67 thoughts on “Erdogan Tells Turkish Parliament Next Gaza Aid Convoy May Have Military Escort – Tikun Olam תיקון עולם إصلاح العالم
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  1. Consider this, if Turkey was to send a naval escort to break the blockade then Israel would have to choose between a humiliating backdown on its blockade or a full-scale military confrontation with Turkey. The latter would also involve the potential invocation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Of course NATO is not going to attack Israel, so if this were to happen, the organisation would simply collapse. There’s no way Obama is going to let any of this happen.

    Turkey won’t send a military escort because Obama will talk Erdogan back from anything provocative.

    I’m opposed to the blockade and Israeli actions against the flotilla but I think we have to be realistic, Turkey will do jack.

    1. I think you’re misreading Erdogan. He’s no Obama. He’s not going to fold at the first cold breeze that blows his way. And if Obama wants to talk him out of the military escort Erdogan is going to make him pay a price.

      1. I guess we’ll have to see, I agree that Erdogan will make him pay a price though. This will be particularly costly for Obama in terms of working on a resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, he needs Turkish cooperation on that.

      2. I just emailed you a copy of Paul Craig Roberts’ article from last night’s http://www.counterpunch.org, in which he quotes a Turkish gov’t official stating that the next aid ship will be accompanied by a Turkish naval escort. I presume he is referring to the Rachel Corrie. I hope they do. If the Israelis try to block that, that will be not only an act of war against Turkey, but possibly of NATO. What next? At this point I don’t put anything past Israel, nor its complicit backers (US).

      3. I think Erdogan is a big talker who figured out that talking big on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict solidifies his domestic support base. I think most of the elite is probably horrified by his seeming wish to move away from the West.

        I do not believe he will send his soldiers to try and run the Israeli blockade, and I believe if he does, Israel has a right to defend itself accordingly. I fail to see how the blockade of Gaza affects Turkish interests in any real way.

        You can characterize the flotilla incident anyway you want, but it is not a military attack on Turkey, and Erdogan attempt to cast it that way is irresponsible demagoguery for domestic consumption.

        1. Attacking a Turkish-flagged ship and killing Turkish citizens is an act of war in anybody’s book. The irresponsible demagoguery seems to be coming out of the mouths of the Israeli/Zionist propagandists, and people like you seem to be buying into it.

          What I am really afraid of, is that if the Turks hold their promise to escort further attempts to run the blockade and Israel repeats its piracy, then all hell will really break out. And I’m wondering if this isn’t all a prelude to “Iran”, which will make this look liquor store hold-up.

          1. “Attacking a Turkish-flagged ship and killing Turkish citizens is an act of war in anybody’s book. ”

            No, it is not, particularly not when the soldiers are defending themselves. Classically, trying to break a blockade is a lot closer to an act of war. And though this ship was flying Turkish flag, I think we can acknowledge that the ship did not represent the Republic of Turkey. Turkey knows full well that Israel has no intention of starting a war with Turkey.

            Surely you can understand when political leaders act out of concern for domestic political considerations. That is what Erdogan is doing here. The religious middle class types who support IHH are the people who got him elected. The elite who are part of the diplomatic corp and the leadership of army are likely horrified by the idea of provoking an actual military confrontation with Israel over Gaza and Erdogan’s move away from NATO and the West, because none of it holds any real benefit for Turkey. That’s my political analysis, not my Zionist propaganda. This is simple populism on Erdogan’s part.

          2. Classically, trying to break a blockade is a lot closer to an act of war.

            ONly if the blockade is a legal one, which this one is not.

            though this ship was flying Turkish flag, I think we can acknowledge that the ship did not represent the Republic of Turkey

            You’re making meaningless distinctions. Under maritime law any ship flying a national flag is considered a representative of that country and a hostile act against it is a hostile act against that state. This is the way Turkey has interpreted the attack and rightfully so.

            Turkey knows full well that Israel has no intention of starting a war with Turkey.

            Many major wars have been provoked by far less. It doesn’t matter what Israel intended or didn’t intend. What matters is what happened, the outcome, the dead.

