TURKEY’S WAKEUP CALL FOR ISRAEL
By The Daily Star

Daily Star – Lebanon
Monday, October 12, 2009

Turkey’s decision to exclude Israel from an annual military drill ought
to come as warning bell to the Israeli people. Although diplomatic
relations between the two countries have at times experienced periods
of strain, Israel’s relationship with Turkey’s military, which is
highly secular and generally supportive of Israel, has remained
strong. The apparent disruption of the two countries’ strategic
military cooperation is therefore a sign that something is going
terribly awry.

What’s even more unusual about the move is that it coincides with
Turkey and neighboring Armenia’s push to resolve their own longstanding
feud. Leaders in both countries are taking major risks and facing
off strong opposition at home for the sake of peace and stability in
their region. Turkey’s peace drive in its neighborhood makes it all
the more unexpected for the country to suddenly decide to curtail
its relations with Israel.

Initial media reports suggest that the decision came as a result of
Turkey’s outrage over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. But it is more
likely that the move stems from a more general sense of frustration
over Israel’s intransigent attitude toward the Palestinian-Israeli
peace process.

The main obstacle to restarting those peace talks remains Israel’s
refusal to halt its illegal expansion of Jewish settlements on
occupied Palestinian territory. For the Palestinians, there is no
point in negotiating a deal that would see the creation of Palestine
if their future state is going to be riddled with Israeli colonies.

It is difficult to comprehend why Israel continues to be foolish enough
to sacrifice the opportunity for peace just to cling to its futile
settlement-expansion project. The settlements are a direct violation
of Israel’s "road map" obligations, as well as international law, and
thereby cultivate an image of Israel as an outlaw among nations. They
also serve to as fod for extremists who say that Israel has no desire
whatsoever to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. The settlers
themselves may believe that they are championing the project of
Greater Israel, but their dreams of building an empire in the 21st
century are at best delusional and at worst criminal.

It is instructive to consider the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s official
reaction to the accord that was signed over the weekend between
Turkey and Armenia: "The agreement proves yet again that open and
fearless negotiation is the only way to overcome differences and past
events and to open a new page that looks forward to the future." The
Palestinians and Israelis can prove the same if Israel seizes the
opportunity for talks.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress