Indeed, by Western eyes Erdogan is a crass, uncultured boor, who lies shamelessly and knows nothing about diplomacy or manners. Clearly with a Prime Minister like that, Turkey has no chance of getting into the European Union, or even maintain its close ties with Israel and America. However these very traits are what makes him such a 'hero' in Islamic eyes... After all, he made the strategic choice of allying with Iran and Syria rather than the West, so why not adopt the appropriate roguish behavior? This is the exact language that speaks to the Islamic mob.

Erdogan's ugly comments about Israel and his friendly words towards the Iranian government have nothing to do with the European rejection of Turkey. The Vatican has been battling the Turks for the last few hundred years. The hard time Turkey is receiving by the European Union is simply one more battle in a long war.

Perhaps it is time to put relations on a low burner until Erdogan is replaced. His Islamic leanings can only mean disaster for Israel. We should not supply any strategic weapons/systems to Turkey as they may end up in the hands of our enemies Better safe than sorry..

don't the Europeans want Turkey in their Union?

with over 700 000 000 Euros a year (yes, that's over 1 billion USD) to prepare Turkey for EU membership. Think of how worse relations between the EU and Israel will become when Erdogan first holds the 6 month rotating EU presidency. If you thought Sweden was bad, think of what Turkey would do.

(1) Turkey has been an equal partner in the family of nations for the past 700 years. Open a world map and you shall see why. Read history and you shall know why. Hint: Ottoman EMPIRE (2) Turkey does not need the EU. The EU needs Turkey in order to access the oil rich Caspian. Trade with Russia is at $100 billion. Both have apolished the requirment of VISA's. Russia is transfering nuclear technology to Turkey as we speak valued at $60 billion. There are many joint Military projects e.g. co-production of Kornet-E anti-tank missiles etc etc (3) Erdogan is a democratically elected PM(1 in 2 votes went to him). Hence, any question as to his legitimacy as PM is baseless and not worth of discussion. So what does this mean? The Turkish State approves his policies. (4) Why did Turkish-Israel relations get to this low? Go back to the begining. The day the President of Israel rings Erdogan and says we are ready to make peace with Syria even if it means ceading the Golan. What does Israel do? Attacks Gaza the next day without warning killing in excess of 1000 people. 60% women and children. Yes you do have a right to kill terrorists but sorry you have to differentiate between civilians and combatants. Don't forget Turkey arrested many terorrists plotting against Israel. It also gave MOSAD Intel on Hamas activities the day both our leaders were arguing at Davos. Politics is one thing, the security and sovereignty of both our countries is another. (5) We are not at war, nor do we want harm to Israel. Ofcourse we will have disagreements but this does not mean we humiliate each other, while others laugh in the background. (6) Turkey has no leverage over what Turkish media companies produce. Was Turkey able to stop the airing of "Midnight Express"? No Was Turkey childish enough to reprimand the US Ambassador over "Midnight Express"? No it was not. (7) Israel needs to have one coherent voice. Your Foreign Minister says one thing, while your Defence Minister says the complete opposite. Which one does Turkey rely on? This will affect Israel's stature in the international arena. Israeli's deserve much better.

underhanded. Are there only Lefties in Israel.

They realy beleive they have the power to grant other nations a "place among the family of nations" or deny it. Exactly what the antisemites of the world advocate, that the jews decide for the world, wich is completely false The writer and this paper is contributing to fueling antisemitism and then complains about!!

Erdogan is taking Turkey on a downward journey. It will surely cost Turkey. And in the long run, the price for the ongoing policies of the current Turkish "mildly fanatical" government will be heavy indeed. It has been this way throughout history. Just like Iranian mullahs, Erdogan and his supporters are pushing their country backwards (not that it was a shining example of modernity in the first place, but not as bad considering the immediate neighborhood). When all is said and done it would be Turkey and its people perhaps asking themselves years from now - how did all this happen, that we have fallen so far and lost so much? But maybe not, maybe this "mildly islamic" sentiment that currently pervades the society will succeed in stiffling any doubt and bring about the era of the harsh totalitarian islamic certainty. The Europeans do not need Turkey in the European Union, they dread this prospect. Eventually the opposition to any arrangement of accepting Turkey should become more vocal in the ruling circles in Europe, merely reflecting the popular sentiment. And as was already said before by several peoplae, the turks should be the last people on earth to lecture Israel when it comes to defence. Better look into your own pot lest it overflows.

Turkey is losing its respect in the civilised world as it allies itself with HAMAS, Hezbollah and Iran. Meanwhile they are murdering the Kurds and stealing their land.

the Turkish Foreign Minister Asked Erdogan to say so, but the Israeli Foreign Minister Ordered Ayalon to say & do so.

will at the end of the day come back and bite them in the thush. erdogan is a fool, a puppet palying to his master ,the midget from teheran.... but the sane voices in turkey, will prevail over this hatefull, cowerd erdogan. israel- turkey ties are a lot stronger then one fool and his garbage!