            That is what Erdogan is doing here.

            And yr deep expertise in Turkish politics you come by how? Once again I find this objectionable. Leaders of other states are viewed as representing their national interest. But Erdogan is viewed as a crass politician concerned with panderin to his Islamist base. He is no more pandering to his base than Barack Obama or any other serious national leader does. To imply anything else is noxious.

            Erdogan’s move away from NATO and the West

            Once again preposterous. Where do you get any support for this notion? It’s ludicrous. He’s done no such thing.

          3. “… Israel repeats it’s piracy,…”
            Piracy?

            Here’s the international law on this subject:

            San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, 12 June 1994.

            PART III, SECTION V : NEUTRAL MERCHANT VESSELS AND CIVIL AIRCRAFT
            Neutral merchant vessels

            67. Merchant vessels flying the flag of neutral States may not be attacked unless they:
            1. (a) are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search or capture;
            2. (b) engage in belligerent acts on behalf of the enemy;
            3. (c) act as auxiliaries to the enemy s armed forces;
            4. (d) are incorporated into or assist the enemy s intelligence system;
            5. (e) sail under convoy of enemy warships or military aircraft; or
            6. (f) otherwise make an effective contribution to the enemy s military action, e.g., by carrying military materials, and it is not feasible for the attacking forces to first place passengers and crew in a place of safety. Unless circumstances do not permit, they are to be given a warning, so that they can re-route, off-load, or take other precautions.

            now, let’s review: The flotilla’s stated purpose was to run the blockade (to dispute the legality of which is not the flotilla’s job) . In addition, recorded video clearly showed the ships refused to stop when asked and “clearly resist visit, search”. So, part (a) clearly applies.

            Since Hamas is Israel’s enemy and is considered by many states to be a terrorist organization, part (c) may apply as well.

            So, Israel acted according to law on this matter and your claim of piracy or an act of war against Turkey is invalid.

            It boils down to this: A state has the right to uphold it’s blockade. You disagree with the blockade? Fine. There are means for that and running the blockade isn’t one of them.

          4. The flotilla’s stated purpose was to run the blockade (to dispute the legality of which is not the flotilla’s job)

            Who gives a flyin’ fig what you think the flotilla’s “job” was. Did they need to ask your permission to sail? Or Israel’s? No. The blockade is not legal. Therefore running the blockade is not illegal except acc. to Israel. No one else accepts yr position. No one.

            Don’t quote the San Remo manual again. Period. BORING. And irrelevant.

          5. Gee, I should make a copy-and-paste text for refuting this, seeing as hasbarists all over the internet like to copy and paste this San Remo manual. The short version:

            a) This is *not* international law. It’s a manual compiling international law. But of course, all the hasbara parrots
            b) The actual conventions governing this deal with international armed conflicts. Since Gaza is not a state, the quoted passage is – quelle surprise – entirely irrelevant.

        2. @hophmi: “I fail to see how the blockade of Gaza affects Turkish interests . . . ”
          And you are not capable of understanding that maybe Erdogan is not entirely motivated by “Turkish interests” ?? The Turkish population as a whole was very shocked by the massacres in Gaza last year and apparently Erdogan is the only one “with ba…” in the region. Notice, he’s the only one democratically elected too.
          Take a look at this video:
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRB1vQVqdQA

          Look at the Arab traitor, Amr Moussa, getting up, thanking Erdogan, and … sitting down again …. on his Arab pride !
          Long live Erdogan – makes me feel like learning Turkish

          1. I think I just explained that Erdogan has other interests in mind besides Turkish ones, namely his own political interests.

            With all due respect, I don’t think it takes “balls” for a Muslim Middle Eastern leader to unleash harsh rhetoric about Israel. I think it just takes a populist streak and a little hothead irresponsibility for which Erdogan is well-known. Erdogan is following the people. And yes, he’s democratically elected, that’s true. That does not mean he is doing the right thing here.

            Balls is Anwar Sadat going to Jerusalem and eventually losing his life for it, not telling a friendly mob how much you hate Israel.

