Monday
Nov232009
Middle East Inside Line: Israel's Government Splits over Relations with Turkey?
Monday, November 23, 2009 at 6:11
Middle East Analysis: A Restoration of Relations between Turkey and Israel?
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It appears that a significant split is opening within the Israeli Government.
On Sunday, Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer departed with 20 businesspeople for a three-day visit to Turkey. Before his departure, he signalled that Ankara could return to a position as mediator of Israel's conflict: "As a regional power and Muslim democracy, Turkey has the ability to bridge the gaps between us and our neighbors and bring about normalization and co-existence in the region."
However, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman harshly opposed any plan bringing Ankara back to the table. Lieberman said, "I don't think that Turkey's position as a mediator between Israel and Syria can be restored in light of [the Turkish leadership's] slurs against Israel and its statements about preferring a Sudanese murderer to Israel's prime minister."
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
It appears that a significant split is opening within the Israeli Government.On Sunday, Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer departed with 20 businesspeople for a three-day visit to Turkey. Before his departure, he signalled that Ankara could return to a position as mediator of Israel's conflict: "As a regional power and Muslim democracy, Turkey has the ability to bridge the gaps between us and our neighbors and bring about normalization and co-existence in the region."
However, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman harshly opposed any plan bringing Ankara back to the table. Lieberman said, "I don't think that Turkey's position as a mediator between Israel and Syria can be restored in light of [the Turkish leadership's] slurs against Israel and its statements about preferring a Sudanese murderer to Israel's prime minister."
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