David Cameron Faces Israeli Storm Over Gaza Comments
THE GUARDIAN: No 10 denies it has raised rhetoric as row heats up over 'prison camp' comparison

David Cameron made the comments during his visit to Ankara, Turkey. Photograph: The Guardian
David Cameron was embroiled in an angry diplomatic row with Israel tonight after describing the Gaza Strip as a prison camp for its 1.5 million Palestinian residents.

The prime minister drew fire at home and in Israel for remarks he made in Turkey about the need to further ease the blockade of the coastal territory, following the lifting of some restrictions last month. But Arabs and many others will agree wholeheartedly with his words.

"The situation in Gaza has to change," he told businessmen in Ankara. "Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp."

Foreign Office sources suggested Downing Street had been remiss in omitting from Cameron's speech the sort of "balancing" comments that are routinely made about Israel's security – especially the fate of a captured soldier being held by Hamas – when its policies on the Palestinians are criticised.

The prime minister condemned Israel's attack on the Gaza aid flotilla, in which nine Turks were killed, as "completely unacceptable", though he ignored demands by Turkey for an international investigation, expecting Israel's inquiry to be "swift, transparent and rigorous". But it was his message on Gaza that drew the strongest reaction.

Ron Prosor, Israel's often combative ambassador to Britain, hit back with a sharp statement: "The people of Gaza are the prisoners of the terrorist organisation Hamas. The situation in Gaza is the direct result of Hamas's rule and priorities." Prosor also took aim at a striking omission by Cameron: his failure to mention the soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured on the Gaza border in 2006 and whose freedom is a cause celebre [sic] in Israel.

"We know that the prime minister would also share our grave concerns about our own prisoner in the Gaza Strip, Gilad Shalit, who has been held hostage there for over four years, without receiving a single Red Cross visit," Prosor said. >>> Ian Black and Nicholas Watt | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

It hasn’t been a good day for Cameron. First, the ridiculous comments about Turkey being admitted into the EU; and then the stupid comments about Gaza and the Israelis. I have got some advice for Cameron; and it’s simple advice: Engage brain before opening mouth! – © Mark

Turkey's Moves towards Iran Concerning United States
THE TELEGRAPH: Turkey's attempts to develop a strategic partnership with Iran are causing concern in America and are likely to dominate talks between its leader and President Barack Obama during a US visit that starts today.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is likely to discuss his country's strategic partnership with Iran during his US visit . Photograph: The Telegraph
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, has introduced a "good neighbours" foreign policy that has tilted the axis of Ankara's diplomacy in the direction of Iran, Russia and bordering states.

Turkish frustration with a series of setbacks for its bid to join the European Union triggered a search for a foreign policy that reflect its historical interests in the Middle East, Caucasus and Islamic world.

Foreign intelligence officials sounded an alarm over Turkish manoeuvring closer to Iran, which has undermined the international campaign to isolate the Islamic regime. In particular it has allowed key members of the Islamic regime to move large sums of money – up to $10 million per day – into the global financial system.

Turkey has become a prized outlet for Iranian transactions since a tight regime of sanctions cut off Iranian banks from international finance.

Turkey was one of a handful of countries that refused to support a reprimand imposed on Iran over its failure to declare secret nuclear facility last month. Iranian activists have complained that the regime's agents can operate with impunity in a country that was once a safe haven for those fleeing persecution. >>> Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Monday, December 07, 2009

Dutch MPs Cancel Turkey Visit Over Wilders Ban
NRC HANDELSBLAD INTERNATIONAL: Dutch members of parliament have cancelled a scheduled visit to Turkey after the Turkish government refused to meet with the delegation if anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders was part of it.

When the matter was put to a vote in Dutch parliament on Wednesday, all parties opted to cancel the visit, which was scheduled for January, even though Turkish members of parliament and local social organisations had said they would meet with the delegation regardless.

"This was a unanimous decision. We deeply regret the fact that this will make an effective dialogue impossible, but if the Turkish government refuses to meet with us, the most essential parts of our schedule will not be able to go ahead," Harm Evert Waalkens, leader of the parliamentary delegation, said on Wednesday. One of the main reasons for the visit was Turkey's accession to the European Union.

A representative of the Turkish ministry of foreign affairs called the Dutch parliament's decision "unilateral."

"We have made our point clear," the spokesperson said. "We have not forbidden Wilders to visit, but we are unwilling to roll out the red carpet for him since the media attention he will garner by coming to Turkey will overshadow all other members of the delegation. But we are not praising God for the fact that he will not be coming. We will evaluate the decision of the Dutch parliament." >>> By Handelsblad’s news staff | Thursday, December 03, 2009

Video Dispatch: In Iran, Nuclear Inspections and an Overture from Turkey

Obama to Visit Turkey on April 6-7: Turkish PM
AFP: ANKARA — US President Barack Obama will visit Turkey on April 6-7, following an invitation from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend a forum aimed at fostering dialogue between the West and the Muslim world.

Erdogan said late Wednesday he had invited Obama to attend a meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative in Istanbul on April 7 and expressed surprise that the US president responded with a proposal also for an official visit to Ankara the day before.

"I didn't expect (an official visit) that soon," Erdogan said in an interview with TGRT television, adding that Obama was expected to attend the Istanbul forum as well.

"The official visit will be probably combined with the Alliance of Civilizations meeting... That is very meaningful for us," he said.

Predominantly Muslim, secular Turkey is a NATO member and a close ally of the United States in a troubled region.

The UN-backed Alliance of Civilizations initiative was launched in 2005 in a bid to help overcome prejudices and misunderstandings between different cultures and religions. It is co-chaired by Turkey and Spain. >>> Copyright © 2009 AFP | Thursday, March 19, 2009

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