Comments on: Turkey Threatens Israel with cut-off of Diplomatic Relations

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:33:35 +0000

Indeed they would likely gain stature in the Middle East by cutting ties with Israel completely until the occupation ends, or even just until the siege of Gaza is dismantled. But Turkey’s government would be well advertised to carefully consider the costs and benefits of doing so before committing themselves to such a significant change in policy.

It’s hardly a secret that Israel has benefitted from the support of some irrationally devoted supporters in the United States as well as in other NATO countries. Taking the hardline may, or may not, have consequences beyond a small loss of trade and tourism from Israel.

Foreign policy should be devised by informed debate and careful consideration, not spurred on by throwaway statements by hot-blooded Foreign Ministers like Davutoglu and idiots like Lieberman.

By: wingbat

wingbat — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:33:49 +0000

““Netanyahu will likely offer Obama more of these essentially phony peace moves in Washington.”

And Obama’s reply was…?

“The United States is committed to Israel’s security,” Obama said as the two leaders addressed reporters in the Oval Office. “We are committed to that special bond. And we are going to do what’s required to back that up, not just with words, but with actions.”

By: James Speaks

James Speaks — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:11:10 +0000

Turkey is dealing with the reality of Israel's persistent faux peace propaganda correctly. I think the best thing would be to place Israel on conditional status, i.e. for every week where Israel actually does what Israel has promised to do, double i.e. actually allowing sufficient raw materials into Gaza and allowing export of finished quantities in in sufficient quantities to matter , then Israel would receive a week of normal diplomatic relations. Otherwise, they can go through the Swiss embassy like the rest of the world. (Irony intentional)

By: Don

Don — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:57:36 +0000

Off topic of this post but an important post again today from Glenn Greenwald at salon.com. Glenn has been showing the weakness of the press, the power of the corporations, the BP/Government police state and with a focus on the attacks on the constitution of the USA.

Here is a post today on the war on terror.

link to salon.com

By: glen

glen — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:24:42 +0000

The BBC Tuesday, 6 July 2010 18:28 UK

“Obama calls for direct Mid-East peace talks to resume

US President Barack Obama has urged the Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct peace talks before a settlement freeze expires in September.”

If I may translate Obama’s words:
Palestinians have until September to accept the Israelis terms.
Otherwise the freeze is off.

This seems like a brazen attempt to legitimize the land grab.

The BBC, and everyone else, should know better than to use the word “settlements” Vis á vis Jerusalem and the West Bank.

By: Leila

Leila — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:37:42 +0000

Eloquent logic of what’s behind the words.

By: Richard Steven Hack

Richard Steven Hack — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:22:18 +0000

“Netanyahu will likely offer Obama more of these essentially phony peace moves in Washington.”

And Obama will accept them and issue a statement praising Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, Turkey would be well advised to actually cut off relations with Israel. It would immediately gain even more stature in the Middle East and would be the first country to treat Israel as it should be treated. It might encourage others to follow suit.