ISTANBUL/JERUSALEM: Israel said yesterday it was reducing its diplomatic presence in Turkey after protesters angered by its ground offensive into Gaza pelted its consulate in Istanbul with stones and draped Palestinian flags on the ambassador’s residence in Ankara.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry accused Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan of “incitement”, saying it was ordering the return of diplomats’ families and trimming staffing to a minimum.
Erdogan had accused the Jewish state on Wednesday of terrorising the region and likened an Israeli MP and member of the governing coalition to Hitler. Yesterday he said there would be no improvement in relations between the two countries while he or his administration remained in charge.
“Israel has always been oppressive, and continues to oppress. Hence, as Turkey, I cannot think of positive developments with Israel as long as I hold this duty,” Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul.
He also criticised the West and the Muslim world for what he said was their silence in the face of “inhumane attacks”.
“Westerners may say I am stirring up tensions, but I have the mission of winning the consent of people and God.”
Israel stepped up its land offensive in the Gaza Strip with artillery, tanks and gunboats after Hamas rejected a proposed truce and kept firing rockets into Israeli territory.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Istanbul and said that Palestinian authorities were working with the international community and brotherly Muslim countries towards an immediate ceasefire.
Early yesterday, Turkish riot police fired teargas and water cannon to disperse protesters outside the Israeli mission in Istanbul, but did not intervene in Ankara, where windows of the ambassador’s residence were smashed, local media reported.
“Die out murderer Jew” had been scrawled on the wall across from the consulate in Istanbul.
“Israel strongly protests the blatant breach of diplomatic regulations ... which were grossly violated by the Turkish authorities and security services during the demonstrations,” a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
Around 3,000 people poured onto the streets of Istanbul after Friday prayers, chanting anti-Israel slogans and waving Palestinian flags, while passing cars honked in support.
Reuters
