Israel report targets Turkey's Erdogan often critical of Gaza war

An Israeli report targets Turkey's PM known for backing efforts to end Gaza sufferings and his criticism of Israel's deadly attacks on Palestinians.

Israeli media said its foreign ministry has prepared a report that accuses PM Erdogan of fueling "anti-Semitism" while admitting him often condemns it a crime against humanity.

Though the report accepted, "Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan always stresses that anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity in international forums", yet it accuses Turkish PM of "indirectly inciting and encouraging" anti-Semitism in Turkey.

According to the report on Israel-Turkey relations, it is clear to Ankara that it had "crossed red lines in its relationship with Israel."

Israeli daily Haaretz said, "the seven-page report was submitted to key cabinet ministers a few days ago." The report also was already distributed to Israeli embassies and consulates abroad. Most of the report focuses on Erdogan.

The report also acknowledges Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon seriously offended Turkey's ambassador when he summoned the diplomat to protest the Turkish TV show."

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon who summoned Turkish envoy Oğuz Celikkol to express Israel's uneasiness over a Turkish TV-series showing Israeli agents kidnapping a child, had Celikkol sit at a lower armchair in front of a table with only the Israeli flag on it, denying him an handshake in front of the press.

Ayalon's snub violating all diplomatic manners drew strong reaction from Turkish officials, and strained relations to the point of breaking.

However, over Ayalon's humiliation of the ambassador, the report said, "the crisis may indicate that Turkey recognizes that it entered the red-line zone and [reached] the outer limits of the Israeli government's patience."

The diplomatic crisis ended when Israel apologised with a letter after repeated calls from Turkey which warned otherwise that it would withdraw its ambassador.

Once-flourishing bilateral ties took a sharp downturn last year amid Israel's war on Gaza and its persisting blockade of the impoverished Palestinian enclave.

In a memorable protest, Erdogan stormed out of a debate at the World Economic Forum.

Angered at Peres's tone and rising voice, in defense of Israel's military attack in Gaza, Erdogan told Israeli president, "When it comes to killing,
you know well how to kill children".

Israel killed nearly 1500 Palestinian in the 22-day Gaza offensive, wtih a third of them kids. Israel now faces a UN report that accuses it war crimes in the attack.

Ankara has said relations will continue to suffer unless Israel ends "the humanitarian tragedy" in Gaza and revives peace talks with the Palestinians.

Turkey demands Gaza borders be opened while Israel imposes siege into the occupied land home to 1.5 million people since June 2007.

/World Bulletin/