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January 29, 2009
So, is Turkey pro-Hamas now?
[Originally published in Hurriyet Daily News]
Israel's brutal attack on Gaza has not just left 1,330 dead bodies, including those of 437 children, but also a Turkey that is very bitter against the Jewish state. Turkish society deeply felt and shared the suffering of the Palestinians in the Strip and rallied against the bombs that hit them.
The last time I saw such a tense public sentiment was the early 1990s, when Bosnians were subjected to "ethnic cleansing" by Serbian nationalists. The situation in Gaza was more complex, to be sure, but it was perceived in Turkey as something similar to the slaughter of Muslims in the Balkans.
Therefore, it wasn't a surprise to see the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan say harsh words against Israel. He was just mirroring the public sentiment. And this was more than populism, as some could ascribe to a politician who is on the eve of local elections. Mr. Erdoğan was sincere in his feelings. When he visited a group of wounded Palestinians that were brought to an Ankara hospital, people noticed tears in his eyes.
Anger versus balance
But while strong emotions are worthy of respect, diplomacy more so needs nuance and deliberation. And those are not the highest qualities of Mr. Erdoğan. He is rather known to be a man who minces no words and, as he put himself, who thinks "anger is a rhetorical art." So, as he has done many times before on many other issues, including domestic ones, he sounded unbalanced -- and even pro-Hamas. As Sedat Ergin, the editor-in-chief of daily Milliyet, put it in these pages yesterday, his whole Gaza rhetoric was "problematic."
By looking at that, some commentators are arguing these days that Turkey has become close to the pro-Hamas and anti-Israeli axis, which is represented by Iran and Syria. Consequently, some experts doubtfully ask whether Turkey is still a Western ally at all.
Just like Mr. Erdoğan's rhetoric, these are inflated comments. No, there is no doubt that Turkey is a Western ally. And, no, Turkey is not pro-Hamas. But Turkey is a Western ally who has gained the confidence of Hamas, "the Arab street," Syria, and even Iran. And this is not a bad news at all, if it can be utilized for building peace in the region.
One needs to see this: Turkey has been talking to Hamas, but unlike Iran, it has been telling the radical Islamic group to calm down and integrate into the peace process with Israel. Turkey indeed has become very popular among the Arab masses, but it has gained this by calling for not a "world without Zionism," but a world of peace and justice. Turkey's reaction was not against Israel itself, but what she had done in Gaza.
No wonder Turkey's foreign policy establishment has recently taken steps to correct the misunderstanding that Mr. Erdoğan's harsh words have provoked. First, President Abdullah Gül, whose experience and role in foreign policy is unmistakable, called his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, and then declared "the importance Turkey attributes to the solidarity, unity and integrity of Palestinians under the leadership of Abbas." You can read this as a confirmation of the fact that Turkey is in line on this matter with the international community. Then foreign minister Ali Babacan spoke to journalists and said, "We can't approve what Hamas does; however, it is not possible to maintain peace by ignoring Hamas." He also warned the group had to decide whether it would remain as an armed organization or a political party.
What this means is that Turkey disapproves the terrorist tactics of Hamas and its insistence on not recognizing Israel's right to exist. But it also sees that peace is impossible without Hamas being a part of it and hopes to persuade the group to open the way for, at the very least, a "hudna," a long term truce with Israel.
A note to Senator Mitchell
That's why the new U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, former Senator George J. Mitchell, whose appointment was a very wise decision by President Obama, should also put Turkey on his countries-to-go list. I am sure he will benefit from a meeting with Ahmet Davutoğlu, the top foreign policy adviser to Mr. Erdoğan, and who recently helped persuading Hamas to declare ceasefire when Israel announced its own.
Meanwhile, there is something else that Mr. Mitchell, and the Obama administration, urgently needs to consider: Israel continues to steal Palestinian lands by building or allowing Jewish Settlements in West Bank. This illegal usurpation makes the Palestinians, and others in the region, to think that a two-state solution is impossible because Israel's expansionist ambitions will never end. It should be not just stopped, but also pushed back.
