The tension between Turkey and Israel caused by the Islamic Resistance Movement’s (HAMAS) visit to Ankara, the first visit to a non-Arab country, continues.
Ankara was disturbed by Israeli Prime Ministry Speaker Raanan Gissin’s comparison of HAMAS to the terrorist organization Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) and his question of “This situation has deeply damaged the relationships. How would you feel if we hosted Abdullah Ocalan?”
The Turkish Foreign Ministry communicated its reaction to Israel yesterday, saying “Relationships are damaged by such comparisons.” In return, Israel said “The Prime Ministry speaker’s statement has been made for domestic political reasons before the March elections,” leaving Ankara unsatisfied. The Foreign Ministry asserted, “If you collect votes over us, this is terrible.”
With messages that “PKK-HAMAS comparisons can cause deeper damages,” Turkey was referring to the United Nations resolutions that termed Israel as an “occupier” in the Palestinian populated West Bank and Gaza.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a related written statement yesterday. The ministry perceived the Israeli Prime Ministry Speaker’s statement to be a “misfortune” and emphasized the comparison was “improper and wrong”.
Aim of talks with HAMAS was communicated to Israel.
“Anything you would tell HAMAS if you met them has been expressed clearly to them. Israel’s rights have been defended,” Ankara said and that HAMAS was reminded of the statement dated January 30 by the Middle East Quartet formed by the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations. Turkey also continued its calls to the Israeli administration to establish peace in the region. “You let HAMAS join the elections in Eastern Jerusalem. You must recognize the results and move away from violence,” Israel was warned.
Some diplomatic circles do not agree that HAMAS’ visit will damage Israel-Turkey affairs.
“Israel and Turkey are two close friends. It is not true that the relationships are deeply damaged. Relationships between the two countries will not be affected by such a statement. Efforts to canalize HAMAS to peaceful ways are also in favor of Israel,” they defended.
At the US Embassy in Ankara, Deputy Counselor Charles Blaha visited the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) yesterday. Blaha met the party administrators who hosted HAMAS and expressed his astonishment over the surprise visit of HAMAS.
Ankara informed the United States, Israel and some European Union (EU) countries after the meetings with HAMAS.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul called his German counterpart, Frank Walter Steinmeier, whom he had hosted in Ankara last Tuesday and said “We had already talked about the HAMAS issue in Ankara with you, but their Ankara visit was not on the agenda so do not think we lied or deceived you.”
In relation to the HAMAS’ Turkey visit, the Foreign Ministry sources said that messages conveyed in a timely matter to the Movement, winning the Palestinian elections, would be advantageous for the future.
Sources elaborated the reason for the Gul-HAMAS meeting as “a historical responsibility to prevent this Palestinian political body from making mistakes that might jeopardize its future.”
The same sources informed that Turkey as a neighbor country made several recommendations to a political body that won the general elections in its country and warned HAMAS about possible difficulties it might face in the future. Turkey, however, defends, it is not a mediator, but acts in line with its own specific weight.
Diplomatic sources evaluating the visit highlighted that Turkey, which is directly affected by the developments in the Middle East, already has the position to hold such a meeting with HAMAS, but holding it before the formation of a Palestinian government was significant.
Messages to recognize Israel’s right to exist, end violence and recognize the agreements grounding the “road map” for the peace process in the region were delivered to HAMAS during the meetings.
If HAMAS could have met Israel and the Middle East Quartet, they would have given the same messages, Turkish officials emphasized. The same sources said Turkey advised HAMAS leader Khaled Mashal to be in dialogue and cooperation with Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas. HAMAS members listened to the advice given carefully and signaled to take them into consideration.
Sources: Zaman
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