ANKARA (Today’s Zaman)–Turkey’s prime minister accused Israel on Monday of threatening peace in the region and using disproportionate force against Palestinians.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Israel to stop violating Lebanon’s airspace and territorial waters. He also called on the UN Security Council to put same pressure on Israel regarding nuclear arms as it does on Iran.
“We can never remain silent in the face of Israel’s attitude. … It has disproportionate power and it is using that at will while refusing to abide by UN resolutions. We can never accept this picture,” Erdogan said. “These steps threaten global peace.”
He spoke a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Hariri described Israel as an enemy that threatens Lebanon’s security.
“Today, Israel continues its violation of our airspace and waters,” Hariri said.
Erdogan promised to support Lebanon’s case against Israel at the United Nations. Turkey is a temporary member of the Security Council.
Discussing the possibility of war to make Iran drop its nuclear program, Erdogan said, “The region cannot accept a new Iraq syndrome.” Turkey has long defended Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful use.
“Those who are warning Iran over nuclear weapons are not making the same warnings to Israel,” Erdogan said. “Five permanent members of the Security Council must be just. Israel has not denied the existence of its nuclear arsenal; on the contrary it has admitted it.”
Erdogan also criticized Israel for an airstrike in Gaza on Sunday.
“What is your excuse this time?” he asked.
On Sunday, three members of the militant group Islamic Jihad were killed in an Israeli strike.
Cross-border exchanges have escalated in recent days. The Israeli military said there have been 15 rocket attacks from Gaza this month, compared to eight in December. No Israeli casualties have been reported.
Erdogan accused Israel of using of white phosphorus shells in its offensive in Gaza last year. “No one can claim that phosphorus shells are not weapons of mass destruction,” he said.
Turkey’s ties with Israel have been strained by Erdogan’s frequent criticism of the Jewish state’s use of force against Palestinians, as well as during the 2006 war against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
Someone get this man a laxative!
no no – Red BULL.. Despite the injustice at Gaza… this could mean, Israel will change its policy toward Turkey and push for Armenian Genocide recognition as a slap..this guy is our ticket 2 long awaited dream ‘genocide recognition’
Meanwhile, Isreal is selling arms to Azerbadeljan.
I am actually impressed with Erdogan standing up for what is right and condoning the actions of Israel. From the Armenian Perspective, Turkey is truly positioning itself as a regional power house. Armenia has to be super careful with its dealings with Turkey. They can easily manipulate any situation in their favor.
The Israeli lobby will not rush to support us this April 24, It would be shortsighted of them to do so in a short amount of time. Next year if relations between Turkey and Israel do not improve then yes maybe more Jewish support will be seen.
For now Armenia has to hold tight and be patient with this whole protocol situation. These are very dangerous times for our Armenian Nation including the Diaspora..
still he is no 1 depandable person for them.
This is a twoface turkish fool.
Turkey wants to lead the middle east countries including Iran. Turkey wants to lead coalition force in middle east.
Does this clown ever speak without blowing an artery? Every picture of him shows him either screaming or making Hitleresque hand gesture reminiscent of the Third Reich speech days.
Furthermore, as mentioned before. I’m willing to bet as soon as Iran completes its Nuclear agenda and becomes a regional nuclear power with weapons, Turkey will bail on NATO and pull a 180 to join up with Iran. Muslims will always remain Muslims, Turkey has pulled the wool over U.S’s and Israel’s eyes for the past 85 years, it’s waiting on Iran’s power move to lift the veil.
It goes without saying that the jews will prove and immovable obstacle to the recognition of our genocide. The denouncements by Erdogan are nothing short of political posturing, a barking dog seldom bites. His lexicon in the condemnation of Israel is a recycled version of similar declarations made by previous Arab and non aligned governments in the 60-70-80’s . Israel is not a threat to world peace unless it is seriously challenged by some outside power who is willing to throw the gauntlet at them . What will Turkey do ?; she is hardly in a position to challenge Israel other than offering pin prick calls. With such ineffective pronouncements Erdogan is simply reminding us , those in the region, turkey is filling the void and space of a key player in the area of Israili dominance. But having said so, any rift between these two states is most welcome.