In other words, let the countries of the region, including Turkey, persuade Hamas that a world with Zionism is acceptable. But, on the other hand, America should persuade the Israelis that their Zionism needs to be much less paranoid, aggressive and expansionist. If we don't want this zero-sum game to continue for decades, creating endless bloodshed, we have to force both sides to compromise.
Posted by Mustafa Akyol at January 29, 2009 5:03 AM
I watched the debate of PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Davos. Only stupid can disagree that the moderation was unfair.
"I am not a chief of a tribe. I am the prime minister of Turkey. I have to do what I have to do." said Erdogan later with regards to Peres' high-tone speech.
Anyone would agree that the behavior of israeli president was unacceptable. Once again israel demonstrated the way it reacts to reasonable speeches/dialogues/proposals.
Anticipating absurd claims, I'd like to remind:
1. AK Party and Erdogan were the first to recognize the rights of Turkiye's Kurds. AKP tried to resolve the issues in Turkiye's South-East. Kurds widely support AKP.
2. AKP was the first Turkish government to attempt improving relations with Armenia and to start public discussions about the tragedy of Armenians in the early 20 century.
3. Erdogan met Omar Al-Bashir, President of Sudan, whom some may accuse of crimes against humanity. However it should be remembered that nobody accuses Sudan's government of direct involvement in the civil war, rather via "friendly Janjaveed millitias". While israeli army was directly involved in murdering small children in hundreds; using of white phosphorus; bombing UN compund and schools...
4. If blaming Jews for all problems would help Erdogan to win coming elections, why then CHP was unsuccessful although they blamed Erdogan and Gul of being crypto-Jews :)
Praises be to Allah that Turkiye has such a Leader! May Allah return the glory of the Ottomans to Turkiye!
With prayers for Erdogan and Turkiye,
Behruz.
Posted by: Behruz at January 30, 2009 3:05 PM
I am speechless in response to Erdogan's emotional breakout, which significantly jeopardized the very role Turkey had been trying to play in the Middle East. He literally ruined Turkey's credibility in mediating any conflict in the Middle East by his unwarranted, populist, brash and callow emotional outbreak, which I think was driven by his lack of knowledge in the region - not to mention his "Kasimpasa" bully style he is childishly proud of. He demonstrated that he lacks the very skills for an artful execution of foreign policy. Although this kind of behavior resonates well with the Turkish population at large, it does not intimidate any other country, definitely not Israel who had been fighting a war against four Arab nations for decades.
As a citizen of Turkey, I am angry at him for his irresponsibility towards his citizens. He jeopardized Turkey's struggle against the PKK, the Cyprus issue, Aegean islands, Mosul, Kirkuk, and etc. He appeared as one unstable emotional, populist leader (did I mention ignorant for not speaking any foreign language) comparable to Ahmedinejad of Iran). He made Turkey appear pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic if not Anti-Western, and this will be used against Turkey behind closed doors.
Does he think he can solve this conflict with his "Kasimpasa" style? Does he know how many bullies this region experienced? Does he know that someone else can easily pick up the peace process where Erdogan left off while Erdogan continues to watch with his watery eyes this time on TV?
Worst of all, does he think that he did a favor to the Palestinian people? Lets assume for a moment that his childish bullying worked, and Israel pulled out from Gaza with a new treaty. How can we expect Israel, who now thinks made a new enemy in the North will not further contain Palestine in different ways, this time factoring the Turkish stance in? He did more harm to the Palestinians then good, and I am embarrassed to witness that the Turkish population is applauding him for what he has done.
