The current state of Israeli-Turkish relations has been frustrating to many Israelis who up until recently considered Turkey to be the Jewish State’s most treasured friend in the region. Many Israelis remember growing up in a time when hundreds of thousands of Israelis traveled to Turkey annually, trade between the two countries was blossoming, and the Israeli army sold weapons and traded intelligence with its Turkish counterpart.
Unfortunately, Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan has chosen to turn his back on years of cooperation with Israel and instead has decided to work against Israel by aligning with Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas. The most current ruffle in Israeli-Turkish relations was sparked by Turkey’s insistence that Israel apologize for the death of nine Turkish citizens on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship last summer.
My friend Ofer was born in Israel to parents who had immigrated to Israel from Turkey when they were children. Ofer remembers visiting Turkey routinely throughout his life, first as a young boy with his parents, and later on with his wife and kids. “It’s very sad to see what’s happened to Turkey since Erdogan became their president,” Ofer told me. “I had traveled to Turkey many times and was always treated warmly by the Turkish people.
“The Turkish people are very friendly and most of them have fond memories of the large Jewish communities that once dwelled in Turkey,” Ofer stated. But when asked if he would travel back to Turkey again, Ofer replied no. “Turkey used to be a great place to visit, but the way their government deals with Israel, it is clear that we are no longer welcome.”
Ofer is glad that Israel did not grant an apology for the flotilla incident. “Our soldiers were only protecting themselves on those ships. I was once a soldier myself and I know what it’s like to be attacked, and you have only a few seconds to save your life. Our soldiers did the right thing on that ship last summer and our government acted wisely by not apologizing for those deaths.”
What do you think?
7:41 pm
My opinion is that it was intentional that the terrorists that attacked IDF forces on the Mavi Marmara, with predictable results, were Turks. In Muslim countries, theocracies ruled by a religion which tends to teach hatred and intolerance- especially towards Jews- it is easy to create an incident to whip up anti-Israeli sentiment. So now the Turks are upset with Israel- is anyone here surprised?
What disturbs me more is the air of legitimacy our western press gives to the ridiculous claims of the Muslim governments that the Jewish state is to blame for defending itself. We need to send a strong message to any media outlet that takes a pro-Muslim/ anti-Israeli stance in either its news or editorial sections. Cancel subscriptions, and let them know why you are doing so. Write to them and tell them why you will not buy their product. Write to advertisers and let them know you object strongly enough to boycott their products if they continue their support.
And, while we are at it, drop a note to any elected official we hear mindlessly repeating the nonsense we hear in the news and let them know why, if they don’t get better informed, we won’t be voting for them in their next bid to remain at the public trough. Just a thought- Shalom.