          2. Erdogan has other interests in mind besides Turkish ones, namely his own political interests.

            I find this comment objectionable. Would you also say that Barack Obama’s political interests are different than U.S. interests? I don’t think you would which is why this comment verges on racism.

            I don’t think it takes “balls” for a Muslim Middle Eastern leader to unleash harsh rhetoric about Israel.

            Oh, he did more than that. Much more if you read today’s post. He actually sent his miltary planes to Israel & forced Bibi’s hand. That took beytzim, as they say in Hebrew.

            I didn’t know there was anything wrong with a national leader being a populist. Is that bad in your book? As for being hot headed, he uses it to his advantage as you can see in the Peres Davos video. Erdogan is widely considered one of the most effective Turkish leaders in decades. So if you want to claim that his being hot headed makes him a defective leader the facts and his popularity in Turkey argue differently.

          3. Yes, and if I remember correctly, Erdogan only reacted after having been chastised by a rambling, incoherent Peres for over 20 minutes. And even then he starts by saying respectfully: “You are older than me…”

        3. Fanatical pro-Israelis have mesmerized themselves to believe that the present policies of Turkey (and Iran) are guided only by the religion and not by rational political thinking. That is extremely naive thinking and as naive as it would be to say that USA (or Israel) acts like it acts simply because of their religion.

          Both Turkey and Iran act like big nations do when they want a bigger role which in relation to their history and size of population (and raw materials) and in that “activity” religion is a minor motivator. Can anybody seriously believe that Israel with its 5 million Jews’ population could dominate several over 10 times more populous historical leading regional powers for a longer time than it now has succeeded to dominate. Israel’s regional dominance has been one of the “miracles” of history but it is unrealistic to believe that this anomaly based only ability to manipulate the western powers could continue still for decades to come. It is 100 percent sure that Israel will “shrink” to its natural size as a regional power. If Israel has still nukes after 10 years so will Turkey, Iran, Egypt etc have and there is nothing USA can do to avoid that development.

      4. Sorry to do this here, but I have been looking around your site for an e-mail address to contact you at, Mr. Silverstein, about sending you a review copy of an upcoming book that might interest you. Could you share your email address so it will be easier to get in touch with you?

        Thanks so much!
        Lee & Low Books Publicity/Marketing Department

    2. Craig Murray writes that there already is unrest at NATO, with murmurs that it had become an instrument to carry out US foreign policy.

  2. I don’t think Erdogan will do this, as attempting to break a blockade is an act of war.

    One thing is a tragic situation out of control on a civilian ship which results in deaths and some prime time on Al-Jazeera and a couple of front pages for the conspiring party, the IHH.

    The other is full-out blockade running by the Turkish Navy. Is Erdogan looking for a war? I don’t think so. In addition, he must be pretty sure of his command over the military which, in Turkey, isn’t obvious.

    What’s more, Erdogan won’t be understood in the West despite what some may think. The blockade of Gaza is probably legal by international law and in any case, it’s not Erodgan’s place to dispute it with his navy.

    I agree with Alex above that Obama will probably interfere and agree to some investigation of what happened to appease Erdogan.

    1. The international law arguments over the blockade tend to break down over whether Israel is an occupier in Gaza. So, if you believe they are not, the blockade is a legal way of dealing with the Hamas enemy, to keep them from smuggling weapons. If you believe they are, then you believe the blockade is illegal. Like a lot of these things, the US supports it on paper, the Europeans don’t say much, and the UNHCR, dominated by Muslim states and fellow travelers, condemn it early and often.

      Regardless, I don’t think it is Turkey’s best interest to provoke a military confrontation with Israel, and I don’t want to think about what will happen if Turkey actually sends its navy to run the blockade.

    2. Well, if you’re into that, attacking a Turkish ship in international waters can be also understood as amounting to an act of war. (And no, it is far from certain that Israel’s naval blocade of Gaza is legitimate — see paragraphs 102-103 of the San Remo Manual. At the very least, with the UNSC calling the current state of affairs “not sustainable,” the burden of proof for the legitimacy of the blocade rests on Israel and should be carried out in recognized international forums, not in Hasbara campaigns).
      As far as Erdogan is concerned, ordering a Turkish navy escort of the next flotilla to Gaza will serve him perfectly in his conflict of interests with the Turkish army command. Refusing to escort a future flotilla will turn the Turkish generals into cowards and Zionist accomplices in the eyes of the Turkish public opinion, and that’s about the last thing they need if they want to step openly into the political sphere (which Erdogan may well fear).

