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Benjamin Netanyahu
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Netanyahu on Turkey crisis: Common sense will prevail

PM suggests 'cold calculations' will ultimately overpower Turkish PM's hostile attitude

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished to diffuse the tension surrounding the Israel's diplomatic crisis with Turkey on Tuesday, telling reporters that "Common sense and cold calculation" will ultimately prevail.

 

Netanyahu made the statements while touring Israel's southern border.

 

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In light of Erdogan's increasingly hostile remarks on the straining ties between Ankara and Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that "we shouldn't cling to all kinds of comments," and expressed confidence that "common sense and cold calculation are working overtime on our side, and from my understanding, not only on our side."

 

Netanyahu travelled south to observe the progress made in the construction of a security fence on the Israeli-Egyptian border, which was infiltrated by terrorists last month. The assailants attacked multiple targets, killing eight Israelis.

 

According to the prime minister, the fence is to be completed by September 2012, three months ahead of schedule.

 

"Our border with Egypt is a peaceful border," Netanyahu said. "To continue in peace, we need security, and for that we need a fence. Hasty construction is pertinent for peace and for security."

 

Meanwhile, Erdogan, who is visiting Cairo in pursuit of improved ties with Egypt, said in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Shorouk that while his country does not seek a military confrontation with Israel, the "Turkish Navy is prepared for every scenario – even the worst one."

 

In an interview with Egyptian newspaper al-Shuruq, Erdogan defended his recent comments about deployment of warships in the Mediterranean: "All we said is that warships will protect Turkish boats from an attack in international waters.

 

"It's our legitimate right, and no one can deny us. This statement angered Israel, because it wants to maintain its control over the international waters in the Middle East," Erdogan noted.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.13.11, 15:26
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