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AND THIS IS ISRAEL'S 'PLAN B'
Hurriyet
Sept 9 2011
Turkey
The Israeli press is reporting that the Israeli government is preparing
to take tough measures in reprisal for the sanctions Turkey has
announced. The reports suggest that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor
Lieberman, an extreme right-winger, is planning radical steps such
as collaboration with the Armenian lobby in the United States and
contacts with the PKK.
According to a report published in Yedioth Ahronot, senior officials
of the Israeli Foreign Ministry met yesterday to prepare for the
meeting to be held with Lieberman on Saturday.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent comments about shipping
in the eastern Mediterranean and the course Israel should take will
reportedly be discussed at the meeting [on Saturday].
The daily reported that, at yesterday's meeting, Foreign Ministry
officials concluded that, at this point, Turkey is not waiting for an
apology from Israel and that Ankara wants to improve its stature in the
Muslim world by taking advantage of the tension that has been created.
The report adds that, for this reason, rather than seeking new formulas
for apologizing to Turkey, Lieberman has chosen to focus on steps to
punish Ankara.
The daily reports that the Israeli Foreign Ministry has decided to
take a series of steps in the spheres of diplomacy and security in
this regard.
The first step to be taken is reportedly a travel warning to all
Israeli war veterans to avoid visiting Turkey.
'Genocide,' 'Terrorism' Cards
Another planned step is reportedly collaboration with "Turkey's
historic rivals, the Armenians."
The report says that Lieberman is expected to meet with leaders of
the Armenian lobby during his visit to the United States this month
and propose cooperation against Turkey in Congress.
The report also claims that Lieberman is planning to hold meetings
with PKK leaders in Europe with an eye to "cooperating" with the
terrorist organization "in every possible area. "It adds that, at
these meetings, PKK members may ask Israel for military aid in the
form of arms supplies and training.
The daily quotes Lieberman as saying: We will make Erdogan pay a price
that will prove to him that messing with Israel does not pay off."
According to the report, Lieberman also said. "It would be beneficial
for Turkey to treat us with respect."
'Grave, Serious Threat'
Another comment about Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks on shipping
in the eastern Mediterranean came from Deputy Israeli Prime Minister
Dan Meridor today.
Meridor described Ankara's statement that "aid ships travelling
to the Gaza Strip will be accompanied by warships" as a "grave and
serious threat."
In a statement to the Israeli Army Radio, Meridor said: "The remarks
of the Turkish prime minister are harsh and grave. However, it would
not be right to engage in a war of words with him via threats of war."
He added that the best response is silence and expressed the hope
that this incident will blow over.
The Israeli deputy minister also said that the UN's Mavi Marmara
report has refuted Turkey's claims that the Israeli blockade [of Gaza]
is a violation of international law.
Hurriyet
Sept 9 2011
Turkey
The Israeli press is reporting that the Israeli government is preparing
to take tough measures in reprisal for the sanctions Turkey has
announced. The reports suggest that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor
Lieberman, an extreme right-winger, is planning radical steps such
as collaboration with the Armenian lobby in the United States and
contacts with the PKK.
According to a report published in Yedioth Ahronot, senior officials
of the Israeli Foreign Ministry met yesterday to prepare for the
meeting to be held with Lieberman on Saturday.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent comments about shipping
in the eastern Mediterranean and the course Israel should take will
reportedly be discussed at the meeting [on Saturday].
The daily reported that, at yesterday's meeting, Foreign Ministry
officials concluded that, at this point, Turkey is not waiting for an
apology from Israel and that Ankara wants to improve its stature in the
Muslim world by taking advantage of the tension that has been created.
The report adds that, for this reason, rather than seeking new formulas
for apologizing to Turkey, Lieberman has chosen to focus on steps to
punish Ankara.
The daily reports that the Israeli Foreign Ministry has decided to
take a series of steps in the spheres of diplomacy and security in
this regard.
The first step to be taken is reportedly a travel warning to all
Israeli war veterans to avoid visiting Turkey.
'Genocide,' 'Terrorism' Cards
Another planned step is reportedly collaboration with "Turkey's
historic rivals, the Armenians."
The report says that Lieberman is expected to meet with leaders of
the Armenian lobby during his visit to the United States this month
and propose cooperation against Turkey in Congress.
The report also claims that Lieberman is planning to hold meetings
with PKK leaders in Europe with an eye to "cooperating" with the
terrorist organization "in every possible area. "It adds that, at
these meetings, PKK members may ask Israel for military aid in the
form of arms supplies and training.
The daily quotes Lieberman as saying: We will make Erdogan pay a price
that will prove to him that messing with Israel does not pay off."
According to the report, Lieberman also said. "It would be beneficial
for Turkey to treat us with respect."
'Grave, Serious Threat'
Another comment about Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks on shipping
in the eastern Mediterranean came from Deputy Israeli Prime Minister
Dan Meridor today.
Meridor described Ankara's statement that "aid ships travelling
to the Gaza Strip will be accompanied by warships" as a "grave and
serious threat."
In a statement to the Israeli Army Radio, Meridor said: "The remarks
of the Turkish prime minister are harsh and grave. However, it would
not be right to engage in a war of words with him via threats of war."
He added that the best response is silence and expressed the hope
that this incident will blow over.
The Israeli deputy minister also said that the UN's Mavi Marmara
report has refuted Turkey's claims that the Israeli blockade [of Gaza]
is a violation of international law.