Israel's isolation deepens as relations with Turkey worsen further with flotilla 2 to sail next month
The Turkish government today reminded its citizens of the dangers of taking part in flotilla 2 but made it clear it has no intention of trying to stop them, or protect them. The pro Israel Jerusalem Post described Turkey's attitude towards the upcoming aid mission as a "permissive stance".
Turkey is not withdrawing, as reported in some quarters, from the UN panel due to make a final decision on the report of the UN Human Rights Council into the massacre on the Mavi Marmara aid ship. But it has warned that it's "reaction would not be positive" if the panel bends to US wishes to neuter the report's findings.
From AFP
Despite a crisis in relations between the two countries, the Turkish military still has relatively strong ties with the Israeli military, but even these are thought to be threatened. Turkey warned Israel in April not to "make the same mistake" in reference to the attack on the last flotilla.
From AFP
Bilateral relations remain stuck in crisis after several fence-mending meetings between the one-time allies over the past year failed to yield results, a Turkish diplomat told AFP.
The two countries, he said, "have failed to reach an agreement" also on reconciliation proposals by a UN commission investigating the deadly Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara ferry last year.
Moreover, tensions could shoot up again as a new aid flotilla is getting ready to depart for Gaza in June in another attempt to break the blockade...
...Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday denied reports that Ankara was considering withdrawing from the panel, but signalled discontent with the body's apparent efforts to find a mid-way between Turkey and Israel.
"I have told UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon that this is not a commission to reconcile Turkey and Israel but to do justice... We do not need a mediator," Anatolia news agency quoted Davutoglu as saying.
He warned that Turkey's "reaction will not be positive" if the commission's findings contradict an earlier report by the UN Human Rights Council, which severely criticised the Jewish state.
"If they (Israel) desire our friendship, the criteria are obvious," Davutoglu said, referring to Turkish demands for an apology and compensation. more
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