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Haifa Conference; Israel and Turkey
Topic Started: Jun 10 2015, 02:00 AM (204 Views)
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Posted Image ציפי חוטובלי | Tzipi Hotovely
Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

I would like to personally and on behalf to the State of Israel to welcome the Turkish delegation to Haifa and these preliminary discussions aimed at rebuilding and reconciling relations between our nations. Prior to the rise of now-former President Erdôgan, Israel and Turkey enjoyed close relations founded on respect and equality.

My former colleague, Mr. Tzachi Hanegbi tried few years ago to initiate similar talks like these, however we hope that these will be much more fruitful in terms of reaching a bilateral framework for re-establish relations.

Based on former discussions, the State of Israel offered $ 20,000,000 in compensation to Turkish families those whom unfortunately died during the Gaza Flotilla Raid in 2010, but such compensation is of course on the condition that law suits are ended and that Turkey publically makes an official announcement that issues an apology and withdraws remarks made by the former President and Premier in which they compared Adolf Hitler’s despiteful and terrible character to that of Israel’s and gone as far as refereeing to the Jewish people as “colonists”. Especially Mr. Erdogan’s statements last summer 2014 in which he stated “[Israelis] have no conscience, no honor, no pride,”. “Those who condemn Hitler — day and night — have surpassed Hitler in barbarism". The follow-up by foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu was even further deteriorative to relations whereas he stated that “This place includes the cave of Hira [near Mecca where Muslims believe Muhammad received his first revelations from God], which enlightens humanity. We will work night and day to remove the colonialists from this region. We will raise the light of civilizations in the Middle East.”- Of course completely ignoring Turkey's Ottoman heritage.


Turkey must further clarify its position on the defence agreements that was put on-hold and which applied an unnecessary burden on Israeli defence contractors losing the prospect of operational profit above $ 3 billion.

Israel does not oppose returning to a more fruitful economic and diplomatic environment between our countries, we actively aims at restoring relations, but such can only apply when clarification and political reconciliation has been made.
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Jai
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Jai Pharaoh | King of the Nile
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Posted Image Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
Acting Foreign Minister for the Republic of Turkey

I am honored to be here, Madame Deputy Minister, and I thank you for holding this very important summit. As the two regional powers in this region of the world, it is imperative that Turkey and Israel communicate, and cooperate as equal and cordial partners to pursue stability and upon democratic ideals in the face of challenges to those ideals, and to our two nations. The past several years have been.. difficult for the Turkish Republic and because of those challenges at home, the vital balance of mutual respect and open dialogue between Ankara and Tel Aviv suffered. The deterioration of this important relationship have resulted in a region without clear leadership or guidance in the face of unprecedented issues. This is unsustainable - and we should work together, hand in hand, to rebuild the trust that every strong alliance must be based on. Reconciliation is the goal, and Ankara is eager to take this first step with the State of Israel.

The deep wounds left by the 2010 raids on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla still hurt, and the Turkish people still grieve the loss of those nine heroes, even to this very moment. We all want reconciliation, but the fact of the matter is this: nine Turkish families lost loved ones that dark day, and those nine families will never have their loved ones back. Despite what we may agree on here today - that is still the reality. I welcome a future dialogue on this matter, despite how painful a subject it remains to be.

To the people of Israel, I say this: you're race has seen the horrors, by which all other genocidal actions are measured, first hand. The Turkish people recognize your history, and the dog Adolf Hitler will always remain a blemish on the conscious of every nation that did not put him down before he carried out his crimes. To invoke such memories in such a way, was wrong. On behalf of Ankara, and the Turkish people, I apologize for that low moment in the history between our nations and fully withdraw those statements in my capacity as representative of the Republic of Turkey. As for Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people - we can ignore that situation, and steps must be take to improve life for our brothers and sister struggling in the Gaza Stripe, before it becomes a permanent blemish on Israel.

Turkey is in the midst of a transition - A new President still must be elected, and a new government with him. With this in mind, I can assure my Israeli counterpart that all policies that may complicate reconciliation between Turkey and Israel is currently on the table, with no reservation. The Erdoğan Doctrine is finish, and Turkey is eager to begin this new chapter in the relationship between our proud nations. Now, let the healing process begin, in earnest. Thank you, friends.
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Posted Image ציפי חוטובלי | Tzipi Hotovely
Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

I thank you Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu for your opening statement here and I thank you you for participating on behalf of the transitional government of Turkey. While I do not agree with certain choices of reference in your statement, I believe it is important to aim for our common goal through this line of communication, that being reconcillation and re-igniting collaboration.