Regarding each of your points: 1. We're talking present times, not 100 years ago. I bet Turkish secular intellectuals would definitely want to be more like France than Syria. 2. From what I've seen, the EU is hardly knocking on Turkey's doorstep to join. And if Erdogan has his way, Turkey will have fewer and fewer friends in the West, and would become more and more like Iran. 3. Daum never questioned the legitimacy of Erdogan's election. 4. Why do you Turks have to stick your noses between us and the Palestinians? Why do you identify with them so much, you have hardly anything in common with them. Actually you have more in common with Israel than the Palestinians. And what makes you such expert on how many women and children died in Gaza? Let me guess: the Turkish media? LOL... And I wonder if your media also reported how many of them were used as human shields, as part of Hamas' cynical war tactics? And thank you indeed for arresting terrorists... As if you're doing us a favor? It's a favor you're doing to your own country, otherwise you'd be a pariah terror haven country like Sudan... And tell me btw, how many terrorist attacks happened in Turkey against Jews, and how many terrorist attacks happened in Israel against Turkey? As for the Golan - we won it fairly after Syria invaded us. Why do you care about it so much? You know what, we'll return the Golan to Syria, the day you'll return Iskenderoon to Syria, deal? 5. I agree completely. 6. Your media's depiction of the IDF is much, much worse than the Midnight Express. Besides, it's an American movie, not Israeli. Israel did not villify Turkey in its media, and we don't deserve such blood-libels against us. I wonder how would Turks feel if we ran something similar on our TV about Turkey. 7. I agree, but this is true even more for Turkey, which is much more polarized, with regards to secular vs. religious strongholds.

of Armenians!

İ have a Theory, and i 'd be glad to hear people's comments about it. i am pretty sure, Erdogans close Relationship with İran and Syria, is under The consent of Obama, i think Mr.Obama wants to hold an Alternative communication channel with 2 "Dangerous" countries in the Dangerous Region, Middle East. İf my theory is true, who would be his best choice for the job?. Erdogan of course. An islamic Rooted PM, of 99% Muslim country, who cares about its Secular Motive. i do not support Erdogan, and i strongly hope he will be down in the first Elections, but i never think it's possible, he can be (or even Seem) This Close To İran, and Syria, without Obamas consent. Don't you think its possible?

My sentiments exactly. Time to show turkey up for its islamic, anti-semitic lack of character and dead conscience.

Please do not attack Turkish people. I look at people of Israel as my friends. Yes, Erdogan was elected and legitimate, but Turkish people did not give the right to destroy the relationships with our longtime friends. He will go away one day and we will come back to power. He creates hate between our people. If you fall in to his traps, he succeeds. I have no interest with any Arabic nation since they back stabbed us with British. Other than religion, we have nothing in common. Even Turkish interpretation of Islam is totally different than others. If you try to attack Turkey with Turkey's unfounded / unproven / inflated claims by other nations, it will damage the good feelings in Turkish friend's of Israel. I am asking you to be calm and show maturity during these hard times. We will be good allies again. I assure you Ataturk's Turkey will prevail. Trust me, Turkish people is bigger than Erdogan. They are trying to destroy Secular Turkey by attacking you and even their own military, because they see them as a threat!

Jews has a misunderstanding that they think they represent western countries. If some country have a problem with Israel, it means this country is against west. What a miserable and narsist Idea ! Turkey has the vision and power to have good relations with all countries around her and at the same time with Europe. We ar eclever enough that Europe will never get Turkey to EU. But creating this expectation is enough for us to get advantage of it. Our trade volume is increasing dramatically with Europe and there is no problem with them. On the other hand for creating good relation with Arabs bring us a market of 400 million rather than 6 million jews. I think it is a GOOD DEAL :)

look at the map!!where ever the othoman turks went to the color red appears the color of blood killing in the name of islam,you shed some cheap crocodile tears on 1000 gazans,and history tell us that your grand parents murdered 2.5 million christians in 1914 1.5 armenians and 1 million syriacs-aramiac.then your othoman empire was not a political entity in fact was a chaotic military one,kill the men and take the women into sexual slaves and sell the rest in order to buy more weapons of choice for more killing,look at your map again show us what civilazation your empire build ,i tell you nothing where constructed no hospitols,schools or bridges,all the empire execuitives were christian greeks,copts of egypt,christian of iraq and syria ofcourse the jews were also the doctors and accountants in finance,yes the world can live without turkey,ibrahim

HE COVER UP THE CRIME OF TURKEY AGAINST THE KURDISH PEOPLE BY TALKING ALL DAY ABOUT ISRAEL . BUT THE WORLD CAN SEE WHAT HE DOES TO THE KURDS. TURKEY WILL NEVER JOIN EU. TOO BARBARIC TO JOIN.

