Turkish President Recep Erdogan A Real Jerk In Interview With Israeli TV
David Lange
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You’d think with Turkey’s reconciliation deal with Israel, Turkish President Recep Erdogan might go on a bit of a charm offensive with us.
Naaa, he’s just offensive, and there’s nothing charming about it.
In an interview with Israeli Channel 2’s Ilana Dayan, he basically lied and insulted Israel and our intelligence.
Let’s see. There was a Hitler comparison
“I don’t agree with what Hitler did and I also don’t agree with what Israel did in Gaza. Therefore there’s no place for comparison in order to say what’s more barbaric,” Erdogan said when reminded of his 2014 comments.
Asked if he was conscious of the shock his reference to Hitler caused among Jews, Erdogan said “I’m very well aware… But is the Jewish community aware of what is done (in Gaza)? Thousands of people bombed in Gaza and Palestine” in the 2014 war with Hamas.
Two can play that game, you know, Recep.
Support for Hamas while minimizing their crimes
The Turkish president dismissed categorizing Hamas as a terrorist organization, calling it a legitimate political party, and a “refugee movement born out nationalism” that must be part of any future peace deal. ..He also said he was in “constant contact” with Hamas.
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Asked whether he was confident Hamas would not abuse the lifting of the blockade in order to import weaponry, Erdogan switched the focus to Israel, and castigated “your use of weapons against Gaza.”
He noted that Hamas did not have the “nuclear and conventional weapons that Israel has.” The deaths caused in Israel by Hamas rockets, he indicated, paled by comparison to the “thousands” killed by Israel in Gaza.
When it was put to him that Hamas indiscriminately targets Israeli civilians, Erdogan did not directly address the question. He called for a negotiated solution to bring tranquility to the area.
Asked about the remains of two Israeli soldiers from the 2014 war held by Hamas, he noted that Israel holds “thousands” of Hamas and other Palestinian prisoners in its jails, and suggested an exchange.
Blaming us for the impasse in peace talks
He placed the onus for the failure of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks squarely on Israel, saying he would be willing to broker talks, but that Israel has refused such overtures.
Accusing us of not respecting the holiness of Jerusalem
He accused Israel of failing to respect the holiness of Jerusalem, accusing it of trying to change the status quo at the Al-Aksa compound (the Temple Mount). “Jerusalem is holy to three religions. You have to respect that,” he said.
Dismissed evidence showing Israeli commandos were attacked on the Mavi Marmara
Erdogan said “it is impossible to believe” that the Israeli soldiers who boarded the Mavi Marmara tried to avert bloodshed.
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“We have all of the documents and evidence,” Erdogan said, and “it’s impossible” that the soldiers were acting in self-defense. “Regrettably, 10 of our brothers were martyred there,” he added.
Erdogan dismissed footage of the incident that showed the Turkish activists assaulting the soldiers with metal rods and clubs. “We have all (of the evidence),” he told Dayan. “Speak correctly. The fact that you’re a journalist shouldn’t prevent you from speaking correctly.”
He even impersonated Patrick Swayze.
Erdoğan added that “I have seen everything,” attacking Dayan “you cannot speak the truth, the fact that you are a journalist does not mean you have to lie, if you think you can pressure Recep Tayyip Erdoğan into a corner you are mistaken.”
Clearly, there must be some real strategic interest in reconciling with Turkey (I am thinking Iran), because this guy is insufferable.
Which is why I will never get tired of this.
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David Lange