        1. Israel have not signed San Remo, since there’s nothing to be signed. San Remo is not a binding legal document, merely a clarification of established norms under the Geneva Conventions, which were ratified by Israel in 1951.

          There was no attack on a Turkish ship, under the above mentioned San Remo guidelines which are recognized by both sides.

          There is a blockade of Gaza (of disputed legality). The ship attempted to run it, and actively refused to be boarded. That’s all there is to it, from a legal point of view.

          As for Meni’s comment concerning the convenience of sending the navy as escort, I very much agree. Erdogan has the Navy between a rock and hard place and might demand a steep political price form the US/EU/Israel.

          1. If the blockade on Gaza is “of disputed legality,” Israel should be expected to work for an internationally agreed solution to the situation, not to use brute force with catastrophic consequences for people who are certainly not a side to the conflict. I think that establishing some kind of internationally monitored mission inspecting ships bound for Gaza to rule out the presence of military supplies would do the job, but nothing less than that. Having the ships anchor in Israel and submit to a unilateral Israeli inspection of their cargo and to Israeli transport of the supplies (which nobody can guarantee will be transmitted in full) amounts to a surrender. Anyone is free to do that, of course, but not everyone should be expected to.

          2. There was no attack on a Turkish ship

            I do so love when the hasbara crowd tries to tell you that something you can right before your very eyes, isn’t there. Reminds me of Kiss Me Kate. So 9 or more passengers were killed by the IDF, but there was no attack on a Turkish ship. Makes sense to me.

      1. “And no, it is far from certain that Israel’s naval blocade of Gaza is legitimate”

        It’s most definitely illegitimate. See above.

        1. Koshiro, if Gaza is not a state than you must consider it to be a part of Israel, occupied or otherwise. In this case, Israel has all the authority to prevent a Turkish ship from entering.

          1. “In this case, Israel has all the authority to prevent a Turkish ship from entering.”
            Sure, that’s a reasonable legal viewpoint. It could certainly be challenged, seeing as how Israel is also bound by several other agreements, but it’s not entirely unreasonable.

            But it is entirely irrelevant, since this attack happened in international waters and not in Israeli territorial waters.

            Really, there’s no way to wiggle out of this. You might as well stop trying now and save yourself further embarassment.

      1. I like them all! They are all very appropriate to define this bald-faced liar.

        Bravo Richard on these excellent articles and again on your pursuit of justice!

  3. “Many rabbis and professionals have told me recently that they fear for their jobs should they even begin to articulate their doubts about Israeli policy–much less give explicit support to calls for an end to the occupation.”

    — Rabbi Michael Lerner
    April 28, 2002 in the Los Angeles Times

    1. And I know of one rabbi here in SoCal who is the most outspoken against Israel that this did occur to. He is now without a synagogue to call his home, has been for quite a while.

  4. Looks like you found a new hero. I haven’t seen you this excited since Obama won the the election. So the Palestinians have a new savior. Erdogan now joins the list with the previous giants who fought for the Palestinians, including Nasser and Saddam Hussein. He will probably end up the same way they did, if he decides to take us on.

  5. Where is turkey interests?? but where is america interest in supporting israel? In staying in iraq?
    You will have to give me the answer!
    My second point, i think turkey is determine to end this blokade and show israel it is the super power in middle east and more i see erdogan how he was hurt for the palestinians when he leave the international economic forum! Israel was thinking along its supporters,the west, that they can continue their killing for ever! Its enough now!

