Turkey-Israel Tensions Rise As Nations Argue Over Gaza And Drones

Turkey has warned that if Israel fails to provide it with unmanned aerial vehicles, it will fine Israel three or four million dollars, reports The Jerusalem Post.

The threat, originally reported in the Turkish paper Today's Zamen, is the latest in a serious of tense incidents between Israel and Turkey. The Jerusalem Post explains the incident:

Turkey agreed in 2005 to purchase 10 Heron UAVs for over $180 million from Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems, Ltd. Israel was expected to deliver four Herons in August, followed by another two and then the last four by the end of October, but has missed the deadline.

Earlier this week, AP reported on an incident in which the Israeli government became angry with a Turkish television drama that appeared to show Israeli soldiers shooting children:

An Israeli foreign ministry official rebuked Turkey's acting ambassador Thursday over a TV series Israel says depicts Israeli soldiers murdering children.

Naor Gilon, deputy director for the Western Europe desk, says he told Turkish envoy Ceylan Ozen the series was "incitement" and could spark attacks against Jews visiting Turkey.

The AP article went on to explain the clip...

Clips of the program, screened by Turkey's state-owned TRT television, show a military force in what appear to be Israeli combat fatigues committing acts of murder and violent repression against Palestinians under their control.

Below is the video for yourself to see.

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES

AP reports that the show's producer denied that the characters are Israelis.

Producer Selcuk Cobanoglu told Israeli news site Y-net, however, that the characters in his series do not represent Israelis.

"The uniforms ... only look similar. The Turkish and American militaries have uniforms like that as well," he said. "We love the people in Israel. We love the Israelis."

As if that weren't enough, Turkey barred Israel from a NATO exercise over the Gaza War earlier in the week. Reuters reported on the incident, and noted:

Turkey, a secular state with a Muslim population, has been a key ally of Israel, but relations have cooled over Erdogan's outspoken criticism of Israel's three-week offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in December and January.

Just how serious will this turn out to be? Let us know in the comments.

Get HuffPost World On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[Thabit]

At what point do israelis realize that their control of the information has been negated by the internet , that people can get information from mutiple sources and that they can no longer control the message . That screaming anti- semetic over the least critisism finaly is the boy that cried wolf one time to often. That people might make up their minds in a way that does not follow their spin. One day soon , after another provocation, israel will turn around to find themselves........ alone ......to face the muslic they have played for 60 years . And then even if there is a reason to cry wolf one more time no one will be listening ..........

[NeoconGal]

I find it a bit strange that our government feels compelled to arm Israel to the teeth while Israel is an arms exporter.

[darge]

Perhaps Turkey is threatening Israel with a fine because they are concerned the high-tech Israeli drones won't be delivered in time for the joint Turkish-Syrian military exercise?

[Horst]

LOL.....the average Turk would have a heart attack if he knew how close the military and political ties are between Israel and Turkey.

[MarcusT]

Because the "average Turk" is so much less aware of whats going on in their own country than you?

[livnletlive]

The Turkish people have always supported the palestinian just plight...Sultan Abd el hamid of the Ottaman empire REFUSED an offer by the jewish agency to BUY Palestine as a province for 3 million denars...and so they resorted to the british to implement their take over of Palestine...the Turkish army finally realized that its strategic alliance with Israel was completely useless, it did not help them integrate with the EU, nor did it help them against the Armenian lobby in the US. Turkey finally smartened up and realized its true roots lie in the east....especially commerce and cultural ties with east. They're starting to reconcile with Armenia and gave up on EU. They're just siding with the true victims=Palestinians.

[Discipulus04]

I support Turkey

[fbr79]

Right, that's what this world needs more of....people taking sides in subjects in the other side of the world.

[BLUEBIRD1234]

The matter is very simple the Israeli government after the Goldstone report was made public the PM talked with the PM of Turkey REQUESTING HIM TO help Israel by managing the Muslim COUNTRIES not to pursue the case. A similar request made to USA President. But the Turkish PM declined to act as per the request. This infuriated the PM who activated massive propaganda against Turkey, obviously as retaliation..

