Turkey feels Palestine's pain

[FarCenter]

By Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor - Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Few heroes have emerged on the diplomatic level during the Gaza conflict and, sadly, the Arab world hasn't managed to produce even one. An Arab League emergency summit of foreign ministers predictably came up with nothing. Displays of genuine emotion by representatives of Arab governments have been rarities.

Turkey's position on Gaza has been clear and crisp, in sharp contrast to our own regretful diplomatic paralysis. Since the start of Israel's aggression, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has shuttled between Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Syria in a proactive attempt to achieve a ceasefire. He has also ended Turkey's mediation in Israel-Syrian peace talks.

Most of all, I salute Mr. Erdogan for his unequivocal message to Israel, his country's long-time ally. Speaking on January 4, he said, "God will sooner or later punish those who transgress the rights of innocents." Accusing Israel of creating a humanitarian tragedy by the use of excessive force, he said, "Israel will be cursed for the children and the defenseless women who died under bombs. Israel will be cursed for tears shed by mothers."

When Israel characterized his verbal attack as overly emotional, Erdogan responded with "No, I am not emotional. I am acting on the basis of knowledge and experience. I advise Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to leave aside upcoming elections in February. History will accuse them of putting a stain on humanity. What reason can justify such savagery?"

"It is unforgivable that people who suffered profound pains in their history could do such a thing," he railed. "In fact, they should have displayed more respect for human life than anyone else in the world."

<SNIP> http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=5&article_id=98957

[bunnies]

1. knr.

[Grey]

2. true....