For the Palestinians: Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Photo: AP
Turkey and Tunisia: Ties with Israel serve Palestinians
Prime ministers of both countries tell Arabic newspaper that their diplomatic relations with Jerusalem are designed to serve the Palestinian people; Tunisian leader says his country is fully ready to normalize relations
The prime ministers of Turkey and Tunisia said that ties between their countries and Israel were designed only to aid the Palestinian people and the interests of the Arab people.
The leaders were speaking to the London based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper, which reported on the visit of both prime ministers to Abu Dhabi, where they spoke about relations with Israel.
Warming up
Attila Somfalvi, New York
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Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his meetings with senior Israeli officials are based on finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He added that Israel is a country that exists in its own right, alongside a Palestinian state, which Turkey views as already in existence.
Erdogan said that in order to reach a solution, there was no alternative but to recognize ‘this truth,’ and to initiate the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. “This problem does not only affect the Israelis and the Palestinians, but the continued crisis has a negative influence on the whole area,” said the Turkish leader.
His Tunisian counterpart, Muhammad al-Ghanoushe, said that diplomatic relations between his country and Israel also serve the Palestinians. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been invited to the international science summit, to take place in Tunisia in November. Ghanoushe said that the participation of Israel in the summit would not have been possible without the active support of the Arab world, and that the summit would benefit all who were involved.
The Tunisian prime minister said during a press conference that there was no direct conflict between Tunisia and Israel, and that his country was fully ready to recognize Israel and normalize ties, but added that this would “only happen when the Palestinian people receive their rights.”
Ghanoushe added that “from the information I have, Sharon won’t arrive at the summit, but it’s too early to talk about this.” Tunisian opposition parties have opposed a visit by Sharon, and have vowed to prevent such a trip by the prime minister.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Jordan’s King Abdullah has delayed a planned trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority in light of the recent deterioration of the security situation. Sources in Jordan told the London based Asharq al-Awsat Arabic newspaper that the visit was supposed to take place two days ago, and has been pushed back to a date yet to be determined.
Damascus has launched a verbal attack on Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, who said recently that the Golan would remain a part of Israel forever. Official sources in Syrian told the Qatar based al-Watan newspaper that “such provocative declarations can cause an increase in tension in the Middle East, and increase regional chaos.”
A Syrian senior official added that such declarations meant that “Israel was determined to destroy the peace process,” and that she “strove to Judaize the West Bank and Golan and to crate facts on the ground, with no opportunity to renew negotiations, and to reach an agreement based on the 1967 lines.”
