Turkey demands Israel explain general’s remarks
The Associated Press
February 14, 2009
ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey’s foreign ministry has protested to Israel over
a senior Israeli general’s remarks criticizing Turkey.
The ministry says it summoned Israeli Ambassador Gabby Levy on Saturday
to discuss comments made Feb. 10 by Israel’s Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi.
Turkish media says the Israeli general accused Turkey of massacring
Armenians, oppressing Kurds and occupying Cyprus.
Turkey’s military says the remarks "cannot be accepted under any
condition" and "can harm national interests between the two countries."
The general’s remarks were an apparent response to Turkey’s prime
minister, who scolded Israeli President Shimon Peres over the Gaza war
at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.