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On the road to a Military confrontation between Turkey and Israel

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  • On the road to a Military confrontation between Turkey and Israel

    Press statement by H.E. Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, regarding Turkish-Israeli relations, 2 September 2011

    Press statement by H.E. Mr. Ahmet Davuto

    Distinguished Members of the Press,

    You all know very well the reason why I will deliver this statement today.

    Approximately 15 months ago on the 31st of May 2010, Israel carried out an armed attack in the international waters of the Mediterranean, against an international aid convoy in which hundreds of passengers from 32 countries participated to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

    During this attack, Israeli soldiers killed 9 civilians, 8 of whom were Turkish and 1 was a US citizen, they injured many passengers and also forcefully brought the ship and its passengers to Israel.

    These people were subjected to all sorts of degrading treatment throughout their two-day captivity at the hands of Israel.

    Dear Friends,

    Approximately 15 months have elapsed since this unlawful attack.

    However, the concrete facts remain unchanged.

    I find it necessary to repeat them.

    The Israeli attack took place in international waters.

    Those killed by Israeli soldiers were innocent civilians.

    Those, whose lives were claimed, were civilians who wished to respond to the cry for help of the Palestinian people under the plight of the blockade enforced by Israel in violation of international law and human values.

    War is a harsh reality of the history of humanity.
    And war, above all, is the gravest violation of the human right to life, which constitutes the most sacred value.

    Indeed, all civilizations have developed the concept of a “just war” in order to regulate even war according to certain rules.

    For this reason, the use of military force has been restricted by very strict conditions in the United Nations Charter.

    Furthermore, it is for the conviction of the sanctity of the right to life, that even when the war is warranted, the killing of innocent civilians is accepted as a war crime.

    However, Israel, not in war but in peace time, not in a military but a civilian convoy; killed civilians who participated in a peaceful event organized to bring aid to innocent people suffering under a cruel embargo. This is the picture!

    Moreover, it did so, neither in its territory nor territorial waters, but in international waters, where freedom of navigation prevails as the most fundamental principle of international law.

    The crime committed by Israel is not a simple offense.

    It is international law that has been violated.

    It is the conscience of humanity and the most fundamental human value, the right to life that have been violated.

    There is an irreversible truth:

    And that is, the fact that attacking civilians in a ship part of an aid convoy, firing multiple times at unarmed people at the back of their neck is a crime against humanity.

    This crime cannot be covered under any guise nor justified under any circumstances.

    One other thing must also be underlined.
    No state is above the law.

    The world is currently changing.

    Those who claim the lives of civilians, or commit crimes against humanity are sooner or later brought before justice and face trial for their crimes.

    Neither the Israeli Government who ordered the attack against the Mavi Marmara nor the ones that actually carried out the attack are above or immune from the law. They all must be held accountable.

    In fact, they have already been convicted by the conscience of humanity.

    Distinguished Members of the Press,

    You will recall that, as Turkey, we promptly acted to ensure that this clear crime would not go unpunished and that justice would to take its course.

    To this end, within hours of the Israeli attack we called for an urgent session of the UN Security Council that very same day.

    In my speech before the UN Security Council, I stated that humanity had drowned in the waters of the Mediterranean with this Israeli attack which totally disregarded all norms of law, human conscience and values of humanity.

    Indeed, the UN Security Council, in the first hours of 1 June 2010, adopted a Presidential Statement with the agreement of all its members -an agreement of the entire international community.

    With this Statement, the Security Council called for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards, into the tragedy caused as a result of Israel’s use of armed force.

    Furthermore, the UN Human Rights Council based in Geneva, adopted a resolution by which it established a Fact-Finding Mission comprising highly prominent and specialized lawyers and launched an investigation process into the attack.

    The UN Secretary General also set up an Inquiry Panel in line with the call by the Security Council.

    As Turkey, we have fully cooperated with the Panel. We provided every contribution to speed up the investigation process and submitted our national report.

    Whereas Israel, despite being represented in the Panel, continuously acted with the intention to delay its work.

    Again, as you all very well know, we requested the Government of Israel to issue a formal apology and pay compensation to the families of and those close to the deceased. Moreover, we continued to emphasize that the blockade enforced against Gaza, which was explicitly criticized in the UN Security Council Presidential Statement, must be lifted.

    We also declared that if our conditions were not met, the Turkish-Israeli relations would not be normalized.

    On the other hand, upon being informed by the Government of Israel of its readiness to meet with Turkey with a view to apologize from the Turkish public and pay compensation to the families of and those close to the deceased, we held a total of 4 rounds of meetings at different times.