  6. A blockade is traditionally considered an act of war. Israel boarded a ship flying the Turkish flag killed at least 10 people some of whom where Turkish Citizens and they did it in International waters, you can bet that Turkey is not going to just let that go. The U.N has called the Blockade illegal and have called on more than one occasion for it to be lifted. Israel’s blockade is in part to inflict collective punishment on people of Gaza because of Hamas and the fact that they voted for Hamas. All the talk about bring it to an Israeli port and it will be shipped to Gaza is a joke, some might find its way to Gaza eventually but not all of it certain construction materials will be likely held back. The fact is that people don’t trust Israel to deliver the aid in full and in a timely manner nor do they trust Egypt to do it. I think that Israel would be absolute fools if they tried to seize the Rachel Corrie if it where being escorted by Turkish Warships but then again the Israeli’s have proven time and time again that they will do stupid things believing they can get away with them. They try to board the Rachel Corrie while under Turkish escort and it could very well lead to a skirmish which could lead to a war, and since Turkey is part of NATO that could cause a whole mess of troubles. Obama will likely try to discourage Turkey from taking such a step but I doubt Turkeys cooperation will be free. Turkey might insist that the U.S support a U.N resolution against the blockade or at the very least us more firm language in condemning the attack on the flotilla than what the U.S is current using. The fact of the matter Israel acted very stupidly in attacking the flotilla, it was in international waters thus making it an act of piracy, they took a huge hit in their public relations because of what happened regardless of how they try to spin it, and the hurt their relations with a close regional ally, all for what to keep 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid out of Gaza and to prove how macho they are.

    1. “A blockade is traditionally considered an act of war.”

      Yes, it is. But it is not an act of war against Turkey, and people cannot run up the white flag and then start beating up soldiers. Again, ask yourself why there was no violence on five of these ships. It’s because the people did not beat up the soldiers. I can confidently say, especially after listening to Regev, that a confrontation with Turkey is the last thing Israel wants right now.

      Let’s stop the pro-Turkey hasbara effort here, because that is what this is turning into. Turkey is not squeaky clean here, and I don’t need to say, given Turkish history, what high hypocrisy it is for Turkey to tell others how to deal with minorities. How did Turkey deal with the Kurds? How’s that statehood campaign going? Who’s the country who throws a temper tantrum anytime someone mentions Armenia and genocide in the same sentence?

      According to the UN, the blockade is illegal. The reasoning is that Israel is still an occupier, and therefore has responsibility for the civilians. But if Gaza were a state, and Hamas was firing rockets into Israel, Israel would be well within its rights under any analysis to enforce a blockade, because it would be universally accepted that Israel was in a state of war with Gaza. The point is that the illegality of the blockade has less to do with collective punishment than it does with Gaza’s status.

      1. I can confidently say, especially after listening to Regev, that a confrontation with Turkey is the last thing Israel wants right now.

        You should not be so confident basing any feeling or idea you might have on one of Israel’s most sleazy flack/liars, Mark Regev. He could lie his way out of the electric chair if he was a condemned man.

        Israel has historically been all too willing to cause confrontations w. Turkey. Ehud Olmert went to war in Lebanon the week after he’d agreed to negotiate with Syria under Turkish mediation. That was how the bad blood started.

        Repression of the Kurds was even more severe under previous governments. Erdogan is a modernizer and reformer and far more effective than previous secular leaders.

        if Gaza were a state

        Which it isn’t, rendering the rest of your statement irrelevant.

  7. “But this is precisely how the Israelis view any infringement on their hegemony: as a declaration of war.”

    An attempt to run the Blockade by Turkish warships is actually an Act of War by all internationally accepted standards. To claim that it is an ‘infringement’ is disingenuous to the seriousness of the potential act. By attempting to run the Blockade, Turkey would be choosing to not remain neutral in the conflict. You don’t have to explicitly fire the fire shot to make an Act of War.

    1. An attempt to run the Blockade by Turkish warships is actually an Act of War by all internationally accepted standards.

      Not true at all. It would be a hostile act if the warships were invading Israeli territorial waters. But they would be entering Gaza’s territorial waters and Israel has no legal jurisdiction over Gaza’s waters. Period.

  8. Yakov,

    For argument sake, let’s accept that based on what you have put forth, Israel was right in the manner in which she intercepted the humanitarian convoy, the fact remains that equally under recognised International Law, Israel herself is in breach of her obligations under same including the notion of “Collective Punishment” [Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention].

