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Gul can't find time to meet Peres
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 20.09.10, 18:52
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31. Napkin
olim hadashim ,   tel aviv/israel   (09.20.10)
No apology from Gul.I really need a napkin.I cannot hold myself from crying.
32. peres just got owned big time
morbid ,   usa   (09.20.10)
i guess turks aren't just playing around afteral
33. awe struck from Istanbul
David Israel ,   New York, USA   (09.20.10)
No Turkey is not the new evil. However AKP regime is evil and they are destroying Ataturk's modern secular republic. (Just as you say you love Jews but you are criticizing Zionists, I am giving you a little bit of your own medicine. I love Turks but I am against Islamist AKP) . The 9people that were dead knew that they were going to a MUBAREK GAZA (a holly war) as they chanted before boarding the ship and later in the shiup. The videos are available in YouTube but unfortunately in your AKP kind of democracy YouTube is not available. As Furkan clearly stated in his diary he had to choose between the love for his mother and the love for his faith and decided that he would prefer to die for his faith. So please get n your senses as soon as possible and realize what AKP is doing to your country. You had a chance to start a change on September 12 but you blew it. Don't miss the chance at the elections next spring. The ills of Turkey are not because of Israel, it is because of AKP.
34. # 23,24 & 29
awe struck ,   istanbul   (09.20.10)
well # 23, happy to hear that Israel has the strongest nations of the world on their side. As a friend of Israel that would only make me happy. I guess you know better than me on this. . Unfortunately, we are not that lucky. I wont be surprised if we get bombed in Istanbul in a few years, (for some fake reason) by the great western civilization. The stage is being set up for the new axis of evil at the moment from what I see:))) thanks for your comment though. at least it had a touch of empathy. 24, I believe Israel, being one of the most technologically and intellectually advanced nations on the planet, couldnt and shouldnt be so easily intimidated anyway. So relax. However, I do wish some of you could take a bit more criticism and want the same things for others that you want for yourselves just for the sake of humanity. You really dont have to like them to do this, fyi. Just a reminder, you can not intimidate Turkey, too. For all similar nut jobs like number 29, you are hopeless and good luck to the world where you are the majority.
35. Omri - Turkish relations with Jews and Israel are mixed
David Israel ,   New York, USA   (09.20.10)
1. While Ottoman empire welcomed Sephardi from Spain during the inquisition it was done in order to create a counter balance against the Greek majority in the newly conquered western Anatolia and thrace (Istanbul, Edirne etc). 2. Durting the Ottoma empire Jewish community (or Millet- nation - as they were called) was the poorest and teh least educated among all subjects until Frencj Jews put their finger on the matter through the Alliance Israelite Universelles and changed their ill fate. 3. During WW II Turkey gave refuge to few German Jews who were highly educated and skilled.These professors are responsible of the creation of many university facilities. But at the same time Turkey did not allow teh Struma loaded with Jewish refugees escaping Nazis, to pass through the straight into the Mediterranean. The ship with a broken engine was let into Black sea and torpedoed by a Russian sub killing all but 1 passenger. 4. While WW II was going on in Europe an unfairly applied tax law called VARLIK VERGISI was established in 1941. Under this law all the wealth and even household properties were confiscated from Jews (and Armenians) sending those Jews who did not have enough wealth to pay the exorbitant sums to a labor camp at askale. At the same time for the younger Jews who were not yet in the making money age they passed another law called 20th draft military service (20ci Kura Askerligi) and used it to send many young Jews to another labor camp at Afyon (My father was among them) 5. However ther has been many righteous Turks who stood up in support of the Jews. Among them Selahattin Ulkumen a diplomat helped some of the Jews of Rhodes and Kos to escape deportation. 6. In 1936 Jews of Kirklareli were attacked by mobs that had organized in advance. Homes ransacked, businesses destroyed women raped while teh security forces and the nearby military forces just watched. 7. In 1955 (I remember that one) September 6-7 there was another historic incident of attacks to Jews, Greeks and Armenians in Istanbul and Izmir.
36. TURKEY-- THE BIGGEST THREAT TO ISRAEL
AMERICAN ,   Los Angeles   (09.20.10)
Turks are openly supporting iranian jihadists and it's obvious there is a millitary cooperation between Turkey,Iran and Syria against Israel.Time to recognize the Armenian Genocide and bring the kurdish human rights on the agenda.