You think so Sevag? I believe this is all political game. That will be all Armenian’s dream, but lets wait and see!!! Seeing is believing….
Erdogan is defending Lebanon, but Lebanon has recognized Armenian genocide.
Turkey is a threat to human race. Do you see how tricky turks keep themselves from sinking in the water. Turks have no friends…Turks will one day side with Palestinians, the next day they will side with Israel. Turks will fool the Americans, Russians , the European Union and the Arab world. They will kill, steal, murder and rape others and pretend to be angels..
You keep saying Armenian Genocide , everyone has memorised that story. There is something to remember, Armenians are not the only nation in the world. You only think of yourself but Turkey does not. We also think of other oppressed nations. If you have a little bit of conscience, you would accept that Israel’s actions are a crime against humanity and there are lots of unjust things going on. What is the relevance of so-called Armenian genocide as far as Israel is concerned?
It is only a TV show nothing else . Erdogan is angry because USA and Israel are creating a kurdish state in the north of Iraq .
Hye, a Turkey vs Israel is the pot calling the kettle black. A Turkey committed their Genocide agains the Christian Armenia nation – terrorizing, slaughtering, kidnapping, and more, in the most inhuman actions against humans. In the animal world animals kill only for food. Turks slaughtered, debased, in the vilest means humans – innocent men, women, children. Today Turks, with all their denials, still abide their ‘foreign policies’ via bullying tactics.
One hundred years, and Turks continue to hide their Armenian Genocide from their own history books, lying to their own citizenry yet educating their citizenry that the Armenians of today shall be hated, despised, thus a senseless slaughter of Hrant Dink, and more. Turks believe Armenians were deserving to be eliminated from their own lands of nearly 4,000 years. Unbelieveable!
Turk is still in pursuit of Armenians the world over, generations following their Turkish Genocide – thus the Turkish Genocide continues all these years to date: 1890s – 2010. Turk leaderships continue in their Ottoman mentality – sadly, they are proud to be. Even today, seeking to enter into the EU (civilized nations’organization of Europe) bullying, rather than earning the status as a truly civilized nation. In all the centuries as a nation, Turkey has yet to be able to join with civilized nations of the world… even into 2010. Sadly, Turkey cannot question its own actions – actions similar to an immature child, yet to grow up and mature.
As a perpetrator, Turkey, has not been punished… Seems the victims – of all Genocides – the recipient of all terrors and vilest acts of inhumanity are cruellly punished – even by the civilized nations of the world … while a guilty Turk, still pursues the victim nation into today. Sadly, the cycle of Genocides continues into 2010 – Darfur, and today, the Kurds?
Manooshag
Turkish Citizen, you are a perfect example of your government’s brain washing tactics which has been performed on many Turks for the past 50 years. If Turkey is such a “noble state” let it first and foremost take proper responsibility regarding its own genocidal murder campaign it committed more than 90 years ago killing more than 1.5 million Christian Armenians.
Is this how Turkey “thinks of other nations”? By denying its own Genocidal campaigns for more than 90 years? Don’t speak about having a “conscience” until you and your government have recognized your past crimes then paid the reparation YOU OWE TO THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE AND NATION. ONLY THEN, can you talk self-righteously about Turks and the Turkish government having a conscience and being “noble”. Until you apologize to the Armenian people, the Armenian nation, and pay your reparation for the CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY that Turks and the Turkish government have committed, only then can you speak legitimately about Turkish values, until that happens you and your Government remain MURDERERS, CRIMINALS, and THIEVES! Don’t worry about Israel’s crimes, first worry about your own people’s and governments crimes against humanity, you are a whole nation of hypocrites blinded by your own governments brain washing and lies. But the truth WILL come and you WILL pay for your crimes.
Turks always play aggressively, backgammon or politics. They know no other gear. That’s why they need to slaughter their own minorities when they’re stymied internationally