    Thus by continuously imposing a blockade surrounding Gaza, is not Israel in breach of the aforesaid Convention? She is not just punishing Hamas but the entire Palestinian population.

  9. There is no “misread” on the question of Erdogan’s promise to send an escort. I read that too, in a coupla articles yesterday. But I read so much that I can’t remember which of the hundreds of articles reported it. However, I notice a kind of climb-down today by Erdogan:

    “Speaking to rapturous applause from deputies of his ruling party, he said those Israeli officials responsible for the attack should be punished and that Turkey would support the Palestinian people “even if all others are silent, close their eyes or turn their backs”. He said aid ships for Gaza would reach their destination “one day”.”

    So either he’s given second thought to the escort idea, or he’s decided to play his cards a little closer to his chest now.

    http://thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100602/FOREIGN/706019785/0/NATIONAL

  10. [comment rule violation–when you can promise me you will not post comments using fake identities & violate the comment rules, I will consider allowing you to comment]

  11. the hasbarists like yacov have been cutting and pasting that San Remo manual for several days now…and their spin machine is working overtime now….HOWEVER this small bit of info is courtesy of Yvonne Ridley who included this brief maritime reminder today on Counterpunch:
    …”under article 3 of the Rome Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety
    of Maritime Navigation of 1988, it is an international crime for any person to seize or exercise control over a ship by force, and also a crime to injure or kill any person in the process. The treaty necessarily adopts a strict approach. One cannot attack a ship and then claim self-defense if the people on board resist the unlawful use of violence.
    In other words, according to international law, the actions of the Israeli military were beyond the law and those involved should be treated no differently than, say, the Somali pirates who are also in the habit of boarding ships by force.
    Any rights to self defense in such dramatic circumstances rests purely with the passengers and crew on board. Under international maritime law you are legally entitled to resist unlawful capture, abduction and detention.”

    Having listened to a brief interview with Norm Finkelstein earlier…his words are buzzing in my head..namely that Israel is now acting as a lunatic state..its unravelling…and there are just too many frightening scenarios which are possible. I wish the Hasbarists would cease and desist and allow SANITY to prevail…there is no winning …..and tonight we still do not have the names of the nine dead humanitarian workers. Compliance with some law….if not international then perhaps the one that asks that we deal JUSTLY.

  12. The thing I find most amusing when hasbarists trot out the San Remo manual, not only because it doesn’t apply (as mentioned above) but also because in the very same manual (I think it’s point 103 and 104) it also states that a blockade is illegal if the blockading state doesn’t provide *sufficient* (not some) food, living necessities and medical supplies. And anyone who believes the hasbara that Gazans are getting enough food clearly hasn’t heard the ‘1/4 of what’s necessary’ estimates from the UN or the ‘we’re putting them on a diet’ comments from the Israeli government. And medical supplies, dudes, plenty of people have died because of a lack of those since the blockade begun. Think it’s like 300+

  13. Erdogan’s move away from NATO and the West

    You confuse the US with “NATO and the West” I think.

    Turkey called an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors. This is Craig Murray’s take:
    http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2010/06/israeli_murders.html

    Even the Eastern Europeans have not been backing the US line on the Israeli attack. The atmosphere in NATO on the issue has been very much the US against the rest, with the US attitude inside NATO described to me by a senior NATO officer as “amazingly arrogant – they don’t seem to think it matters what anybody else thinks”.

  14. The blockade is illegal by the U.N. It was in international waters. The law is the law. They should have waited until they reached their waters. They didn’t. All other points are legally mute. Either you go by the law or you don’t. I would gladly give my life to stop the insanity imposed on the children of Gaza. The zionists are truly insane. The incident is one thing but the msm spin and Israeli administraiton and surrogates lies afterward reinforces every word Dr. Finkelstein speaks. I would enlist if we could go to war with Israel. I’m a U.S. citizen and I know I live in a nightmare of a country. It’s going to get worse here before it gets better, but it will get better. And to respond to the person who asks, “Do you think Obamas interests are different that Americas interest?” The answer is hell yes. He serves his Wallstreet money masters. He is just like every president we’ve had since Kennedy. A dirty lying bastard.

