it is the islamics not the jews who desecrate the memory of attaturk--let him rest in peace

Erdogan's policies and actions certainly slur the memory of Ataturk, who probably is turning over in his grave as his secular state is being trampled on by the Islamist Erdogan.

It is utter disrespect to rent Ataturk's yacht for a fistful of quid to anyone. Why didn't they turn it to a museum? This is how the present Turkish government cherishes the historical importance of Ataturk and his revolution by helping turn Ataturk's legacy to a "whore house". Cry Turkey cry.

They found the upkeep too expensive about 6 Million Dollars a year this is why they did not turn it into a museum. PM Erdogan who is proud of marketing his country" (Ulkemi Pazarlamak) rented the ship. On the other hand this same PM recently gave 28 Million Dollars and lots of gold to the Turkish national Basketball team the so called '12 giant man' for their achievement in getting the 2nd place in the world cup that was held in Turkey. I once visited the Savarona when it was being used as a training ship by the navy. That was a good use for it.

embarrassing little item involving Israel as–not just a minor player, but rather THE headquarters–when it comes to international trafficking of sex slaves. By last count, in Tel Aviv alone there are over 400 brothels where girls–primarily from the former Soviet Union–are forced to service as many as 20 non-Gentile Johns a day. And since sex slavery is legal in Israel (provided of course the slaves in question are not Jews) there is little that can be done about it other than the occasional bitching and moaning by human rights groups, again, no pun intended.

You seem to have intimate knowledge of the numbers, and stats.....400 this and 20 that. No pun taken.

its time people know this

Jon, you seem to be an expert in the running Tel Aviv's brothels and important details about the number of tricks a girl should handle. Are you in the business by any chance or just interested! Any good adresses you can recommend?

David Israel, I respect you and try to read your views. I agree that giving so much money and property to football or basketball players or any others is wrong. I also strongly oppose to huge expenses during the opening of Istanbul European Culture Capital City celebrations. Do you remember that this government and its authorities spent millions for that ceremony's fireworks(!) and for singers while workers were on strike in the terribly cold days of Ankara for months, and while textile factories were closing down due to economic crisis? But, I would like to remind you that this mentality is not what I view as Turkish mentality. To my knowledge, Erdogan has never even called himself Turkish. His and his followers' views and lifestyles cannot be identified as Turkish. Their identity is Pensilvanya cemaati style Islamists. Please compare the last president Sezer with Erdogan&Gul's style. Sezer refused to buy new cars for presidency, he refused high salary, he respected Ataturk's legacy. But, Erdogan and Gul keep buying encredibly expensive cars and houses on state budget, spend miilions for their own interests and for unnecessarily huge celebrations. This all happens while the country's educated youth is suffering from unemployment. Savarona's renting is bitter, this whole thing is disgusting and even more horriying reality is that Erdogan and his government has no respect for state's history. To me what is Turkish mentality is the mentality of Ataturk, Sezer, and some others who are honest and truely patriotic people. Erdogan's style of stealing citizens' tax money for his own luxury and making money by renting Savarona is a product of an ill mentality.

Sex slaves legal in TeL-Aviv? what a load of rot.

Was this boat in international waters when they where busted up or was this done close to shore?

True Ataturk was a jew, born in Salonica...and he pulled out the Ottoman empire from 500 years of darkness and established modern Turkey. WRONG Mr "who cares". Half of the Turkish population, the wise ones still like him

Ataturk was not a Jew, he and his family are Turks, just like mine who used to live on the same neighbourhood with Ataturk's family in Salonica. My family is also from Salonica, some were massacred during Balkan wars and WWI, some escaped, some died on the roads to Turkey, some were sent to Turkey in a population exchange. Salonica was populated mostly by Turks, Jews and much less Greeks. After Balkan wars and WWI Greece managed to 'Helenized' the city by erasing the Turks and Jews of that once beautiful city... #13 True that most Turks respect Ataturk, view him as legendary leader and follow his politics despite current government. It wouldn't be a problem if he was Jewish or else, but truth has to be told all the time and he is a Turk, not Jewish or Shabateist. In fact Islamists, some anti-Turk&anti-Semitic Greeks and Armenians use this argument as they all hate Turks and Ataturk. In their mind Ataturk is so bad that he can only be a Jew.

unfortunately a little over half of Turkish public is Erdogan supporter and today his mentality seems to be accepted as the Turkish mentality. After all as the PM he is representing all of Turkey including you (weather you like it or not) As far as president Ahmet Necdet Sezer, he was a much better representative of modern Turkey along with Ecevit but he too made one or two bad moves (like throwing the constitution book to Ecevit). However I can not wait until Turkey gets back to its course set by Ataturk. September 12 was a loss but maybe next year June elections might change it all. Power to you and CHP.

If he was it would only be something to be proud of for the Jewish nation. He was born in Salonika in 1881 and his first education was at an Islamic Madrasa style school where he was forced to memorize the Qouran. After his father passed away he was sent to the military school in Monaster. His mother Zubeyde was a very pious Muslim who lived the last part of her life in the Karsiyaka district of Izmir and buried in Izmir. A high school teacher of mine was her neighbor and used to say that she always covered her head with a white laced head scarf and she prayed 5 times every day during her last years of her life. So please let's talk facts. You can also read his biography written by Lord Kinross.

Brother,I was in Turkey many many times,in Istanbul,Izmir,Antalya,and other places,and also I also tried my best to buy more Turkish made up goods,and to be honest I found the Turkish people fantastic,but since Erdogan & co came to power and the nasty things,and the propaganda,hatred towards Israel,and the media,etc,.etc,.I now dont like Turkey,I will not spend one single cent in Turkey,neither I will buy any Turkish Textiles,even if it will be cheaper than China.Please Kagan do not understand me I really dont like at all your Government.I will only visit and start to buy Turkish goods only when Erdogan & Co replaced.

And how would John in that wonderful Salafi/Wahabi Kingdom of Saudi Arabia know about TelAviv being the sex save capital of the world etc. Stop surfing those forbidden sites matey ,you could get into serious trouble ?

Brother, I think I understand your views. But, you should remember there are still millions of people in Turkey who are against Erdogan's politics and his corruption. Opposition parties, journalists, military, and anyone who criticize Erdogan's politics are under great pressure in Turkey. We are still working to save our country from this corrupt and hateful government. Erdogan's government and its media doesn't only hate Israel but they also hate many millions of Turks who criticize Erdogan's government. So please do not generalize Turks and please do not fall into the trap Erdogan&co are preparing to create hatred between our countries.

ID LIKE TO SAY THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ISREALI -YAHOODI STEALS ALOT OF MONEY LOOK WHAT HE SPENDS IT ON, INSTEAD OF SPENDING IT ON FUNDING EDUCATION, HOUSING, ETC. I THINK TURKEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT HIS SORRY SELF IN JAIL AND NOT GRANTED BOND