In fact the level of relations between Turkey and Iran has been subject of quiet criticism of Turkey in the US administration. If the relationship was of a low level then you could have a point. However Mr. Erdogan is acting as a defender of Iran rather then just being in a dialog that could make it a mediator between two sides. Pres. Obama needs support in raising the sanctions against Iran so that there would be no need for military action. Turkish position is against sanctions therefore against Obama's wishes. In my Humble opinion since there has been too much written in th eTurkish press that Erdogan is a US puppet he is trying to show some disagreement to increase his weakening popular support by distancing from USA and creating highly publicized conflicts with Israel. Those who use a Holly religion in order to advance their political goals (like AKP) they will do anything including lying (Takkiye) deception, intimidation, PR, bribe (Bahsis and care packages to voters) etc. If you read Ibrahim's post about the deal with Russia for nuclear plant what he did not mention is that it will be a no bid contract and the beneficiary wil be the Calik Group of companies. And you know who owns it: Erdogan's son in law the Albayrak family. They are exploiting the entire country and skimming the wealth while the poor is getting poorer. May I say more?

Mr. Daum, I do not believe the "Republic" of Turkey means to be an "...equal partner in the family of nations," or any other family project that doesn't include Islam as the defining glory. With the way the "West" has ignored the obvious war being waged upon itself by Islam, I understand where their encouragement comes from. Thanks Obama.

in support of the Turkish rights here in NY weather it is the yearly Armenian genocide bill or other matters. I have some Iranian friends who can no longer go back to their countries and I hope that Turkey will never fall to that situation. One suggestion that I made before: Wouldn't it be a good gesture to Israel if a campaign was started by the grassroots people to boycott the Kurtlar Vadisi episode insulting Israel and its flag? Not a legal and undemocratic ban but to show the will of Turkish public that such insults are not tolerated. That would show Israeli public that Turks are indeed friends. Remember when Hrant Dink was murdered many demonstrated in the streets of Istanbul with banners that read "HEPMIZ HRANT DINKiz' (We are all Hrant Dink). Similar demonstrations against this TV show would prove that Turks are not enemies of Israel and Jews. I tell you HODRI MEYDAN PEHLIVANIM

1. Jews do not believe that they represent western countries. They indeed believe and rightfully so that culturally, socially, economically they can identify with the western countries and their contributions to science medicine, arts and philosophy proves it. 2. That cleverness of Turks that you mentioned sounds like deceiving the west to gain advantages. If it is true not a good thing for Turkey. 3. But that strong economy thatyou are talking about is not as bright as you think it is. There are billions of dollars of foreign investments in Turkey in addition to the debt to IMF (And more coming soon). If foreign investor would pull 1/4 of their investments from Turkey you would go back to double digit inflation followed by triple digit. Once thriving Turkish textile industry is bleeding and the biggest companies in Denizli are closed. 4. I remember during the coalition of Erbakan and Ecevit in 1970ies (at the times when Turkish treasury was empty) , Erbakan went to Saudi Arabia to ask for some oil which Turkey desperately needed. He was sent back empty handed. Enjoy your Arab friends.

Aylon & Erdogan are two democratically elected politicians doing exactly what their constituencies told them to do. In order to stay in power, they need to please their domestic voters. If that means throwing their country's foreign relations under a bus, they will do that without hesitation.

I am really surprised that such an article gets to be published! Hanoch makes a claim in his title, but shows no real effort to explain. Instead, he spends the bulk of the article making excuses for something that has nothing to do with his claim. a typical non sequitur.

Jews and Europeans are so different cultures my friend. The believes, the point of view in anything etc..Having good realations with all the regional countries is something that Israel could not create and unfortunately will never create with this mentality. Strong economy is coming my friend, our only debt to IMF is 8 billion which is peanut for Turkey. And the new deal will be made not because we need the money, it will help to increase the growth around %1,5 more next year. This is the only reason. Erbakan Ecevit times are over, you will never see a Turkey like this which i think you liked it before. Arab countries are a market for us and we will not ne hostile with them because Israel does not like them. This is Israels problem. Enjoy your problem....

I did not like the Erbakan era and this is why I left Turkey to the USA. Erdogan is Erbakan's CIRAK (helper). His videos on his knees by the side of Molla Fethullah Gulen is all over YouTube and this is why YouTube is banned in Turkey. As far as Israel's cultural ties with the west you can say anything you like but the facts are facts. Here in the USA it is called Judeo Chritian culture. When did you hear of an Islamo Christian culture? Never. You can continue to be delusional or you enlighten yourself and face the reality so that you can improve. Factories in Turkey are closing and many people are jobless while the Calik group (Son in law of PM) are getting everything paying almost nothing. They bought the Sabah media for a steal with the loans granted by the PM, now they are getting a bigger advantage as you call it KIYAK with the Rusiian Nuclear deal. But the poor working class is only getting a bag of coal and a few kilos of dried beans from election to election. But I see you are happy. Your salt must be dry