However, Turkey -Israel issue is a new dispute and an addition of a dangerous enemy after Iran is turkey in the enemy list of Israel. Mr. Lieberman (Foreign Minister of Israel) and Mr. Bolton isn't it time to attack Turkey and bomb it because it has become very dangerous for Israeli security, Please request USA to attack Turkey at once leaving Afghanistan after all USA is controlled by Israeli Jews.

[brady61995]

turkey you just kissed and made up wtih armenia. can you have peace in your country for 5 minutes. people want to come and see turkey but you make it impossible with your crazy voice. chill out

[baba2nde]

Turkey is a member of Nato, no? NATO's article 5, paraphrased: An armed attack on one is an attack on all.

Uh-oh!

[davidwayneosedach]

Why not buy the droness from someone else? Russia? China? Or the US?

[drfalafel]

180 million dollars is a lot of money for IAI to let go for a scene in a movie.

[StJames]

So if not Israelis, who? The producer needs to have the courage of his convictions. Here's what I really don't understand about this latest to-do. Why is Israel so intent on alienating everyone not only in the ME but around the world? They must be deluding themselves with memories of past U.S. hegemony. If the U.S. ends up being their last ally, they are doomed.

[Ric NYC]

"Clips of the program, screened by Turkey's state-owned TRT television, show a military force in what appear to be Israeli combat fatigues committing acts of murder and violent repression against Palestinians under their control."

So... Isn't it true?

[Thabit]

Gosh , the truth DOES hurt ..........GOOOOOOOD

[SEQUOIABISON]

Yes, of course its true, but Israel is annoyed that the truth will be revealed. Their idea of a good relationship with any particular country is; that country must never mention the atrocities Israel committed against civilians in Lebanon and Gaza.

[arvay]

What does Israel want from Turkey?

Enmity with Syria, so it can take advantage of the situation.

Once again, Israel opposes peace.

But the Turks and the Syrians are acting to bury their old quarrels, rooted in the old Ottoman days, and look forward to their shared future. At the conclusion of their efforts, both national leaders should be awarded Nobel Peace prizes.

Turkey would be advised to stop seeking membership in the EU, it has a much more vital and ultimately profitable role to play as a leader in its own region. The French and the Germans don't want them anyway. Withdrawing from NATO wold also be a positive step.

Israel is actually helping, inadvertently, by roiling Turkish public opinion with its massacres of Palestinians.

[Macready]

great blog arvay . . . agree with you about the Nobel Prizes . . . Turkey and Syria . . are moving beyond ancient feuds and should be applauded for their efforts . . .

[CigarGod]

Nice post.
Have a cigar.

[drfalafel]

Turkey and Armenia I think, not Syria.

[arvay]

The Turks have also just started mending relations with Armenia, that's a separate development frommtheir new alignment with Syria.

[mamacat]

Another Muslim nation undergoing radicalisation because of unchecked Israeli militarism. If only there were someone who could convince the Israelis to stop their attacks on Muslim civilians.

[Macready]

the only thing that is going to work mamacat are trade embargoes and sanctions,et -- if Obama is wise he will not block the vote on the Goldstone Report . . . Britain is planning to abstain and the israelis are very angry . . . and well that is tough . . . the israelis want to bury anyone who makes them take a long hard look at themselves . . .

[KIVPossum]

Israel says if the Goldstone Report is approved, it will stop the peace process. LOL, seems all Israel wants is to talk peace process, but not talk peace. They don't want peace. Have never wanted peace. Until the world treats them like the pariah nation they are, they will continue on the present course.

Time for the U.S. to man up and set them free. See how they like it without our money and support.

[eweqo]

turkey is going over to the muslims. israel shouldn't provide them any more weapons. They will end up being used against Israle. the EU was right not to allow Turkey into its fold.

[NANANACHMAN]

It`s only a matter of time before Turkey becomes a Islamic nation again

[rissole]

Looks like Israel is the victim again.

[Wisdo]

...victim of being caught carrying out massacres against civlians on live television worldwide.

AGAIN.

[DC]

Victim of itself?