37. Double slap !!! ;) ,...
split ,   USA   (09.20.10)
38. Turkey is a TERROR FOSTERING STATE ...
Lee ,   Manchester UK   (09.20.10)
and the Europeans for getting in bed with Turkey and declaring Israel an 'impediment' toi peace the EU will reap their just desserts along with Turkey, Syria and Iran. Leftie Euro leaders are the jihadists wet dream - they are laughing at us because of these loons. Europe is in far graver danger than Israel.
39. Turkey
misaac ,   Washington DC   (09.20.10)
I don't see why Israel owes an apology to the Butcher of Kurdistan.
40. We won't be spit on and call it rain
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, DC USA   (09.20.10)
Yes, there are a few Israelis (Ben-Eliezer for one) who are ready to humble themselves just to get Turkey's favor. But most Israelis - certainly every self-respecting Israeli - opposes this. They know that Turkey bears primary responsibility for the Mavi Marmara incident, and therefore Israel owes Turkey nothing - not an apology, not compensation. Peres is right not to give in to Turkey, however much he might be so inclined. He knows if he did so, most Israelis would call for his removal as President. Israel should take the next step and suspend their military sales and support to Turkey, and consumers should look to buy their appliances and cars from friendlier countries.
41. Kola Kavod Peres!
Yonatan   (09.20.10)
42. awe struck#34
john   (09.20.10)
Before you preach humanity please read talk backer David Israel #35
43. Another Turkish Snub
too gul eew ,   ta   (09.20.10)
Time to snub them back. Israel needs Turdkey a lot less than Turdkey actually needs Israel. Time to stop selling thing to Turkey and see how their economy fairs
44. Awe Struck
Solomon ,   Bklyn   (09.20.10)
It's good to read comments from someone like yourself who has a view of the 'other side' as well. There are too many extreme comments from both sides here. And yes, in the history of Israel, there may be incidents which do not do Israel proud. However this is not one of them. To answer your (post #22, although I have read your later ones) I will not get into the fact that stopping the ships in international waters was legal but will focus on "details": 1. The Israeli soldiers came aboard, paint-ball guns at the ready. Pistols were holstered but close by as a matter of safety. 2. Turkish IHH thugs attacked the soldiers with knives and pointed rods. These are weapons that can kill and maim, and they almost did, given the ovewhelming odds in IHH's favor. 3. The Israelis used their fire arms after the attacks began, in self-defense. There is a video showing one soldier being stabbed and NOT using his pistol to defend himself. 4. The few passengers who protected the soldiers when others wanted to kill them while they were lying on deck wounded and disarmed, should be commended. No one else. These people made their own bed; they have to lie in it.
45. It is Turkey that needs to apologize, for having sent thugs
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (09.20.10)
and law breakers in Turkey's government's mission to assist Hamas It is Turkey that needs to apologize to the dead's families for having sent their loved ones to be killed by Israel's policing force. Shame on you, Turkey!!!
46. Israel does not need to apologize
Galut ,   Selah   (09.20.10)
the protesters were laying in wait to violently attack the israeli boarders with clubs...
47. BUT WHAT IF MR PERES HAD APOLOGISED?
Ian ,   Newcastle upon Tyne   (09.20.10)
Would it have been kiss and make up? Something tells me not.Gul and his cronies are up to no good and just want to trick the Israel government into hanging itself. This is what the Turkish government calls diplomacy.It looks like Islamic diplomacy to me. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!
48. Awe Struck
Daniel ,   TA   (09.20.10)
It was a pity Israel didn't follow international law. Yes complete pity. Had Israel done what they were legally supposed to do, the entire fleet would be somewhere on the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The number of dead unknown. That is the LAW for trying to run past a blockade. As it is people took up arms against the boarding party. 9 dead is a shame but I think it's better than the alternative. Of course had the ships surrendered or agreed to enter a LEGAL port none of this would have occurred. This is the fault of those on board the flotilla. As for Gur and his snubs- who cares? I just wont buy anything Turkish...now where's my Greek Coffee?
49. Hey Matty Groves
Steven ,   San Francisco   (09.20.10)
Don't you be lecturing us Jewish folks what to do. You want to apologize for your offensive posts, then go ahead and do so. As far as most of us are concerned, you offend us and we would like you to apologize immediately to us. You only have yourself to blame if people on these boards have no use for your opinions.
