Turkish backing to Israel deteriorated
Turkey-Israel, Politics, 10/27/2000

The Israeli foreign ministry secretary Alloun Leil has expressed his government's regret over the Turkish position towards developments in occupied Palestine, especially Turkey's vote for the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly which condemned Israel.

He admitted that this Turkish vote was "surprising " for Israel, while political observers considered the speech made by the Turkish President Ahmad Cezer on violence in Israel and the need of the Palestinian restoration of their rights according to international legitimacy resolutions came as a second setback to Israel.

Leil who on Thursday concluded an official visit to Turkey said that " Israel has expected from Turkey, the candidate for the membership of the EU to vote in a way that complies with the general framework of the European voting and to act the European way concerning the conflict in the Middle East." He said that " we thought that Turkey will not vote the way it used to during the 1960s and the 1970 s when it used to vote spontaneously with the Arab states." He added " our efforts are being concentrated now on the voting it will take place in the future."

The Israeli official explained that the main aim of his visit to Turkey is to attempt to eliminate Tel Aviv concern over what is implied by the Turkish voting to the interest of the decision of condemning Israel and to brief the Turkish officials on Israel's position concerning current developments. He noted that his talks in Turkey dealt with bilateral and regional relations including the question of waters and the future of Jerusalem. He expressed his conviction that Turkey can also contribute to the peace process in the region through exporting the waters of Manfjat river not only for Israel but also for several countries in the region.

Meantime, the Turkish daily " Turkish daily News" said on Thursday that Israel has started to send delegations to Turkey amid increased concern towards what is described by the paper as indicators of the deteriorated Turkish support Israel had expected under the great development recorded in the relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv in the few past years.

Previous Stories:
  Turkish president denounces violence in the holy lands   (10/26/2000)
  Israeli official arrives in Ankara today   (10/24/2000)
  Cim holds Israel responsible for incidents in the Palestinian territories   (10/9/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search