules and norms either don't apply or only apply in reverse.
posted by madtom at 9:38 PM
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