Turkey Bans Israel From Military Exercise Over Gaza War

Turkey has said that it banned Israel from an international air exercise due to begin last week because of its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip last December.

The Turkish foreign ministry had earlier said "a technical matter" had prompted a delay in the sixth annual Anatolia Eagle drill.

The event was due to take place from October 10-23 with air forces from the US and Italy, but the drill was cancelled after both Washington and Rome withdrew their participation following Turkey's request to ban Israel from the exercise.

In response to a question from CNN, the US broadcaster, Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, said: "We hope that the situation in Gaza will be improved, that the situation will be back to the diplomatic track.

"And that will create a new atmosphere in Turkish-Israeli relations as well.

"But in the existing situation, of course, we are criticizing this approach, [the] Israeli approach."

Read the whole story: Al Jazeera.

Comments

[jgarbuz]

Turkey Tries to Calm Crisis

Ankara nevertheless may be trying to calm the current crisis with Israel. Zamanonline, a Turkish news web site, reported Wednesday that the failure of Israel to deliver UAVs to help Turkey fight terror was the reason behind the cancellation of the aerial exercise with Israel.

It quoted an anonymous senior air force official as saying that politics is not involved with the current crisis with Israel. The official reportedly said that Israel is not making good on a four-year-old $180 million contract with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems for 10 Heron UAVs.

“Turkey needs those vehicles in its fight against terror. What led to the recent crisis between Turkey and Israel was the delay in the delivery,” he said.

“As Israeli authorities failed to satisfactorily convince Turkey that they would be able to achieve the planned date for delivery of the Herons, the Air Forces Command informed the General Staff of the situation,” he told the web site. “The General Staff asked Israeli authorities one last time about the delivery of the Herons. Israeli authorities refused to give an exact date and said they planned to deliver the vehicles by the end of 2009, whereupon the General Staff decided to cancel the international part of the exercises.”

[arvay]

More Israeli press releases. The Israeli press is full of coverage of the worsening relations between the two nations. Americans should read the Israeli press, Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post, every day, to find out what's actually happening over there. It's also a valuable window into the strange and inward-looking Israeli mentality.

Just one example
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1120415.html

[arvay]

Even more good news.

Israel’s growing isolation
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3789872,00.html

"We are dealing with an accumulation of positions, declarations, and actions adopted by organizations and governments worldwide with growing intensity, in the aims of isolating Israel and thereby pressuring it to modify is political positions and force military restraint upon it. And this is the good case scenario.

According to the more negative scenario, they are trying to brand Israel as a “pariah state,” undermine the legitimacy of its very existence, and revoke its natural right and duty to defend its citizens – similarly to the manner in which the international community “took care” of the apartheid regime in South Africa."

Right on, world!!!!

[Kirby]

Right on, all civilized peoples! Right on, all Americans to undo the heinous hold that AIPAC has on our country through its hold on the U. S. Government!

[Wisdo]

Right on Turkey.

Pity your regime is still autocratic and ruthless though. You wont get into the EU that way.

[RaWash]

good on Turkey.

[nukemind]

Sounds alright to me. Now about Kurdish rights...

[MarcusT]

The government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched what it calls a comprehensive approach to ending Turkey's "Kurdish problem." The proposal is believed to include greater cultural rights for Kurds, some form of local autonomy, and incentives to PKK fighters to lay down arms. Number one is some revision of the constitution in a way that would allow the definition of citizenship to be more inclusive, rather than for Turks only, which is the implication of the current constitution. The problem with that, and the reason this is very hard, is because it goes against the very definition of the Turkish state as conceived by the founder of the state [Mustafa Kamal Ataturk] and there is a large group of people that thinks anything the founder has said is sacrosanct and it is unchangeable, you can't touch that.

Number two has to do with cultural reforms, that is to say to make the Kurdish language far more acceptable in everyday life, giving broadcasting licenses to individuals to have television or radio stations and newspapers [in Kurdish] without the state intervening, interfering, or censoring stuff, the teaching of the Kurdish language.

[jgarbuz]

Today's news. Barak stated:

"Anatolian Eagle," the joint aerial exercise in Turkey which was called off last week, has only been postponed, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday. “Turkey is an important and central state in our region,” Barak said. “Israel has had strategic relations with it for decades. Despite the ups and downs in the relations between us, the relationship between the two countries are important to us and to the Turks, and so the ties between the states will not be damaged.”