    During these meetings, agreement was reached a couple of times between the Turkish and Israeli delegations negotiating the texts of an agreement, which accommodated our claims for an apology and compensation.

    Indeed, ad referendum agreement was reached for the first time over two separate texts as a result of the meetings held in Geneva upon the request by the Israeli Prime Minister following Turkey’s contribution to the relief efforts to put out the forest fires in Israel in December 2010. This agreement was also endorsed by the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. However, due to the disagreements within the Israeli Council of Ministers, this agreement could not be implemented.

    Throughout this process, all the delays in the publication of the Palmer Commission’s report- I am emphasizing this since we are faced with a serious press manipulation- were caused as a result of the Government of Israel’s request for additional time to form its internal consensus over apology and compensation, in other words every postponement was at the request of the Government of Israel.

    The last request made by Israel for a 6 month-additional period was not accepted by Turkey. Because it was understood that all these requests for delay were aimed at prolonging the process.

    The leaking to the press of the report, to which neither Turkey nor Israel is a side, bearing only the signatures of its Chair Palmer and Vice-Chair Uribe, and before it was officially submitted to the UN Secretary General on 1 September, is quite thought-provoking in this sense. Yesterday I spoke in a frank manner to the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon on this subject. He expressed great astonishment and dismay that this report which had not yet been submitted to him and whose details he was not yet fully acquitted with would be leaked to the press as it had. Unfortunately, the Israeli side has not acted in a manner compatible with State solemnity and confidentiality in this process.

    First of all it should be stated that this report reflects only the views of the people abovementioned.

    The report clearly establishes and expresses the crimes committed by Israeli soldiers and other officials.

    In this respect, it explicitly concludes that attacking vessels with substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone was excessive and unreasonable.

    It also states that the loss of life and injuries caused by Israeli soldiers was unacceptable, none of the nine deaths was accounted for by Israel and that the evidence showed that most of the deceased were shot multiple times, including in the back, or at close range.
    The report clearly documents serious mistreatment of passengers, including physical mistreatment, harassment and intimidation, unjustified confiscation of belongings and denial of consular assistance.

    The report however alleges that the inhumane blockade enforced by Israel against Gaza is lawful.

    It is not possible and even out of the question to accept this approach.

    The Fact Finding Mission, comprising highly competent and specialized lawyers mandated by the UN Human Rights Council have reported that the Gaza blockade is unlawful. They clearly documented this in their work following the incident last year.

    This conviction was both endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council and supported by the UN General Assembly.

    When this is the case, clearly then the controversial views put forward by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Panel exceeding their mandates are based on political motives, rather than on legal grounds.

    Turkey in no way accepts this approach, which jeopardizes the functioning and integrity of the panel.

    Turkey totally rejects this approach, which it finds incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Presidential Statement adopted by the UN Security Council by consensus.

    In this vein, we are determined to refer this issue to the competent international legal authorities.

    Dear Friends,

    Turkey’s stance against this unlawful act of Israel from the first moment has been very clear and principled. Our demands are known.

    Our relations with Israel will not be normalized until these conditions are met.

    At this juncture, Israel has wasted all the opportunities it was presented with.

    Now, the Government of Israel must face the consequences of its unlawful acts, which it considers above the law and are in full disregard of the conscience of humanity. The time has come for it to pay a price for its actions.

    This price is, above all, deprivation of Turkey’s friendship.

    The only side responsible in reaching this stage, is the Government of Israel and the irresponsible act of the Government of Israel.

    In this context, our Government has decided to take the following measures at this stage:

    1. Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel will be downgraded to the Second Secretary level. All personnel starting with the Ambassador above the Second Secretary level, will return to their countries on Wednesday at the latest.

    2. Military agreements between Turkey and Israel have been suspended.

    3. As a littoral state which has the longest coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey will take whatever measures it deems necessary in order to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

    4. Turkey does not recognize the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel. Turkey will ensure the examination by the International Court of Justice of Israel's blockade imposed on Gaza as of 31 May 2010. To this end we are starting initiatives in order to mobilize the UN General Assembly.

    5. We will extend all possible support to Turkish and foreign victims of Israel’s attack in their initiatives to seek their rights before courts.

    Distinguished Members of the Press,

    I would like to emphasize another point.
    We in Turkey, we are the representatives of an understanding that advocates peace instead of eternal conflict and wants to establish justice instead of tyranny. Our foreign policy is based on this fundamental understanding.

