Tuesday
Jul062010
Israel-Turkey: The Latest on the Threat to Cut Military Ties
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 15:40
Responding to his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu's threat to cut ties with Israel, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated that Israel would not be apologising to Ankara over the flotilla events. He said, "Every nation chooses its own diplomacy and to my sorrow Turkey has chosen the wrong direction."
However, speaking to the Knesset, Israel's army chief Gabi Ashkenazi said that military ties between Israel and Turkey remained strong despite political tension. Although Turkish airspace is now closed to the Israeli military (except for deliveries to Ankara) and joint operations have been suspended, Ashkenazi noted that the Turkish military had contributed the lead article to the June issue of the Israel Defense Forces' magazine.
What was Ashkenazi's message to his government? Is he indicating that the army is not happy with the political friction or is he accepting the dispute, while indicating there should be no further damage to relations?
However, speaking to the Knesset, Israel's army chief Gabi Ashkenazi said that military ties between Israel and Turkey remained strong despite political tension. Although Turkish airspace is now closed to the Israeli military (except for deliveries to Ankara) and joint operations have been suspended, Ashkenazi noted that the Turkish military had contributed the lead article to the June issue of the Israel Defense Forces' magazine.
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What was Ashkenazi's message to his government? Is he indicating that the army is not happy with the political friction or is he accepting the dispute, while indicating there should be no further damage to relations?