[Y2KCockroach]

You are dreaming if you think that the military exercise is only "postponed", and simply because an Israeli says so. The Turks are mighty pi**ed by Israel's actions in Gaza (as are a great many other people in the world), and they are trying to tell the Israelis something they need to hear (hell, the U.S. won't do it, so somebody has to). Having said that, Barak is at least partially correct: the relationship between Turkey and Israel will endure, notwithstanding Israel's bellicosity. Turkey has been a "friend" of Israel since 1949, and a "friend" of displaced Jews for centuries; that is not going to change in the short term. But Israel must come to terms with the fact that there are very few states that support it; that they are trending toward becoming a "pariah" state; and that their long-term survival, security and prosperity depend upon developing legitimate and respectful relationships, both with its neighbors and beyond. Unfortunately, building more nukes, missiles, (and submarines?!) is not going to do it.

[jgarbuz]

And what would you suggest Israel do?

[arvay]

Oh, I see, we just read the Israeli press release and all is as it says.

Amazing.

The Prime Minister of Turkey publicly reprimanded Peres before an international audience recently. The Turkish public has been getting ever more anti-Israeli.

Of course, they probably haven't read the Israeli press release.

[arvay]

Here's your answer, right out of the Israeli press

Strategic blow to Israel
For time being, Turkey is no longer a dependable strategic ally of Israel

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3789713,00.html

[arvay]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3789713,00.html

[arvay]

Jgarbuz:

The solution to the situation of the Sioux and the other indigenous American peoples is the same as the Israeli-Palestinian situation -- a single democratic state that embraces both peoples and gives them equal rights.

The Indian "nations" set up by the American government are frauds, used to pull out revenue from tobacco and gambling enterprises, a la Abramoff. They keep people segregated from the rest of American society, keeps them poorly educated and largely unemployed.

Integration is the answer, not some form of re-segregation.

[AWAMORI]

There is no politician in the world, who would talk about human rights w/o having any hidden interest, but just because he is really concerned regarding the issue.

So it is not a first time, when Turkish leadership makes a loud anti-Israeli statement to please an islamic street (same like other moderate Middle East governments, who want to keep their positions and avoid an islamic revolution in their states).

But under the surface there is a tide economical, security and military cooperation between Turkey and Israel, which both countries having benefit from.

[111]

I'm glad there is a country willing to take this stand. I hope Turkey is not bullied by the US into changing its mind.

[wm1066]

Actually Aljazeera said that Turkey wouldn't have done this without having U.S. approval. Israel hasn't been that friendly to the U.S. as of late (expanding settlements) so the U.S. isn't going to be fighting for Israeli interests like bush did.

[Albert Amato]

This action of Turkey banning Israel from maneuvers and ultimately having the US back out is merely an overture from Turkey to appease Syria and Iran...........this does not bode well for the US at all as we see our power and influence diminish in the world.
It is all political and Turkey has some extremist factions that do not wish to let Turkey stop the hegemony of Iran in the ME......while they get their bomb.

[phute]

So you think this is a ploy for Iran to get nuclear weapons?
Care to provide a timescale?

[Albert Amato]

That is just one factor and the timeline is not important as "in the near future" is inevitable.

[tyruler]

Pretty uninsightful analysis, sorry to say.

Israel is a bully of the Middle East. When 2.3 million Gazans (substitute: Americans to drive the point hoe) are starved, imprisoned, and denied basic freedom of living all supported and abetted by the most powerful nation in the world..I'd like to know how you'd react.

[jgarbuz]

Me, I'd leave the country if I were in their position. That's what 800,000 Jews did when they left the USSR for Israel when Russia finally opened the gates. And it's 1.5 million, not 2.3 as you write. So, why is it that Sadat refused to take back Gaza back in 1979? Israel did not want to hold on to it. And why under such terrible conditions did the Gazans themselves decide to have an average 8 children per family? Half the population of Gaza is under age 18, not even voting age. If things are so horrible, whey do they keep having so many kids? Who is supposed to feed them, Israel or the United States or the UN or who?

[Garioch]

Really? Not an expert? Yet seemingly think you can devine what my ancestors were up to generations ago.... remarkable.
I unlike you made no claims to be an expert on any situation mearly pointed out the obvious comparisons with what you were saying.

[wm1066]

So, Obama going to Turkey and saying the U.S. will not be going to war against the Muslim world as a diminishment of our influence in the world. The fact that he was so well recieved in Turkey and Egypt means we lose on the world stage? Obama has regained our standing in the world and the rightwing are spinning in rage to deny that.

[arvay]

More good news.

Turkey aims for improved Syria ties
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/10/20091013947216247.html

"Now, Walid al-Moallem, Syria's foreign minister, has welcomed a new chapter in relations on the eve of convening the Syrian-Turkish strategic council.

