Turkey expels Israeli envoy over Gaza flotilla
"At this point the measures we are taking are: The relations between Turkey and Isreal will be downgraded to second secretary level. All officials over the level of second secretary, primarily the ambassador, will turn back to their country at the latest on Wednesday," Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at a press conference.
Davutoglu counted five measures against Isreal as a protest for its failure to fulfill Turkey's demands to overcome the crisis erupted after Israeli commandor stormed the flagship of the aid flotilla and killed nine Turks.
"Second, all the military agreements between Israel and Turkey are suspended," he said.
"Third, as the country with the longest coastline on the Mediterranean, Turkey will take every precaution it considers necessary for the safety of maritime navigation to East Mediterranean," he said.
Davutoglu said Turkey did not recognise Israel's right to blockade Gaza and intended to take its protest to The International Court of Justice in The Hague.
"For this aim, we are starting initiatives at UN Security Council," he added.
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good job done by former muslim leaders country (udhmani empire). pakistan could also thought about kicking US "aids". once again well done
Sad but true : to get respect in the so called 'muslim world' , one has to score anti-Israel points!
From US citizen perspective the support of Israel is due to the fact that everyone deserves a place to live where they're not treated like dirt. They've never had a moment without someone desiring to take that away. Some comments I read here in regard to them back the concept up as well. So, yes, if it involves that I have no problem with helping them. However, they are still a separate entity. When it comes to this incident, their reaction was excessive and Turkey, unlike many countries in the area are taking it through the right channels and the outcome of it will be what it is, and there won't be favoritism involved in the result as it's a number of different countries that are involved in the process to prevent that in the first place.
I understand Israel's paranoia but, they failed to keep it in check and it doesn't change the fact it was wrong. Also, I must say, all of you speaking as though this action by Turkey is for the Muslims against the Jews, you're suffocating in your own closed minded self-righteousness. This is not a Jewish and Muslim conflict. This is being done by Turkey for Turkey's interests. The way you guys speak of it makes it absolutely no surprise why Turkey is far more successful. You can't even seem to come close to discerning their motives when it is quite simple for most other people to understand. That alone makes you very, very separate. Not everything is about Muslims vs. The World and if Turkey comes out on top of this incident, it's not a victory for you. It will be Turkey's and you have no justifiable reason to try and hitch a ride on their coattails for something to brag about. They aren't doing it for your somehow damaged-by-the-world honor to be redeemed. No matter how this goes, it will be a day like any other in relation to you.
I hope that many people lauding Turkey's stand would also understand that first Turkey straightened out its' own mess and developed a modicum of stability and sanity before she took this courageous step to criticize Israel, even after Israel acknowledged it's mistake, but did not tendered a "full" apology to Turkey. Turkey has successfully put its' own Generals in their rightful place who used to customarily infringe upon the civilian rule in the guise of secularism at the behest of the World Powers. Turkey also strengthend its' economic base at a time when rest of its' European neighbors are in an economic tailspin. If Turkey was weak it would not have been feasible to put Israel in its' rightful place. Only when a nation is strong it can take the steps that it considers in its national interest and also are in consonance with humane principles.
It's welcome bluster for the political back and forth. However the real relationship is defined by trade. Turkish trade with Israel was up 25% last yea to more than $3Bn. Turkish economic growth is storming ahead. It's a natural calculation therefore to throw one's weight around when one has a degree of economic power
However, in Pakistan we are up against the wall but still spit in the others' face. That's not very wise. Emulate Turkey's governance, patience and economic policies first before you marvel at the fisticuffs.
That's what you call real leaders. stand for their people...hates off to Abdullah Gul & Ardagaan
Turkey deseve to be a leader of so called muslim world now.
waleed: Just so you know Brig. Zia ul Haq was deputed to Jordan in 1970 and killed Palestinians on the orders of King Hussein of Jordan. PLO in those days wasnt enamoured of Pakistanis then and i doubt if they are today either.
The question now is how much longer will Turkey remain in NATO?
@Haseeb Khalid Sheikh: Because Turkey is Secular and it had Diplomatic ties with Israel from ages. Only the Islamist Muslim nations opposed Israel as it was established on the Muslim lands forcefully. Turkey found the reason to hate Israel now, not in the name of religion but at least in the name of humanity.
This is called standing for a cause.
hammad v haf more democracy bro we dun haf ne ties with israel :)
Great job by Turkish leadership, bravo for punishing Israel for not seeking forgiveness for cold bloodied killing of Turkish civilian aid workers and for preserving the honour of the brave, great and dignified Turkish nation and the sanctity of Turkish lives.
@Haseeb Khalid Sheikh:
Let us not overjoy by this event. Turkey and Isreal have relationship since 1949 (More than 60 years).
Turkey became the first Muslim majority country to recognize the State of Israel in March 1949. Since then, Israel has been a major supplier of arms to Turkey.
Further refer the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Turkey_relations
@Hammad...Pakistan hasn't even recognized this evil nation... Welldone Turkey...
@Cautious: whatever u try to be cautious ur letters exposes how foolish you are. You also dont have the moral courage to give your true name and confirm that u r a coward of highest order.
turkey going islamic. proves Muslim majority regions can never be truly secular unless you put them under dictatorship.
Wel don turkey. Fight for the right.
I wonder why express tribune left this from the article
The U.N. report took a harsh stance against the Gaza-bound flotilla, saying it "acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade."
"The UN report also said that Israel's blockade of Gaza was both legal and appropriate"
The Question is why Israeli ambassador allowed in Turkey in the first place????
turkey, long trying to get into the books of the EU, has finally realized it belongs more to the east than the west -with a glorious islamic history, how could she have jettisoned the muslim world? look at her growth under erdogan. from here, there can only be growth and stability, as economic indicators purport to show
Great Job Turkey...!!!
inshallallah muslim one day awaking up and enforce the islamic law on whole world jews you can see and you know already.stop killing innocent muslim.58 muslim country including pakistan take up step for attack on non muslim like specially israel.we gave the freedom of palesteen people.wake up wake up wake up muslim
Turkey has taken the right step against the continues high-handedness of Israel, who now stands further isolated from its Muslim neighbours.
Only Israel can get away without even a slap on the wrist from such unprecedented acts of aggression
Nice and Bold step..........
Well done. Finally a Muslim nation bold and conscious enough to take a stand on principle.
This should have been done earlier.
so the liberals ... Islamic fanatic have taken over turkey ???eh ??.. there is something known as humanity as well .
Bravo!!!!! Turkey. Now we can see what real democracy can do and when people of a country are given powers to rule. What a decision. I pity Pakistan with sham democracy, with 45% fake voters bringing criminals to power.
Long Live Turkey