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US: Israel, Turkey relations improving

State Department says thawing relationship partly due to US efforts, Israel increasing shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip

WASHINGTON – State Department Spokesperson Vicotoria Nuland on Friday said the United States was noticing a slight improvement in Israel-Turkey relations, adding that the US is hoping to see this trend continue in the future.

 

The American administration in recent weeks has made efforts to draw Jerusalem and Ankara closer.

 

 

As part of the campaign, US President Barack Obama reportedly held two phone conversations with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an attempt to soften his stance.

 

Nulan claimed the thawing relationship was partly due to Israel increasing shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip via safe and legitimate ways.

 

Recently, Turkish passengers announced that they had withdrawn from the Gaza-bound flotilla, scheduled to set sail next week.

 

On Friday, the State Department issued a statement warning activists against plans to send a new aid flotilla to challenge Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, saying it would be irresponsible and dangerous.

 

"Groups that seek to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza are taking irresponsible and provocative actions that risk the safety of their passengers," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a statement, adding that there were established ways to move humanitarian aid to Gaza.

 

We urge all those seeking to provide such assistance to the people of Gaza to use these mechanisms, and not to participate in actions like the planned flotilla," Nuland said.

 

Israel on Wednesday said it had warned the United Nations that a new aid flotilla – which activists say could depart from European ports in coming days – could result in "dangerous consequences."

 

Israel has made clear it will prevent any new flotilla from reaching Gaza. A year ago, nine Turkish activists, including one with dual US-Turkish nationality, were killed in a navy raid on a similar convoy.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.25.11, 00:08
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