    That is why, in the same manner that we have raised our voice against the massacres in Bosnia, in Kosovo, we have also shown our reaction following the brutal Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    Today, the Government of Israel must make a choice and the time has come to make that choice.

    Those who rule Israel need to see that it will only be possible to ensure real security by building a real peace.

    They should also understand that the path to building real peace passes through the strengthening of friendships, not by murdering citizens of friendly countries.

    However, it is also clear that the current Government of Israel is incapable of seeing this simple reality and comprehending the consequences of the huge changes taking place in the Middle East.

    On this occasion, I would like to emphasize that the measures we have adopted and we will adopt are linked only to the current Government of Israel's attitude.

    Our aim is not to harm or jeopardize the historic Turkish-Jewish friendship, on the contrary, we aim to encourage the Government of Israel to correct this mistake that does not befit this exceptional friendship.

    Turkey has always demonstrated a sincere and constructive attitude regarding the prevention of developments that adversely affect regional and global peace and stability and has always sought to correct their negative impact.

    Turkey has made known her demands and expectations in a very clear manner from the beginning and has done her part.

    I would like to underline it once more.

    The Government of Israel is the responsible party for the point we have reached today.

    As long as the Government of Israel does not take the necessary steps, we will not be able to revert from this point.

    I thank you.
    In summary, Turkey has:

    (a) Expelled the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey and downgrounded diplomatic relations;
    (b) Froze all military agreements between Turkey and Israel
    (c) Declared that it does not recognize the naval blockade of Gaza;
    (d) The most important of all: Stated that Turkey, as a country with the longest coastal line in the Eastern Mediterranean, would take every necessary measure pertaining to freedom of navigation.



    In relation to (d) above, the Government of the State of Israel released the following statement:

    ""Israel assumes that Turkey will respect international law with regard to sailing in the Mediterranean"

    BACKGROUND

    *Turkey has recently moved it's Black Sea Naval Fleet to the Mediterranean in response to Greek Cypriot-Israeli Oil exploration projects around Cyprus.
    *Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that it would significantly expand the Turkish Navy in order to create a naval force which would "dominate the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean and also stand before the Russian Black Sea Fleet": http://www.defencegreece.com/index.p...mediterranean/
    Last edited by airforceexpert; 03 Sep 11,, 04:45.

  • #2
    Bullocks!

    Turkey has no political desire to confront Israel on a turf she doesn't own.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
      Bullocks!

      Turkey has no political desire to confront Israel on a turf she doesn't own.
      Israeli-Greek Cypriot oil exploration on the shores of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will lead Turkey to act very irrationally with regard to Israel.

      Comment


      • #4
        Some more information on the Turkish version of events:

        ‘Israel’s bullying in eastern Med is over’
        Serkan Demirtaş
        ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
        Friday, September 2, 2011
        The eastern Mediterranean will no longer be a place where Israeli naval forces can freely exercise their “bullying” practices against civilian vessels, a Turkish official said Friday.

        The official said this would be the outcome of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s statement earlier in the day that “Turkey would take every precaution it deems necessary for the safety of maritime navigation in the eastern Mediterranean.”

        Davutoğlu’s statement about providing maritime safety in the eastern Mediterranean grabbed the most attention among the various sanctions against Israel the foreign minister announced Friday. He did not further elaborate, however, on what he meant by taking “every precaution.”

        The Turkish foreign minister’s statement will likely spark a new faceoff between Turkey and Israel, the region’s strongest armies, in the eastern Mediterranean. A potential confrontation between the two countries’ navies would have serious negative consequences for regional stability.

        Turkish diplomats told the Hürriyet Daily News that the Turkish Navy will be more visible in the eastern Mediterranean through regular patrolling in international waters. “A more aggressive strategy will be pursued. Israel will no longer be able to exercise its bullying practices freely,” one said.

        Using Turkish naval vessels to escort ships carrying aid to Palestine and observing free navigation in the zone between the island of Cyprus and Israel are among the plans set to be implemented, sources said, adding that Turkish war ships would be more frequently seen in the area.

        The zone described by Turkish sources has been the subject of a recent diplomatic struggle between Turkey and Greek Cyprus over the latter’s project to start drilling natural gas reserves. Greek Cyprus and Israel recently agreed to jointly initiate the drilling with the participation of some American companies.

        Turkey sees the gas-exploration deal as an agreement between two hostile countries against Turkey and has urged both parties not to get involved in such a project before a solution is found to the Cyprus issue in order to preserve the stability of the eastern Mediterranean.

