Israel Matzav: Wishful thinking

Wishful thinking?

In Istanbul on Monday, there was a mass protest against Israeli actions on the Temple Mount. The Israeli flag was burned at the protest. Here's the reaction from Israel's foreign ministry (Hat Tip: Memeorandum).
Turkey has two facets – the modern European one, which is rational and tolerant, and the Islamist one, which is sometimes hostile to Israel....

"These complexities dictate much of the complex and delicate relations Israel has with Turkey."

The radical Muslims who incite the riots in Jerusalem want nothing else but to damage Israel relations with the more moderate Muslim forces, added the source.

"(The ministry) was not surprised by the rally… We have every confidence that the rational, leading elements in Turkey will know the difference between outrageous incitement and the facts, which prove that Israel is seeking peace and coexistence."

Those people don't look too friendly or western do they?

I'm afraid that Israel's foreign ministry is doing some wishful thinking on this one. Remember Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan storming out on Israeli President Shimon Peres at Davos? Remember the riot Israel's Bnei HaSharon basketball team encountered in Ankara last January?

Turkey sells arms to the Hezbullah-dominated Lebanese army (with the Obama administration's approval). It consorts with Syria and Iran. And it doesn't view Israel as a peaceful nation.

Turkey has placed itself on the Islamic side of the fence and is rapidly becoming hostile to Israel. Monday's 'protest' is just another step on the way. Israel's foreign ministry is doing some wishful thinking when it claims otherwise.


Israel Matzav: Wishful thinking?