I'm officially in the twilight zone (Turkey, Greece, Israel)

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2004-06-08 11:25am

Turkish envoys in Israel recalled
Turkey has recalled its two most senior diplomats from Israel for consultations following a sharp dip in relations.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was strongly critical of recent Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip, calling them "state terrorism". Correspondents say the move is a low-key form of diplomatic protest and the two are expected to return this week. Turkey is Israel's chief regional ally and the two countries have close economic and military ties.

But analysts say Mr Erdogan has been under pressure from his Islamic-based party to protest against recent Israeli military action which has left dozens of Palestinians dead and 2,000 homeless. Turkish officials described the recall of the ambassador in Tel Aviv, Feridun Sinirlioglu, and the consul general in Jerusalem, Huseyin Bicakli, as part of "regular consultations".

A spokeswoman at the Turkish embassy, quoted by Associated Press, said the consultations were aimed at helping to find ways to reduce Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Turkey is one of Israel's biggest trade partners. It is reported to have bought $3bn of Israeli arms since the two countries signed a military co-operation agreement in 1996 and receives about 300,000 Israeli tourists a year.

This actually means that Greece and Turkey actually have a closer diplomatic dialogue going than Turkey and Israel since ... well since way before I can ever remember when!

Strange.

Guardsman Bass · Post by **Guardsman Bass** » 2004-06-08 11:33am

God, talk about the capriciousness of politics- do you suppose the Israelies know the Turks are faking it?

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2004-06-08 11:54am

Guardsman Bass wrote:God, talk about the capriciousness of politics- do you suppose the Israelies know the Turks are faking it?

Well Turkey supplies Israel with a ship load of fresh drinking water every day ... wonder I doubt (personally) that it is more of a symbolic thing, but this can't be good for Israel. Turkey is like the only (or was) Muslim nation that had a relatioship with it, losing its support hurts the PR.