SDEROT ROCKET SIRENS BLARE DURING VISIT BY TURKISH MPS
Roee Nahmias
Ynetnews
April 9 2008
Israel
Turkish parliamentarians tour rocket-battered town in southern Israel,
experience difficult reality first-hand. ‘They looked more alert but
they were understanding about it,’ said officials who were escorting
them. Delegation met later with president, foreign minister
Eight members of the Turkish Foreign Affairs Committee paid a unique
visit to southern Israel on Tuesday, the first such delegation from
Ankara to tour Israel that was not part of an entourage for a visiting
prime minister or other top legislator.
The ‘Color Red’ rocket alert sirens blared throughout the streets
of Sderot while the group was there, warning of an incoming Qassam
barrage from Gaza.
The delegation seemed unfazed by the incident, said Israeli officials
who accompanied the group. "They seemed a little more alert but seemed
to be understanding of the situation. It appeared as though they were
both apprehensive and expectant of the siren alert," State officials
told Ynet.
Heading the delegation, half of whose members belong to the ruling
‘Justice and Development Party,’ is MP Murat Marjan.
"The chairman of the committee came to politics from the academic
world. In their eyes the college is seen as a neutral space which
should not be targeted by terrorists. The fact that the Sapir College
had been hit by Qassam rockets spoke volumes to them," said the
Israeli officials.
No meetings with Hamas >>From Sderot the delegation headed for meetings
with President Shimon Peres, Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni
and their Israeli counterparts from the Knesset Foreign Affairs and
Defense Committee.
Among the topics raised during the meetings were current tensions
with Iran and Syria and recent calls in Israel to recognize the
Armenian genocide. It was also decided that in an effort to strengthen
relations,
lawmakers from the Turkish parliament and the Knesset would pay annual
visits to each other.
On Wednesday the delegation is scheduled to meet with Palestinian
officials in Ramallah. The MPs will not travel to the Gaza Strip due
to their government’s objection to Hamas’ actions.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed its satisfaction with the
visit and noted it was a testament to the exceptional relationship
between Jerusalem and Ankara.