"One week ago, Syria and Turkey carried out manoeuvres near Ankara ... this is important because it refutes reports of poor relations between the military and political institutes in Turkey over its strategic relations with Syria," he said."

The Turkish public has taken a very hard turn against Israel, and its government is wisely reflecting their views.

UN Secretary-General Ban has also endorsed discussion of the UN's Gaza (Goldstone) report.

Hey, Milosevic's Geneva cell is still warm and sooner or later some Israeli official will visit the wrong country and end up in the dock.

[tyruler]

Nodding head in agreement vigorously. Ouch I sprained it.

[OdysseusNemesis]

What has Turkey/Israeli relations got to do with the US and France? One must also ask if Israel really has that many true friends outside the US? Could it be the case – indeed as it is the case -- that those other friends of Israel are pretend friends: Many developing countries around the world are coerced by the US to befriend Israel, and some do so for fear of US retribution. Israel must learn to cultivate true relationships with other countries and not through US acting as a proxy.

[arvay]

Israel also has lots of intimidated "friends" in Congress who would love to turn on the guys holding the leash.

[jgarbuz]

Nations have no permanent friends; only constantly shifting interests.

[TheLonelyGod]

I suggest you read "The Much Too Promised Land" by David Aaron Miller. He talks quite extensively about the role of pro-Israel lobbyists in Washington.

Here's a spoiler: They aren't as powerful as you all seem to think.

[alysheba 3]

True friends are willing to be honest with you, not let you act like a spoiled brat who is never held accountable for actions.

[kittyonice]

Rome and Washington both deserve a 'thank you' for respecting Turkey's point - such an "exercise" meant to show off military might, being displayed like that in the skies of their foes is just gross, egregious, and wrong.

As a Jew, I'm just over it with the Israeli government, I'm so sick of them treating Palestinians like second class citizens - or not even citizens, and going forward with violent offensives wherein they "accidentally" kill civilians. Last time it was a school, Gaza lost close to 500 hundred children last winter.

[jgarbuz]

Where were you when the first Palestinian leader, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin el-Husseini, who while serving as Hitler's guest in Berlin in the 1940s, sent at least 500 Jewish children to be exterminated in Poland rather than allowing them to be evacuated to Palestine? Oh, right, that was before your time. How would you know that? To Hamas, Haj Amin el Husseini is their second most important personality next to the prophet Muhammad.

[Garioch]

If you want to trade atrocities then we could be here all day detailing those on the Israeli side including some involving some rather well known Israeli leaders and slightly more recent than World War 2 however the man's name was Amin al-Husayni and he was not the first leader of the Palestinians. It was a post he was appointed to by the British High Commissioner.
It's a bit like calling Netanyahu the current Palestinian leader as he has effective control over them.

[Garioch]

Oh by the way he didn't actually send them anywhere of course, he didn't have that power. He certainly didn't want them to travel to Palestine and blocked their departure but the only historical record for him asking anyone to be sent to Poland was in a previous possible expulsion to Palestine where he asked for them to be sent elsewhere such as Poland where they would 'find themselves under active control'.

[Justtellthetruth]

Bravo Turkey!!

May Washington be shamed into action by your honesty and openly moral stance on this matter.

The settlements and occupation are viewed with great disdain by virtually every single other nation on earth.

Even the US state department deemed the settlements to be illegal. yet, we do nothing to end them or the terror that they needlessly spawn against us and Israel.

[MarcusT]

Alon Liel, who was Israel's No. 1 diplomat in Turkey in the 1980s, described the situation as a "crisis" and said Israel had received "very harsh signals" from an increasingly assertive government.

"Today there is a new foreign policy that doesn't rely only on the West. They see themselves as a player in many regional circles," he said. "All this assertiveness in the region gives Turkey a self-confidence that allows it to be tougher to us."

[rissole]

Turkey had better be careful or we might put sanctions on them.

[jgarbuz]

Nah, the US won't do anything. Many Israeli tourists may stop coming to spend money in Turkey and go elsewhere. The Turkish military might not get any Israeli work done in upgrading their tanks and planes, but then Israel might make up for the lost work in Azerbaijan where Israel has modernized the Azerbaijani military and an Israeli company, Aeronautics Defense Systems, is building a factory in Baku. So, while there is no question that the Turkish decision to distance itself from Israel is a blow to Israel, whether or not it is Turkey or Israel that suffers the most from this decision remains to be seen.

[Garioch]

The correct term is Azeri and the balance of payments between the two countries is such that any serious trade embargo would hurt the Israeli side far more than the Turks.