        In an interview with daily Zaman on Friday, EU Minister Egemen Bağış hinted that Turkish Navy could intervene if Greek Cyprus does not call off the project. “That’s what a navy is for,” he said.

        Erdoğan plans Gaza visit

        As part of Turkey’s more aggressive strategy against Israel, sources told the Daily News that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is planning to visit Hamas-controlled Gaza in the coming weeks, an intention he voiced in late July.

        “Our prime minister has already instructed the Foreign Ministry to set a date for the visit. We are looking for the best timing for the visit,” a diplomatic source said. “Our primary purpose is to draw the world’s attention to what is going on in Gaza and to push the international community to end the unfair embargo imposed by Israel.”

        © 2011 Hurriyet Daily News
        URL: ‘Israel’s bullying in eastern Med is over’ - Hurriyet Daily News

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by airforceexpert View Post
          Israeli-Greek Cypriot oil exploration on the shores of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will lead Turkey to act very irrationally with regard to Israel.
          Israel is not going to militarily enforce that pact and Turkey is not going to war for the Palestinians.

          Let me put this another way. Neither country is going to start a war that they can't afford to win nor do they want to win.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
            Israel is not going to militarily enforce that pact and Turkey is not going to war for the Palestinians.
            I really hope so...it's a shame it got to this.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by airforceexpert View Post
              I really hope so...it's a shame it got to this.
              Got to what? Did Turkey send a warship? The professionals on both sides are shaking their heads.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
                Got to what? Did Turkey send a warship? The professionals on both sides are shaking their heads.
                Israeli and Cypriot commissioned US owned exploration vessels are in the area. There are reports that the Turkish Navy has commenced moving its Black Sea surface combatants to the shores of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus under the pretext of a naval exercise: Turkish 'exercise' to coincide with Cyprus drilling

                Comment


                • #9
                  That is not sending a warship off Israel's coast and Israel is not stupid enough to send warships to Turkey's backyard.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I have asked this in another thread...

                    Why is Turkey flexing mussels all of a sudden on several fronts?

                    There is ongoing operation against KPP
                    There is a tension with Syria
                    The relationship with Israel is getting downhill
                    Cyprus oil
                    Added to the constant pissing of the Greeks

                    Is it elections year in Turkey or there is something at home that should stay out of focus?
                    No such thing as a good tax - Churchill

                    To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Doktor View Post
                      I have asked this in another thread...

                      Why is Turkey flexing mussels all of a sudden on several fronts?

                      There is ongoing operation against KPP
                      There is a tension with Syria
                      The relationship with Israel is getting downhill
                      Cyprus oil
                      Added to the constant pissing of the Greeks

                      Is it elections year in Turkey or there is something at home that should stay out of focus?
                      No Election year. Turkey recently had an election in which the current government attained 50% of the Turkish vote.
                      The current government has made a significant foreign policy shift which is meeting with confrontation on many fronts.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by airforceexpert View Post
                        In summary, Turkey has:
                        (a) Expelled the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey and downgrounded diplomatic relations;
                        (b) Froze all military agreements between Turkey and Israel
                        (c) Declared that it does not recognize the naval blockade of Gaza;
                        (d) The most important of all: Stated that Turkey, as a country with the longest coastal line in the Eastern Mediterranean, would take every necessary measure pertaining to freedom of navigation.
                        It's bad thing that the events happened between Turkey and Israel caused to collapse of all relations, agreements etc...Throughout the history these two nations always managed to stay out of war and had trade each other. It is understood that both Israeli and Turkish sides don't need each other anymore. How so? Thats the point and should be discussed. If a warfare or naval battle occures, that would be benefit of none. I also wonder how the USA will act in near future. Yes, a role of ''peacemaker'' would be possible but I don't think only trying to calm Turkey and Israel would work this time. I don't want to be unfair against Israel but they shouldn't have attacked to ''blue marmara'' (mavi marmara- original name) ship which thoroughly ruined all the relations set up before. It is obvious that the Israeli government was the key reason behind this event i mean their ideological perspective makes them more aggresive in my opinion. Of course they could say the same thing because Turkey have conservative government either. But... Attacking against a ship was a different thing... Thats beyond diplomacy and cannot be explained at all...

                        '' (d) The most important of all: Stated that Turkey, as a country with the longest coastal line in the Eastern Mediterranean, would take every necessary measure pertaining to freedom of navigation.''

                        This one seems crucial. Lets see how it goes...
                        Last edited by Falcon_16; 03 Sep 11,, 17:01.

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