I am fearful that he would do the same when direct Turkish interests are at stake. He must have been a lot more careful as the Prime Minister of a country that has been fighting against terrorism and one that definitely does not follow every UN resolution particularly on the issue of Cyprus. Does Erdogan think he can win the war against PKK without any international support? how will he respond to the allegations that Turkish government is targeting innocent Kurdish population in its fight against the PKK through martial law, continuous military operations with sophisticated military arsenal, and employing unnecessary use of force in the region? What if the PKK is excluded from the list of terrorist organizations? Even the threat of it has significant ramifications in Turkey. I do not think this incident would lead to such outcomes but Erdogan's emotional outbreaks must be controlled at any cost for international community does not like policies conducted by emotional people. It makes International relations unpredictable, and opens Pandora's box for all nations. International relations is not all about coercion; one needs the diplomatic skills to know when and where to apply them. Crying at Davos will simply not do.
Posted by: cingoz at January 30, 2009 8:39 PM
if you watched the forum carefully you would see that his insisting on israel's killing innocent childs,not killing Hamas militans!
that means that Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan understand Hamas militans' death since they are not civilians at some point.
One cant compare neither Hamas and PKK nor the position of Turkey with PKK and position of Israel with Hamas.
I am Kurd,my grandmother feeded terrorists sometimes,not because she supports PKK but because they threatened her by pointing a gun.Now,if Turkish law know that,would they kill my grandmother without any judge??
did you read any news similar to that example??
But Israel killed 1317 Palestinians in 25 days including 417 children&108 women, 5320 injured.!!
and we read all news about that for 25 days(just for that one last slaughter! without mentioning the others before).
The reason for killing those civilians was that :
"Hamas is taking advantage of civilians and we will show them that does not work with us!"
yes that was their starting point,and they continued from that point killing those civilians!
now,are you gonna compare them still??
Posted by: i support my Prime Minister on that issue at January 31, 2009 1:17 AM
How fortunate are turks to have leaders like Erdogan and Gul.If leaders could be swapped i Would gladly give the entire current Pakistani leadership 4 the 2 gr8 turks. Walk with pride turks, your PM has made u proud once more. May his seed prosper.
Posted by: Dr shams at January 31, 2009 1:30 PM
Saying that ''he made turkey look prohamas and anti semetic'' is silly,to say the least.He was only asking 4 a fair play.He never advocated hamas or said a word against jews.Were those children and women from Hamas?Is speaking 4 them a crime?
Posted by: Dr shams at January 31, 2009 1:59 PM
"Fair play" is sought at sports games. International arenas are not places to cry for "justice". Countries send their skilled diplomats for fierce negotiation and bargaining. One will not achieve anything by getting emotional, crying for "justice" and leaving forums, negotiations and treaties. This kind of behavior serves to the hands of others in the game.
That is the problem with Erdogan. He does not know what to say where and when. He thinks his "Kasimpasa" style can outperform everyone. He thinks his understanding of "justice" is universal, and thus he does not need to negotiate with anyone.
Please have a look at Turkish newspapers. A member of the DTP party (a Kurdish party) already made a statement that "Erdogan also knows how to kill children," and she highlighted quite some similarities between the Kurdish population and the Palestinians (the way they are isolated and exposed to excessive use of force by the police and etc.) In politics, it does not matter whether there is a relationship between Kurdish population and Palestinians or PKK and Hamas. These connections are arbitrary, and defined through fierce negotiations at the international level. They can be easily established and abolished by skilled leaders. Do you think the PKK issue had been handled at the domestic level so far? Imagine this issue is brought at the international level even if we all think there are no similarities. What would Erdogan's response be? Cry and leave? He simply is an emotional leader with populist ambitions similar to Chavez and Ahmedijenad. The whole world applauds these leaders for the things they say. However, one of them is a despot of the dark ages, and the other one is an entertainer whose country is in the brink of economic collapse. I do not want such a leader in Turkey. If Pakistan wants Erdogan they should feel free to take him. May be his prays, cries and Kasimpasa style would work on Kashmir.
