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War Within: Turkey Accuses Israel of ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ In Gaza
ANKARA: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday accused Israel of “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza, saying the Jewish state’s air raids could not be considered self-defence.
“Israel is committing ethnic cleansing by ignoring peace in this region and violating international law,” Erdogan said. “It is occupying the Palestinian territory step by step.”
The premier said Israeli air raids against Gaza could not be deemed self-defence, accusing Western countries of aiding what he called a “terrorist state” by condoning its violence in the Middle East.
“Sooner or later, Israel will answer for the innocent blood it has shed so far,” he said.
Erdogan’s words came after Israel halted a threatened Gaza ground operation to give Egyptian-led truce talks a chance to end nearly a week of cross-border violence that has killed more than 100 Palestinians and three Israelis.
He said Turkey, Egypt and the Gulf countries, particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia, had to take their own initiative, accusing the United Nations Security Council of doing nothing to save Gazans.
“It is against them today, tomorrow it will be us, keep that in mind,” he said. “If we are going to die, let’s go down with decency. Keep that in mind too.”
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Erdogan emerged as a staunch advocate of the Palestinian cause in January 2009, when he stormed out of a panel discussion on Israel’s blockade of the impoverished Gaza Strip at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Ties between Turkey and Israel were further strained after Israeli commandos raided a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla in the Mediterranean in May 2010, killing nine Turks on board.
AFP
Posted by
mosquito
November 21, 2012 at 7:45 am
Too bad for palestine,israel please its enough dialogue is the solution we know you are sorrounded by people who you differ in religion and many other factors but please talk and stop fighting or now we shall conclude that the end is very near in reference to the bible,yes very near indeed.
juice manure
November 21, 2012 at 8:08 am
Israel has the right to defend itself. Hamas must stop its foolish act of firing rockets into Israel. Israel must teach hamas a lesson…
Makango
November 21, 2012 at 8:18 am
being chosen by God is not a lie way to kill people but bring them closer to jesus.isreal you shall pay one becoz god has not permited you to kil
Mwana Mfumu
November 21, 2012 at 8:22 am
Israel was provoked. The Hamas have been armed by Iran. Israel MUST deal with Iran and deal with Hamas decisively. Israel has suffered with these Hamas
bsaint
November 21, 2012 at 8:38 am
Israel has a right to defend it’s self.And you know the best diffence is to attack. No weapon formed against the Holy land shall prosper.Viva Israel
bsaint
November 21, 2012 at 8:49 am
Mwana Mfumu you are 100% right.Iran has to be delt with with an iron fist.How dare they vow to wipe israel from the clobe. Will see who will be wiped out…
chilufya
November 21, 2012 at 9:55 am
Israel has the right to defend itself. There is no country on earth which can sit with folded arms when rockets from an enemy are raining on its territory. As if that is not enough, Hamas wants Israel to be eliminated. Hamas shares the same hatred for Israel with Iran. Many times Israel has not responded to those rockets fired by Hamas almost on a daily basis. Israel has decided to respond now because Hamas has taken things for granted. It is sad that innocent people have been killed in this war on both sides. However, we must bear in mind that Israel is not fighting a war of prestige, but a war of existence. My prayer for Israel is that they should strike a deadly blow on those Hamas militants. Israel has a biblical right to that land. We have had enough with Islamic fanatics. May the the sovereign Lord arise over the nation of Israel and let every enemy scatter.
chilufya
November 21, 2012 at 10:21 am
Makango, I am disappointed that you have decided to ignore the evil acts committed by Hamas. Are you aware that hundreds of rockets have been fired by Hamas on Israeli territory? Are you aware that Hamas has publicly declared that their aim is to completely destroy Israel and take over the land? Who told you that when one is chosen by God then he cannot defend himself when his life is in danger? You wanted Israel to pretend that everything was okey when hundreds of rockets are being fired on its territory. To me that is foolishness. I fully support Netanyau for being firm. He must teach this terrorist group a lesson they will never forget.
Lawson
November 21, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Lets hammer them!Its too much that the sons of Ismael are doing.Sniff the rat out kill the so called prime minister without a state.Shame on hamas and what a name!Harm us.Ke keke ke ke ke ke