Israel to punish Turkey.
Jerusalem fights back: Foreign Minister Lieberman formulates series of tough moves in response to Turkish steps; Israel to cooperate with Armenian lobby in US, may offer military aid to Kurdish rebels
Shimon Shiffer
Published: 09.09.11, 08:54 / Israel News
Jerusalem to punish Erdogan: Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has decided to adopt a series of harsh measures in response to Turkeys latest anti-Israeli moves, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Friday.
Senior Foreign Ministry officials convened Thursday to prepare for a meeting to be held Saturday with Lieberman on the matter. Saturdays session will be dedicated to discussing Israels response to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent threats and his decision to downgrade Ankaras diplomatic ties with Jerusalem.
Following Thursdays meeting, officials assessed that Turkey is not interested in an Israeli apology at this time and prefers to exploit the dispute with Jerusalem in order to promote Ankaras status in the Muslim world. Lieberman therefore decided there was no point in seeking creative formulas for apologizing, instead choosing to focus Israels efforts on punishing Turkey.
The Foreign Ministry has now decided to proceed with the formulation of a diplomatic and security toolbox to be used against the Turks. The first move would be to issue a travel warning urging all Israeli military veterans to refrain from traveling to Turkey. The advisory will be especially harsh as it will also urge Israelis to refrain from boarding connections in Turkey.
Another planned Israeli move is the facilitation of cooperation with Turkeys historic rivals, the Armenians. During Liebermans visit to the United States this month, the foreign minister is expected to meet with leaders of the Armenian lobby and propose anti-Turkish cooperation in Congress.
The implication of this move could be Israeli assistance in promoting international recognition of the Armenian holocaust, a measure that would gravely harm Turkey. Israel may also back Armenia in its dispute vis-à-vis Turkey over control of Mount Ararat.
Turkey better show respect
Lieberman is also planning to set meetings with the heads of Kurdish rebel group PKK in Europe in order to cooperate with them and boost them in every possible area. In these meetings, the Kurds may ask Israel for military aid in the form of training and arms supplies, a move that would constitute a major anti-Turkish position should it materialize.
However, the violent clashes between Turkey and the Kurds only constitute one reason prompting accusations that Ankara is violating human rights. Hence, another means in Liebermans toolbox vis-à-vis Erdogan is a diplomatic campaign where Israeli missions worldwide will be instructed to join the fight and report illegal Turkish moves against minorities.
The tough response formulated by Lieberman stems, among other things, from the foreign ministers desire to make it clear to Erdogan that his anti-Israeli moves are not a one-way street.
Officials in Jerusalem also noted that Turkeys global status at this time is not promising as it is, adding that Ankara is embroiled in tensions vis-à-vis NATO and Greece, while Erdogans relations with Syria and Iran are also not favorable.
Well exact a price from Erdogan that will prove to him that messing with Israel doesnt pay off, Lieberman said. Turkey better treat us with respect and common decency.
Israel to ?punish? Turkey - Israel News, Ynetnews