we remember IDF soldiers on the Mavi Marmara, and the planned attack on them by terrorists who were attempting to break a legal blockade. We remember how the IDF came aboard with paint guns, and pistols as back up only. We remember the interview of the ship’s captain who saw the preparations the attackers made to assault the IDF. And we remember the other boats in the flotilla where nothing happened as no attacks on the IDF were planned.

I was in college during the 1974 Cyprus invasion of Turkey and served in the Air Forces in Ankara in 1977-78 when AF HQ was in the same building with the Navy. I remember very well what happened after the military victory in Cyprus. USA enforced an embargo on Turkey which not only crippled the Turkish military but also the entire economy. It was the US Israeli lobby (my self actively involved) that ended that embargo. Now think about what can happen if Turkish military challenges Israel, Cyprus or Greece.

There is nothing in NATO's charter which requires a NATO state to come to the aid of a fellow member of NATO. The NATO charter simply recognizes it as a possibility. That's quite different from requiring a NATO state to come to the aid of another NATO state. Moreover, Turkey is on the verge of being booted out of NATO. Still laughing, chica?

Do YOU remember the Palmer Report? You know, the one which concluded that Israel's boycott of Gaza is fully legal and internationally recognized. That one. The one which also found that Turkey was at fault for allowing a vessel whose sole purpose was to breach that fully legal and internationally recognized blockade to berth and victual at a Turkish port, especially when Turkey knew that there was no humanitarian aid aboard.

Well enough to be investing more than the entire Israeli military Budget in just warships. With the option to buy the STOL F35's (look it up) I would suggest Turkey's economy is doing just fine

You are forgetting that China owns the US debt now-the US is in no position to dictate terms. Which territory is this gas in-Palestine or Lebanon? Who would buy gas off Israel when there is an over supply of LNG in the world? Who would trust Israel/jews in any transaction?? As usual Sarah, you have forgotten to take your meds again.

because every country can make warships tanks jets for their safety and strategic interests.i love israeli people but this article saying hate Turks..shalom.

It does not make any sense to limit Israels Gas export options by not ensuring Israel has LNG Conversion Potential for Asian and African Markets As for the Pipeline to Turkey despite my Turkophile Credentials (visited Turkey 30 times but stopped going since Marmara) the Pipeline would be too risky and subject to political intimidations and shenanigans by Erdogan who is increasingly looking irrational, unsound and at times hysterical Sad...because it in no way reflects the otherwise long standing excellent warm Turkish Israel and Jewish Community relations and sad that a Trade Deal that looks to benefit both Israel and Turkey is yet another example a missed opportunity and of the Leadership completely out of step with the Public feelings

Why are you so angry? I follow foreign-language media networks(usa, russian french german,chinesen,african,arabic) as well... I notice that israelis raise the same reactions as russians

Hey Sarah, so many posts in a Turkey-related article... Why? Let me guess... The apology still hurts, doesn't it? We are in a different league... You can forever wait for Erdogan's alleged colon cancer, or NATO kicking Turkey out, or Turkish economy to collapse. Those might happen, true, but the possibilities are much lower than Israel ceases to exist.

do not share Erdogan's views on Islam and/or his views on politics. Building a warship of this type, may be a sword rattle; but even Erdogan doesn't have the gonads to attack Israel's gas fields or installations. The price would be too dear and turn most of the Western World against him.

Oh, are you ever stupid! Turkey's foreign currency reserves and gold stocks have dwindled to almost nothing. Turkey has been propping up the lira by printing more money. Why do you persist in addressing subjects about which you know nothing? Stick to swimming pools; it will give you a place in which to wallow. Besides, of course, your ignorance.

The natural gas fields belong to the State of Israel. There is a shortage of natural gas in the world, idiot. The reason that 40% of the international fleet of LNG carriers are laid up is because there's no cargo -- liquefied natural gas -- for them to haul. Given the size of the contract into which Israel has entered with an Australian company to build a floating natural gas platform, I'd say Australia pretty much thumbed its nose at BDS. Gnash your teeth, commiserate with Lydia the Lebanese .... the world is about to pass you -- and the "Palestinians" by. And there's not a damned thing you can do about it. Boo hoo hoo. Cry me a river, why don't you?

It's not you, it's what passes for your "leadership." Erdogan screwed the pooch with respect to the MAVI MARMARA -- the Palmer Report said as much -- and Erdogan's silly posturing has cost the Turkish people dearly. By way of contrast -- Erdogan has had Turkish police fire into peaceful demonstrations twice now. Has Israel uttered a single word of protest? No. We're staying out of Turkey's business. Now, when Israeli troops fire tear gas into rioting demonstrators -- not at all peaceful, in other words -- Erdogan is the first to mount the soapbox. Erdogan will bring about the demise of Turkey. Mark my words.

After seeing the latest Kurt Acilimi of AKP it looks more likely the Turkish republic from Edirne to Hakkari may not exist as it is today unless AKP is ousted. However I can assure you that Israel will continue to exist longer than your life. No Israeli politician would sell of their only state like Erdogan does.

Israelis are used to react to anything and everything in many voices. It is just a natural part of modern democracies. Something that Turks who have had Erdogan and AKP for 11 years can not understand. This is called freedom, democracy. One Israeli may parise the PM the other may curse but they are all free to say what they want. No fear of ending up in Silivri or Hasdal prison or being sued by PM.

Why should an apology that means nothing trouble me? Israel opted to go with a floating LNG platform instead of an undersea pipeline to Turkey. Cost Turkey several billion dollars which Turkey desperately needs. Tourism to Turkey is off 30 percent from where it was at this time last year. The shipyards at Mersin lie unused and rusty, as do the drydocking terminals at Iskenderun. The Turkish lira is in the toilet, and the Akkuyu project has been shelved yet again. No, the apology didn't bother me in the least. I wouldn't have made one, but Erdogan got his apology .... and nothing else. How do you like us now, boychik? How do you like us now?

... the last time Turkey went into "battle" -- against a helpless Cyprus -- the Turkish air force bombed, and sank, a Turkish destroyer. So I don't really think that the Turkish navy presents anything in the way of a threat to the balance of power of the Middle East (which sits at Israel, 100%). The Turks will be way too busy making sure that they don't bomb their own vessels. Lord, that was one for the books! I can imagine the televised news reports in Istanbul or Ankara. Must have gone something like "Today, the Turkish Air Force bombed and destroyed a vessel of the Turkish Navy." Batting 0 for 2, Turkey is.

You are obviously delusional and not taking what your shrink has prescibed for you. I know that Israelis produce a lot of gas, as i have had the misfortune to have been sitting near them when this has happened. Woodside pretroleum does not reperesent Australia or Australians' thinking-BDS is going strong and thriving chica. Time for you to go back to your bathroom and let the adults run the forum.

I read your posts regularly. I believe that you read mine too therefore you know that I am a strong supporter of the state of Israel. I have a favor to ask from you. Can you tone down your posts? It would be much more beneficial to Israel. Your tone and style can only create enemies and unnecessary confrontations. Don't forget that the strongest tool that Israel has in her arsenal is not the military but it is the very well trained, intelligent well spoken diplomats.

Who is saying what?? So choosing the Chinese Antiaircraft missiles instead of a Western model was because NATO said so? Okay? Now you made us believe your argument. Everybody is familiar that Turkey wants to expand its hegemony in the region. Plain and simple