Tensions between Israel and Turkey continues to grow [View All]

[Hope And Change]

Turkish military and foreign ministry protest IDF Major General's comments in Haaretz

Last update - 18:05 14/02/2009

By Reuters

Tags: IDF, Israel news, Turkey

The Turkish military said on Saturday that criticism by an Israeli general of Turkey's occupation of Cyprus and its conflict with the Kurds threatened to harm relations between the two countries.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also summoned Israeli Ambassador Gabby Levy to protest the comments in Haaretz by Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi, commander of Israel's land forces.

Mizrahi was quoted by Haaretz as saying Turkey was not in a position to criticize Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories when it stations troops in northern Cyprus.
He also accused Turkey of repressing its Kurdish minority and massacring Armenians during World War I.

It was the latest sign of tension between Turkey and Israel, who maintain close military ties but whose alliance has been strained by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused President Shimon Peres of "knowing very well how to kill" in a public debate last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1064016.html">Full article here