We all support Palestinians on this cause but I think Erdogan lost all his credibility and chance to make a difference in the peace process by unnecessarily getting emotional. One, especially Israel, cannot expect Turkey to be impartial in this peace process anymore. Turkey will be considered as one of "them" by Israel simply as a result of Erdogan's unnecessary comments. He ruined all what had been established behind the doors with his populist comments. How can one expect the Israeli population to support their government in peace negotiations arbitrated by Turkey, whose prime minister yelled at their president as a killer?
World may applaud Erdogan for what he said but I think what he said ruined what he could have done for Palestinians, and I apologize from the Palestinians on behalf of my Prime Minister who lacks diplomatic skills. God knows what he would do if he watched the Schindler's List, the Midnight Express and worst of all perhaps Superman.
Posted by: cingoz at January 31, 2009 11:32 PM
cingoz, are you israilian?
why are you so afraid of being ignored by israeli population??
God,Palesstinians,"israel population",world know that Erdogan has been trying to do his best for peace process and just because of that he was about being isolated by his own supporters(for example;me!)..Israel is just too much that time,and one had to show that to them.
By the way,peres had tried to convince anyone at that forum "crying" to prove their savagerys legitimacy(!)
...DTP is trying to provoke as always.
as a Kurd,i dont support DTPs ideas,i lived my all life in Diyarbakır(26 years old),there is no such a thing,just some individual cases during protests by some sided,inflated police officers to the childrens,and those officers get punished for that.
Any right minded people would agree on that Erdogan was trying to make changes about policy against Israel,and PKK issue. and he did. Of course there are too much to do yet,but after that behaviour of Erdogan i believe some things are gonna change.
Posted by: i support my Prime Minister on that issue at February 1, 2009 1:51 PM
cingoz,
is your name Tuncay Guney?
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=77062§ionid=351020204
Posted by: Behruz at February 1, 2009 11:36 PM
It is flabbergasting that some turks are acting like the moderator at Davos.The only other people criticizing Erdogan are the Zionists though even Peres apologised for acting like hotheaded juvenile delinquent impervious to any correction.
Posted by: Dr shams at February 2, 2009 5:13 AM
Erdogan's walkout not only brought israeli savagery and palestinian sufferings 2 limelight bt would also help in delaying another inevitable round of barbarity which they have already planned 4 gaza as they refer 2 Gaza as Me'arat Nachashim, a snake pit.
Posted by: Dr shams at February 2, 2009 5:44 AM
Erdogan might have run a risk of losing impartiality by not agreeing to the idea of "just war".The fences can b mended Bt in this little moment,by not acting like a dead wood,Erdogan attained immortality.He became Persona grata in millions of
Hearts.
Posted by: Dr shams at February 2, 2009 5:59 AM
You forget that Turkey feels betrayed by Israel. Israel abused Turkey for a 'peace dialogue' with Syria. They never had any intentions to solve their issues with Syria, but just abused it for their planned attack against Hamas.
Posted by: Wladimir at February 2, 2009 12:42 PM
It is sad to witness how blind and desperate people have become. It is the activists, academicians and volunteers who are trying to make a difference for the Palestinians by lobbying diligently in developed countries, not the politicians. Let me tell you what Erdogan has been doing since his emotional outbreak in Davos that surpassed the performance of Brazilian soap opera actors with his shameful level of English. He has been making a fool out of himself by distributing washing machines and dishwashers to the poorest segments of the Turkish population who do not even have running water at their homes - not to mention the fact that these people most likely would not be able to afford detergent. But of course, there will be those who will think this type of behavior is "just" - or Erdogan is not acting like a "dead wood" in the face of poverty.
Posted by: cingoz at March 17, 2009 6:11 PM
Behruz,
Thank you for the link you provided. My favorite link was the one to the Iranian elections. Phew, what a race. Well, at least they seem to have solved the issue of populism by by-passing the population entirely. It indeed is the most effective way of dealing with that problem.
Posted by: cingoz at March 18, 2009 6:25 PM