Erdogan: Israel the main threat to peace in the Middle East

[ 07/04/2010 - 03:07 PM ]

PARIS, (PIC)-- Israel is the main threat to peace in the Middle East, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday at the onset of a visit to France.

Speaking to journalists in Paris before a working lunch with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Erdogan said that it is impossible to praise a country that exerted such excessive force in Gaza, including the use of phosphorus weapons.

“If a country uses disproportionate force in Palestine, in Gaza — uses phosphorous shells — we’re not going to say ‘bravo’,” he declared, referring to Israel January 2009 offensive against Gaza, which killed and injured more than 5,000 Palestinians.

Erdogan said Israel’s justification for the offensive on Gaza was based on “lies” and cited a report by United Nations investigator Richard Goldstone.

“Goldstone is a Jew and his report is clear,” the Turkish leader told reporters invited to meet him at the Paris Ritz. “It’s not because we are Muslims that we take this position. Our position is humanitarian. It’s Israel that is the principal threat to regional peace.”

Ankara slams Lieberman for his rude remarks about Erdogan

[ 07/04/2010 - 02:15 PM ]

ISTANBUL, (PIC)-- Ankara strongly denounced Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman for his blatant remarks in which he likened Turkish premier Recep Erdogan to Libyan president Musammar Al-Gaddafi and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

The Turkish minister of foreign affairs described in a statement on Tuesday Lieberman’s remarks as unfounded and outrageous.

“Lieberman's remarks are beyond the limits, inappropriate, and impertinent and bear no truth. Turkey calls on Israel to trade their meaningless and unacceptable attitude for common sense," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said on Tuesday.

“The remarks show that Lieberman continues to violate diplomatic rules that govern international relations,” the spokesman added.

Lieberman had told Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that “Erdogan is slowly turning into Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi or Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.”

“It's his choice. The problem is not Turkey; the problem is Erdogan," Lieberman added.

River to Sea
 Uprooted Palestinian