Turkey demands apology from Israel over envoy 'slight'

Turkey demands apology from Israel over envoy 'slight'

news.bbc.co.uk

Turkey has demanded that Israel apologise over... the "discourteous" way its ambassador was treated... Israel summoned Turkey's ambassador to rebuke him over a TV series but ensured he was photographed on a lower chair.

One Israeli newspaper... captioned [the photo] "the height of humiliation".

The meeting with the Turkish ambassador, was called over... fictional television series... It depicts Israeli intelligence... running operations to kidnap babies and convert them to Judaism.

(visit the link for the full news article)

At first this just sounds like a storm in a teacup - but on closer examination it is actually symptomatic of worsening relations between Turkey and Israel, which has its roots in the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Both are key US allies, though for very different reasons.

Turkey finds itself at a major crossroads in its history. While the government has gone to considerable lengths to strengthen its application to the European Union many perceive that the populace is wavering over which direction the country should take. Will it manage to continue on a path of political moderation or will it fall victim to the influence of radical Islamist extremists?

In the light of such questions a diplomatic spat with Israel might contribute to polarization.

On a (slightly) lighter note, here's what sparked the current episode:


[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/113d13e4a714.jpg[/atsimg]



news.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

This photo is hard evidence as to just how interlinked and hand-in-hand the media and the government really is to the point where they are just one entity rather than two.

reply to post by star in a jar


You know, I find it really interesting that this is the BBC's top "Middle East" story right now, while the following have been shuffled off to the sides of the page:

US denies killing Iran scientist Massoud Ali Mohammadi

Saudi troops retake village from Yemen Houthi rebels

Dutch inquiry says Iraq war had no mandate

Alastair Campbell defends 'every word' of Iraq dossier

Its not the most slow news day by any means, and the best they can come up with is a silly row between Israel and Turkey resulting from, of all things, a television show:

The meeting with the Turkish ambassador, Ahmet Oguz Celikkol, was called over the fictional television series Valley of the Wolves, popular in Turkey.

It depicts Israeli intelligence operatives running operations to kidnap babies and convert them to Judaism.

Last October Israel complained over another Turkish series, which depicted Israeli soldiers killing Palestinians. In one clip, an Israeli soldier shoots dead a smiling young girl at close range.

Seriously, Israel? Grow a little backbone, will ya? But more importantly...

Seriously, BBC? Report on some real news.

reply to post by star in a jar & Someone336


You both make good points. It's only by reading between the lines that you get a feel for what's actually going on. Deflection and spin haven't gone away!

The story may sound pathetic at first - but it illustrates some very nasty feelings between these two.

Not Fair! Your chair is higher than mine.

What are these people on about. What ignorant nations -don't they know that when you are a powerless baby you are in a high chair?

And when you are presumably of better judgement you are in a lower chair?

These people have no judgement or caring at all. They do not deserve ANY CHAIR.

I despair of the sanity of humankind, leaving people starving, dying and suffering while they are pissed off about which chair they sit in. In other words, which ignorant idiot is looking down upon another ignorant idiot.

Lord help us.

In Middle East and in diplomacy where honor and prestige are very important those kind of games are not wise to play. It is not a big story, surely. But just as OP noted it is sign of "ice age" in Israel-Turkey relationship. And also it paints clear picture of "wisdom" of Israeli foreign minister, mr Lieberman.

reply to post by ZeroKnowledge


Crap to bowing down to diplomacy - it is all an act and what it boils down to is that none of these people care about their own people, only about their own prestige.

And that applies to all diplomacy, which equals political correctness, which is a bunch of hypocrisy and lies.

reply to post by pause4thought


They should grow up.Its only a chair afterall,its not like they slapped him or actually insulted him.If its an insult its the kind that is a matter of opinion and therefore shouldn't necessarily count.If he can ignore his country's continued 'genocide' of Palestinians,then i am sure he can ignore this perceived 'insult'.