    1. I really wish I didn’t have to approve this comment since I object to it so strongly. It doesn’t quite cross the line though it comes awfully close. It occurs to me this person could also be a troll.

  15. You find my comments about Erdogan objectionable and racist? Sorry, Richard, but I think that’s BS. I took pains to point out that my analysis was a political one and could apply to Western leaders as well. I should not have to point out that of course, Erdogan may believe it is Turkey’s best interests to act this way even if I don’t. I don’t think everything Obama does foreign policywise is in the national interest either, though I accept that he thinks so.

    Populism is fine, Richard, but we elect leaders to lead, not to follow. Sometimes populism produces the right policy. Sometimes it is just demagoguery to build electoral majorities. It is not in and of itself a good thing.

    It’s simple, Richard, if you don’t agree, simply tell us how Gaza is part of the Turkish national interest and how provoking a war with Israel and moving away from NATO and the West is in the Turkish national interest. I don’t see how this helps Turkey so much as the man running the country.

    1. I have the impression that Erdogan has some genuine feelings on the whole Gaza situation. I do not think it is merely populism.

  16. mr erdogan has said he will send some of his warships with
    the next flotilla to gaza when he enters israeli waters
    and israel thretens to attack his ships entering there waters
    he must be prepared for war lets hope isreal backoff
    for there sake

  17. Richard…just got twittered FGM that they are now on their way to ashdod after hour + of threats…no more info for now.

  18. have just sent email received from Ramzi Kysia at free gaza who sent out press release ….Yediot Ahranot posted the Naval video/audio of their communications….no further information other than what I just sent to you…..sadly…another 1200 tons may be lost….but we must persist./ miriam

  19. We should also note Greece’s stance which also reacted strongly against Israel.

    The Israelis have also attacked 2 Greek-flag bearing ships along with Turkey’s ships on that very day but the Greeks had no life losses.

    Immediatelly Greece cancelled a joint military exercise with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador in Athens and cancelled this week’s upcoming trip of Israeli officials to Athens

  20. I think they just underestimate Turkey and he could not even believe it when the guy said “Turkey is sending the next ship escorted by war ships” he kept saying, “you’re joking” but believe or not guys, nobody has the balls of the PM Erdogan’s balls :-))) and if he said he will send the next one with war ships he really means it.

    There is another thing that USA and Israel has a power that any war vehicle they sell to you they can deactive it through the sattelite which means if USA sold an aircraft to you, it will not be used against USA, from the sattellite they can make sure that. But Turkey found a formula to brake the password and it was a very big step and i think they are trying to prove Israel that they are not the only power in the region and it can even lead to war even though Israel says “they must be joking :-)))”

    No they are not joking, Turkey has now a stronger army and technology, a wapon factory called Aselsan, and they now make war robots, aircrafts, tanks and everything you can imagine and the polulation of Turkish army is even bigger than the population of the Israil. Turkey is the 15th richest largest economy and Israel is number 39, Turkey has 80 million population, Israil is only 7 so from all perspectives Israil can’t screw with Turkey, they will soon learn that Turkey is not Palestine.

    I also think that Turkey is playing these games recently that they are intentionally trying to screw with Israil, so they must have some confidence. Remember, nobody tell 100% power of their army, it alway has the possibility to surprise, and Turkey is not that small fish as Israil things.

  21. By the way there is one more thing, Turkey is not the Turkey of 5 years ago. They are now fully independent on improving their defense system and they have the factory.

    Turkey spends 11 billion dollar a year for their army, they will go to Gaza with the war ship escorts and believe me guys Israil does not have the balls to stop them and they will prove it.

    Israil is not that stupid to start a war with a bigger fish than themselves, they already know that Turkey is not Palestine and they will definitely not throw rocks, they will be carrying live ammunition.

    If America does not help Israil, they will only watch. And Turkey has the same right on international water as Israil does. Why Israil can block that place? So let them share with Turks and see how it goes :-)))

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