50. #42,44 &48 this time:)
awe struck ,   istanbul   (09.20.10)
# 42: I know, I watched the news and I agree with you to a certain extent. As I said, I do not have any sympathy to aggressors disguised as activists. I also do not have sympathy to governments or armies who are using the tools of democracy to cunningly terminate it while spicing things up with the fear factor. I know it, I am experiencing it. But Israel's one track mind policies in the last year are not serving people like us who have been defending Israel or the values she stands for .It is only serving the interests of extremists on both sides, gaining strength through self fulfilling prophecies where fair minded people like us are becoming marginal and undermined as naive.Our government is no better if not even worse. I still believe that the deaths could have been prevented by Israel, claiming to have one of the most sophisticated intelligence and army in the world. Were these IHH people on board real peace activists, No, but did they deserve to die, No, again. Thx a lot for your reply and good to know there are people like you out there. # 44: Yes I did read David Israel and I have been reading his various other posts in the past. He has true insight on my complicated and often misunderstood country. (I am not being sarcastic at all) Unfortunately, he has no faith in my country but I do. Referring to historical facts is understandable but they are past after all!! I am not saying history is not important but it can not be a sole indicator of the present either It over simplifies other very important dynamics and developments! However If it will serve for the happiness of even one person out there, as a Turk I will gladly apologize for all the stupid things, atrocities my ancestors have done in the past and also apologize for the present wrong doings and even for the possible future ones. I will not defend my countrys' wrong doings in the name of loyalty and love of country I want to be more evolved than that. I am sure no country is free of such atrocities and all countries have skeletons in their closet so maybe its time to have a different approach to things? #48: Enjoy your greek coffee:) If only it was that easy to solve such complicated issues with this manner:))) I guess USA solved its "war on terror' problem by calling the good old french fries as freedom fries once upon a time. Look how that worked out :)) Whether you care or not, there will be people like myself in Turkey that will never have that sort of feeling towards Israel. You will always be welcome here to drink our coffee, whatever you wish to call it And oh, please stop selling us weapons, too. You would do us a great favor! We can spend that money on more meaningful things than. Daniel from Tel Aviv, Shana Tova, regardless!
51. Turkey and her Arab friends
Don Saliman ,   Nahal Oz, Israel   (09.20.10)
G-d forbid, the next earthquake that hits Turkey, let see how many of your Arab friends come to your aid. Israel would send Doctors and rescue workers to help you, without asking.
52. Der Spigel reported Turkey using chemical weapons on Kurds
(09.21.10)
Turkey helps Iran bypass International embargo. Masacres and oppresses innocent Kurds. Bombs Kurds with chemical weapons against Geneva convention. Who should appologize? Armed by USA/NATO. On EUs door step. Fortunately this is not Israel's problem
53. Awe Struck
Solomon ,   Bklyn   (09.21.10)
Amen. It could be said that Intelligence can't always know everything. It also could be said, and has been said by the Israeli investigating panel, that it could have ended differently. They blew it. To say if one "deserves" to die is a strong statement...but many of the IHH people did try to kill some of the soldiers. I give you credit for what you are saying and how you are saying it. I hope we hear from you in other talkbacks as well, even if we disagree.
54. AKP and Zionists
Australia ,   Melbourne   (09.21.10)
Do you think its now time for both the Turks and Israelis to topple their Islamist AKP and Zionist governments, which seems to be the problem here. My fear is that these extreme right wing regimes have become so powerful they are using nationalist and religious feelings to slowly eliminate any opposition
55. awe struck seems to be a MOT
Zionist   (09.21.10)
56. Oh Lord, don't anybody kill Ahmadinejad in NYC!
Rivkah   (09.21.10)
The ELS Torah code for war has Mousavi in it and if Ahmadinejad stays in power, the war might be at least delayed. Right after that war, Russia and China and other countries attack America and it divides into four nations (notable horn of Daniel chapter 8).
57. # 10
Birdi ,   Israel   (09.21.10)
You sound like a broken record. Israel is NOT going to apologoze to Turkey. Is that clear to you now ?
58. Turkish occupation of Kurdistan a threat
Sami ,   New York, USA   (09.21.10)
Turkish occupation of Kurdistan is a world threat.
59. gul married his 16 year old cousin
turkish muslima   (09.21.10)
the president of turkey married his 16 year old first cousin when he was 30 years old. no further comment necessary. (fact check www.wikipedia.org)
60. #10 what about Turkey Apologizing for their genocide of Arma
chris ,   wales   (09.21.10)
Turkey is a disgrace and the fact they have allied themselves to the Crazy evil entity of the Iranian Regime shows everything we need to know about where Turkey is headed. Why Should Israel Apologize to the country which still never apologized for the genocide it committed against the Armanian Christians? and what about taking it Troops out of Cyprus? it has illegally occupied Cyprus since 1974. Turkey and her supporters have nothing to Criticize Israel for or any country come to that. If Turkey should ever join the EU,that would signal the death of Europe as a western Civilized Block!
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