Posted on 06/01/2010 1:41:06 PM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
A statement from the Turkish government promises “unprecedented and incalculable reprisals” against Israel for the Israeli Navy’s seizure of the Marmora, a Turkish vessel, which was leading a fleet of ships through the Gaza blockade over the weekend. The statement has received the support of Hezbollah, an arm of the Iranian government, and Hamas, the Palestinian network.
Such measures will not be confined to diplomatic censure.
Reports from Ankara, the capital of Turkey, state that the government, which remains under the control of the Justice and Democratic Party (Adalet ve Kalkinma, AKP), is planning to continue pounding the Israeli blockade with more flotillas that will be escorted by Turkish warships and fighter jets.
Israel merchant vessels moored outside Ashdodport have been instructed to sail into port and take shelter in case of missile attacks from the Gaza Strip against Ashdod and Ashkelon.
In expectation of an outbreak of war, the Turkish chief of staff Gen. Ilker Basbug has been recalled to Ankara from a visit to Egypt. Greece has since halted its joint exercise with Israel in protest against the naval action.
Israeli warplanes have headed west over the Mediterranean on Monday morning in support of the still ongoing Israeli commando operation aboard the Turkish Marmora, the scene of violent clashes between Israeli troops and the 600 “peace activists,” some of them armed.
The Turkish government, under Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, reported 15 dead aboard the vessel. Israeli army spokesman, Col. Avi Beneyahu, called the incident “an act of terror on the high seas.”
Far from being a humanitarian mission, according to Col. Beneyahu, the flotilla was sponsored personally by the Turkish government to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza and permit arms supplies and terrorist to reach the Gaza Strip in an unrestricted manner.
The Israeli army spokesman said that the Turks aimed at provoking a widely publicized international incident with fatalities in order to show Israel using strong-arm tactics against unarmed peaceniks.
He further maintained that the Turkish government refused to heed warnings that the vessels would be prevented from entering Gaza Port and rejected Israeli offers to ferry their aid cargo overland to the Gaza Strip.
An estimated 19 activists were killed battling with Israeli troops, and dozens more were injured. Ten Israeli soldiers were wounded, two critically.
According to the Israelis, passengers, armed with knives and iron bars, mobbed the Israeli commandos as soon as they landed on the deck of the Marmara. One passenger allegedly snatched from a sidearm from an Israeli soldier and proceeded to fire at the commandos.
In the midst of mounting tensions, the Arab League Council has called for an emergency meeting today to demand Egypt to end its joint embargo with Israel on Gaza.
Egypt will face pressure to end its joint embargo on Gaza with Israel at the Arab League Council meeting urgently Tuesday, June 1st. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas demanded the session.
Demonstrations against Israel continue to rage in Syria, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, and Greece.
The Gaza situation as well as the stall peace talks will get much worse. Tensions are going to mount up until the Arabs make their attempt in taking back Jerusalem. The attack by the Arabs will fulfill the Psalm 83 war. When Turkey sees Israel has wiped out the Arabs in much the same way they did in the previous wars, Turkey will rush in with Russia and the rest of Russia’s allies in another attempt to wipe Israel off the map. The nations who attack Israel in both the Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 wars will at this time see what the following warning by God meant. “There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel”
The Middle East is a time bomb ready to explode and the issue of peace and safety along with the Gaza problem will no doubt start the fuse.
I don’t think they will attack. I think this is chest pounding for the benefit of the Iranians.
The Turks are NATO. If Israel counterattacks what obligation do we have to get involved?
Meanwhile the media ignores the fact that Egypt also enforces the blockade of Gaza and they aren’t as gentle about it as Israel.
If so, then real soon the phrase “Damascus Glass” will take on a whole new meaning.
Indeed, provoke Israel to invoke NATO ??
“Demonstrations against Israel continue to rage in Syria, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, and Greece.”
Doesnt Greece have bigger fish to fry?
NATO countries would be required to intervene on Turkey's behalf if Turkey were to invoke Article 5 of the NATO Charter.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_17120.htm
"The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area."
This crap is dangerous as hell.
The Turks are also bombing the kurds in Iraq.
TEAM ISRAEL!
Turkey has been becoming less secular and more Koran-observant for a good decade or so. To see the Turks becoming more hostile toward Israel does not surprise me one bit. It almost looks like the governments of the world are turning against Israel at an ever-increasing rate - even America. But then again, once a nation has become Socialized what else could it do?
If Eqypt caves to pressure, invest in shovels and earth moving equipment.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=128532§ionid=351020202
The Turks aren’t acting as a NATO rep., they’re doing this on their on.
Is there a score card of which nations support Israel and those that are against?
Istanbul lshit.
NATO countries are not required to respond (see Kosovo or Iraq war).
Turkey would not be attached (if Turkey forces enter/approach Israel and Israel destroyes them, it is the fault to Turkey. Though, Omaba may take the opportunity and finish Israel once and for all.
Just being hysterical. This too may pass.
Has anyone heard that Ayres & Dorhn were involved with the floatilla instigation? I thought I heard this about an hour ago on Steve Marlzberg’s radio show. He was interviewing Ms. Glick, Bebe’s former policy adviser.
“Reports from Ankara, the capital of Turkey, state that the government, which remains under the control of the Justice and Democratic Party (Adalet ve Kalkinma, AKP), is planning to continue pounding the Israeli blockade with more flotillas that will be escorted by Turkish warships and fighter jets.”
Fine.
Now, to Hell with Turkey.
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