Turkey expects relations with Israel to return to normal shortly

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has harshly criticized Israel over its aggression towards Gaza which lasted 22 days and left more than 1,300 people dead.

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Diplomatic sources say Deputy Undersecretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Feridun Sinirlioglu had submitted Erdogan's private message to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Jan. 14 when tensions began to peak.

 

"This incident has exceeded the level of humanitarian and political tolerance. Israel should immediately end this military operation. This will bring no benefit to Israel. Turkey, as a friend, expects Israel to do this," Erdogan told Olmert, according to the message submitted by Sinirlioglu.

 

The message came after the foreign ministry considered various options and possible decisions regarding relations with Israel.

 

According to these assessments, Turkey had considered cutting diplomatic relations with Israel and suspending a defense deal. Still it is very unlikely Turkey will take any of these steps.

 

TURKEY DISSAPOINTED

Turkish diplomats said Israel's approach had disappointed the country which has worked hard to have Israel and Syria sit at the same table to discuss the conflicts.

 

There are two reasons behind Turkey's harsh reaction to Israel, according to diplomats. The first being that Erdogan feels betrayed given the fact that Israel had started the operation just a couple of days after Olmert's Ankara visit. The second for reasons that lie on humanitarian grounds.

 

Turkey is unlikely to be detached from the ceasefire process started on a French and Egyptian initiative and will continue its contacts with both Hamas and Israel.

 

Turkey will start working on the formation of the Middle East Security and Cooperation Conference.

 

The key of these efforts is the continuation of contacts with Israel. Turkish President Abdullah Gul may pay a visit to Israel in the near term.

 

The Turkish foreign ministry says it has made a major contribution to the peace process and will continue its pro-active foreign policy strategy. Therefore relations with Israel are expected to normalize in the short term.

 

*Fatih Cekirge is the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Internet operations.