Erdogan: No normalizing of ties with Israel
Turkey's president on Friday called on Israel to halt its offensive on the Gaza Strip and not to carry out a ground incursion, while the prime minister said there can be no normalizing of Turkish-Israeli ties as long as Israel's actions continue.
"I would like to remind Israel that (a ground operation) would lead to dangerous developments and sow the seeds of hatred," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on his way out of a mosque following Friday prayers.
"Such an escalation could lead to chaos in our region," he said.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that normalization with Israel cannot happen at the moment.
"We cannot look positively at a process of normalization while bombs are raining on our (Palestinian) brothers," Erdogan said at a meeting where he unveiled his policy aims if elected president. "We cannot be on the side of the oppressor."
