ANKARA (RT)—Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he will gladly return an award given to him by a Jewish-American association a decade ago in a letter released by his office, which also called on the US group to condemn Israel’s government policies in Gaza.
The New York-based American Jewish Congress said in a letter to Erdogan last week that he had become the world’s “most virulent anti-Israeli leader” and it demanded that he return the prize. He had been given the award partly for his efforts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians 10 years ago.
“Prime Minister Erdogan will be glad to return the award given back in 2004,” Turkey’s ambassador to Washington Serdar Kilic said in the letter addressed to American Jewish Congress President Jack Rosen.
Erdogan’s office released a copy of the letter to the media, describing it as Turkey’s official response.
“The absence of this award will not prevent Prime Minister Erdogan from resolutely fighting against terrorism, working towards the peaceful solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and upholding the safety and well-being of the Jewish community in Turkey,” the letter continued.
Rosen’s open letter to Erdogan had cited the Turkish leader’s recent comments that Israel had “surpassed Hitler in barbarism” through its attacks on Gaza. However, there is widespread anger in Turkey at Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
“Attempts to depict Prime Minister Erdogan’s legitimate criticisms of the Israeli government’s attacks on civilians as expressions of anti-Semitism is an obvious distortion and an effort to cover up the historical wrongdoings of the Israeli government,” the ambassador’s letter said.
“We would like to urge you to publicly condemn the Israeli government’s policies that have caused public outrage around the world,” it added.
The Palestinian death toll in the conflict is climbing and has already exceeded 1,100, while the number of wounded is over 6,200, with the majority of those civilians. Over 50 Israelis have been killed since the beginning of the Gaza offensive on July 8.
The US State Department called Erdogan’s earlier remarks, in which he likened an Israeli MP to Hitler and said the Jewish state was terrorizing the region, “offensive and wrong.”
Turkey, a member of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, was once Israel’s closest regional ally. Washington considered it a credible broker in the Middle East peace process.
Relations between Ankara and Washington soured when Obama failed to use force against Syria, which led to Erdogan ceasing to hold phone conversations with the US President.
Erdogan, a supporter of rebel fighters opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government, was upset, he said, that the United States did not follow through with military action against Damascus amid the fierce civil war there.
“In the past, I was calling him (Obama) directly. Because I can’t get the expected results on Syria, our foreign ministers are now talking to each other,” Erdogan said in an interview with the pro-government ATV channel.
There have been protests in Turkey following Israel’s actions in Gaza. Thousands gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Ankara on July 18, with pro-Palestinian activists chanting slogans such as “Hail to the resistance from Istanbul to Gaza,” “Murderer Israel, get out of Palestine,” and “Strike, strike Hamas; strike against Israel.” Demonstrators also waved Turkish and Palestinian flags.
Erdogan is expected to win the August 10 presidential election in Turkey. Should he win the race, many analysts expect him to be more assertive with Turkish foreign policy.
I don’t trust nor Turkey neither Israel. Both countries had always friendly relationship with each other and will always continue to have one. All this is a big farce and comedy and nothing will alter this friendship and their interests.
A new Turkish shepherd will be raised from ashes, where he will guide his faithful humble beloved herds!
Them are fightin words where I come from!
Turkey’s trade and cooperation are intact, NO one believes the fabricated enemosity between Turkey and Israel, Erdogan should have been an actor instead of politician.
It is a correct step taken by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. Israel must be punished for the kiilings in Gaza. It is a brutal act.
Erdogan always looks so angry and aggressive. Guess that gives him an ounce of credibility? People think he MUST be right.
DRUGS
To Dr. Hernon Mihranian,
Yes, I agree it is a correct step and this shows that he respects the rights of the Palestinian people’s self determination. Moreover, he supports the self determination of the Turks in Cyprus as well. “But” this person plays double standards as he is utterly against the self determination of Armenians in Artsakh. That is because he is a fanatic person who does not respect other religious people’s rights. Please let us not view him as a hero defending humanity.
Not surprised. His party is Islamic and Turkey under his premiership is very pro-Islamic and even supported Palestinians. They are trying to gain prestige among Muslim countries but many people within Turkey are more pro-Western.