ISRAEL SEEKS RECONCILIATION, TURKEY REBUFFS

Gaza, 25 Rabiul akhir 1434/7 March 2013 (MINA) – As U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, visits Ankara, a new crisis put shadows over tensioned relation between Turkey and Israel after the statements made by Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which he called the Zionism as “a crime against humanity”.

Erdogan remarks met sharp criticism in Israel, prompting views that the crisis between the two parties will not end in the near future, even if Israel apologized for killing nine Turks activists at board of Marmara in the international water, according to Alresalah.ps reports monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA), Thursday.

Relations with Turkey have been a strategic treasure for Israel on the military and political levels, which drives Israel to exert every effort for getting such relations back.

Also Read: RAED SALAH: PALESTINIANS EXPECT THIRD INTIFADA IF ISRAELI ATTACKS CONTINUE

Osman , the professor of political science at An-Najah National University, said that Israel is deeply interested to get relations with Turkey to the normal condition just like before the formation of Recep Tayyip Erdogan government in 2002, noting that before that time, Israel-Turkey relation reach its peak in golden age.

Osman explained that the picture changed after the victory of Turkish Freedom and Justice Party whereas Turkish attitudes began to change over the Palestinian cause until the incident of Marmara.

He added that Israel needs the Islamic world for diplomatic and economic relations especially after its relation has deteriorated with Egypt and Tunisia.

Also Read: ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE KILLS 3 HAMAS MEMBERS IN GAZA

”Having its own political weight , turkey does not change its policies to satisfy the U.S. , but it defends its attitudes and this make it difficult to change its attitude toward Israel till the latter fulfills all its terms.” He said.

In relation to the comments on Erdogan’s comments by the U.S. secretary of state , John Kerry, he said that Turkey has strong ties with the United States as being a part of NATO countries, but America always defend Israel as a strategy.

Previous Israeli deputy of foreign minister, Danny Ayalon, claimed that all attempts in 2012 to restore relations with Turkey have failed because Ankara government opposed them all.

Also Read: Arab Ministerial Delegation Formed for US Decision on Jerusalem (Al-Quds) to Hold Meeting in Jordan, January 6

Israel seeks to make reconciliation with Turkey in order to restore strategic cooperation between the two countries in military and intelligence fields.

Israeli has tried to compensate ties with turkey with alliances with Balkans and Eastern Europe. However, former chief of Mossad, Meir Dagan, said while being in office ” these relations failed to achieve benefits Israeli used to get from fruitful cooperation with Turkey in these areas. (T/P02/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)