Erdogan firm on Israel

Turk PM denies anti-Semitism, slams media’s ‘excuses’ about Gaza offensive

Pupils at a Turkish primary school observe a minute’s silence in their classroom in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday, for the Palestinian children killed in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Turkey’s Education Ministry has ordered all schools to commemorate the victims of the attacks.

ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s prime minister said yesterday his tough criticism of Israel’s Gaza offensive did not mean he was anti-Semitic, but he accused “Jewish-backed media” of publishing biased stories on the 18-day conflict.

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim but secular country with good ties with Israel and Arab countries, has been trying to help broker a ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has shocked Israel by describing its military offensive as “a crime against humanity.”

“There are people who are disturbed by me speaking of my discomfort over the killing of civilians, (including) children... If we do not state what is just and lawful, then we will lose our self-respect,” he said.

“I am (also) a leader who has said that anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity,” he said in a speech to his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in parliament broadcast live on television.

Erdogan’s criticism, coming as his government seeks to help negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, is sure to anger Israel but unlikely to hurt strategic ties between the two countries.

Erdogan faces a public in Turkey that is increasingly vocal against the Gaza offensive. Hundreds of thousands have protested in Turkey against the 18-day offensive that has killed more than 900 Palestinians.

Thirteen Israelis – 10 soldiers and three civilians hit by mortar bombs and rockets from the Gaza Strip – have been killed since Israel launched the offensive with the declared aim of ending Hamas’s cross-border strikes.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions during its offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has said it will not provide details about the munitions it is using there.

“There are people who say that the prime minister’s statements are too tough (on Israel), but my words are not tougher than phosphorus bombs,” Erdogan said.

Sales of Israeli military equipment to Turkey are estimated at $100 million annually and the states share security intelligence.

Erdogan said some media, which he did not name, were spreading false information about the Gaza offensive.

“Excuses are found for mass killings of children at schools, hospitals and mosques, especially by Jewish-backed media,” Erdogan said. “News stories saying that terrorists hide among children or (describing bombings) as technical errors or accidents are aimed at making fun of the world (public opinion),” he said.