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ISRAELIS PLAN TO PUNISH TURKEY
Irish Times
Sept 9 2011
MARK WEISS in Jerusalem
ISRAELI FOREIGN minister Avigdor Lieberman has drawn up a number of
proposals to "punish" Turkey, including possible support for Kurdish
rebels and co-operating with the Armenian lobby in the US.
Foreign ministry officials will meet in Jerusalem today to consider
Israel's response to Ankara's expulsion last week of the Israeli
ambassador and the cancellation of bilateral defence contacts.
Relations between the former close allies deteriorated sharply this
week with bellicose comments from Turkish prime minister Tayyip
Erdogan threatening that Turkish warships will escort future aid
flotillas to Gaza.
Turkey also vowed to boost naval patrols in the eastern Mediterranean
after Israel refused to apologise for the deaths of nine Turks in a
commando raid last year on the MV Mavi Marmara as it tried to breach
Israel's maritime blockade on Gaza.
Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot reported that Israel's
hardline foreign minister has decided to go on the offensive,
believing that Turkey is not really interested in an Israeli apology
as it seeks to boost its standing in the Muslim world.
"We'll exact a price from Erdogan that will prove to him that messing
with Israel doesn't pay off," Mr Lieberman was quoted as saying.
"Turkey better treat us with respect and common decency."
The measures proposed by Mr Lieberman include meetings with
representatives of the militant PKK Kurdish group, which has recently
stepped up its attacks on the Turkish military.
He also wants to promote a diplomatic campaign where Israeli missions
worldwide will report illegal Turkish moves against minorities.
In another move that is bound to anger Ankara, Israel will step up
co-operation with the Armenian lobby in the US pressing for worldwide
recognition that Turkey was responsible for perpetrating genocide
against the Armenian people during the years 1915-17.
The office of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a
number of options are being considered, but stressed that no final
decision has been taken on measures against Turkey.
"Our policy is and will remain to prevent the deterioration of
relations with Turkey and to ease the tensions between the two
countries," a statement read.
Deputy prime minister Dan Meridor said Israel was not interested in
a war of words.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0910/1224303851405.html
From: Baghdasarian
Irish Times
Sept 9 2011
MARK WEISS in Jerusalem
ISRAELI FOREIGN minister Avigdor Lieberman has drawn up a number of
proposals to "punish" Turkey, including possible support for Kurdish
rebels and co-operating with the Armenian lobby in the US.
Foreign ministry officials will meet in Jerusalem today to consider
Israel's response to Ankara's expulsion last week of the Israeli
ambassador and the cancellation of bilateral defence contacts.
Relations between the former close allies deteriorated sharply this
week with bellicose comments from Turkish prime minister Tayyip
Erdogan threatening that Turkish warships will escort future aid
flotillas to Gaza.
Turkey also vowed to boost naval patrols in the eastern Mediterranean
after Israel refused to apologise for the deaths of nine Turks in a
commando raid last year on the MV Mavi Marmara as it tried to breach
Israel's maritime blockade on Gaza.
Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot reported that Israel's
hardline foreign minister has decided to go on the offensive,
believing that Turkey is not really interested in an Israeli apology
as it seeks to boost its standing in the Muslim world.
"We'll exact a price from Erdogan that will prove to him that messing
with Israel doesn't pay off," Mr Lieberman was quoted as saying.
"Turkey better treat us with respect and common decency."
The measures proposed by Mr Lieberman include meetings with
representatives of the militant PKK Kurdish group, which has recently
stepped up its attacks on the Turkish military.
He also wants to promote a diplomatic campaign where Israeli missions
worldwide will report illegal Turkish moves against minorities.
In another move that is bound to anger Ankara, Israel will step up
co-operation with the Armenian lobby in the US pressing for worldwide
recognition that Turkey was responsible for perpetrating genocide
against the Armenian people during the years 1915-17.
The office of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a
number of options are being considered, but stressed that no final
decision has been taken on measures against Turkey.
"Our policy is and will remain to prevent the deterioration of
relations with Turkey and to ease the tensions between the two
countries," a statement read.
Deputy prime minister Dan Meridor said Israel was not interested in
a war of words.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0910/1224303851405.html
From: Baghdasarian