The prospect of allowing relations to return to normal is very much welcomed. The neo-Ottomanism that was the platform of the former government was counter-productive in many ways and did not allow us to colloborate to counter the situation in Syria and on general matters of the Middle East. It is also evident that that exact platform did not allow Turkey to claim its position in the international society.

Addressing certain items of your statement, I kindly request you to provide more specifics of the issues regarding Judea and Samaria and Gaza. For over the last 5 years peace has returned and Israel as the only nation that has transferred humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza regardless of the fact that their government is founded upon the idea of the destruction of Israel. Kindly take that into mind when addressing the situation here. Take note that ISIS stands in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. al-Qaeda remains to be on the Sinai Peninsula, Hamas remains to be in power in Gaza and no democratic elections has been held within the palestinian authority for over 12 years!

Israel is one of the last peaceful and democratic nations in Middle East and we therefore request and hope that we shall be treated, not only by Turkey, but the world as a whole with respect.

Now certain parts of my opening statement was not addressed; (i) the compensation proposal of $ 20 million and (ii) defence agreements that was put on-hold.

Further I must request a statement of the authority you hold in these talks?



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Jai Pharaoh | King of the Nile
Posted Image Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
Acting Foreign Minister for the Republic of Turkey

There can be no doubt that the ongoing issues concerning Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and Palestine as a whole will continue to provide a tangible need for dialogue between Turkey and Israel. Ankara certainly appreciates the daily security concerns that Tel Aviv must recognize and address, and I do not trivialize that reality. In fact, my presence here represents a new Turkish commitment to working with Israel to oppose terrorism in this region, and bringing peace to our war-weary community of nations. There is still much which we disagree on and as I have already stated, that is not necessary bad for a relationship between sovereign partners. As for the purposes of this summit, I feel that we should reserve such passionate issues for conversations for after we achieve normalized relations between Turkey and Israel.

On the issue of 'respect' for Israel, can one commit that, from Turkey, Israel will receive the respect it deserves as a international partner, and a productive member of the international community. As acting chief diplomat of the Republic of Turkey, that is all I am willing to offer and most of what i am able to provide you with. The transitional government in Ankara has given me the authority to resume full diplomatic relations, which is why I am here.

In respect to the compensation proposal of $ 20 million, this is a generous gesture by the Israeli government and I thank the Israeli government for keeping it on the table. However, my main concern is what steps have been taken to prevent a tragedy like this in the future? I have not been made privy to past discussions between your superiors and my predecessor, but I would prefer to discuss the subject of future prevention rather than compensation. As well, Ankara is prepared to continued negotiations on the forestalled defense agreements, without reservation.
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Jai Pharaoh | King of the Nile
Posted Image Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
Acting Foreign Minister for the Republic of Turkey

In addition to my earlier statements, I would like to inform you that the Turkish transitional government is VERY concerned about the news of your government's renewed commitment to the E1 Plan. While I had hoped we could focus on reconciliation, the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Force wishes to voice it's severe displeasure, and concern, with this plan as it will certainly spark further hostility in the West Bank.
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Posted Image ציפי חוטובלי | Tzipi Hotovely
Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

Let me address the latter of your statement first. My government has not renewed its commitment to the 1995 E1 Plan. Members of the Government coalition have and like any other democracy in the world they are perfectly entitled to have such opinions. Yet at this moment there is not such agenda for proceeding with the E1 plans as both Likud and Kaluna is currently in opposition. We therefore stand perplexed that Turkey addresses this matter on this conference?

As for the matter of our proposition for compensation, let us remember that the understanding of the events 10 years ago will probably remain an issue of which we cannot agree. It is therefore impossible to outline any measures of prevention, but one could be that the Gaza Flotilla had not breached the security zone in the first place. The compensation is therefore meant for Israel to close the matter with Turkey and proceed towards a new era for collaboration and strong diplomatic relations.

In reference to your gesture to re-ignite defense agreements, I must say that we welcome such statement. However that means that Turkey is to merely recommence activities and sign the agreements with the alterations necessary to be dealt with due to their age.


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Jai Pharaoh | King of the Nile
Posted Image Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
Acting Foreign Minister for the Republic of Turkey

I mention it, Madame Deputy Minister, because Ankara would view such a commitment as a direct affront to our conciliatory process. Israel has not relented in the granting of settlement rights for many years now, but for your government to even contemplate the ambitions of the 1995 E1 Plan, while we are engaging you in good faith, would be far too disrespectful to ignore. I am glad to hear that no such re-commitment is being considered, so let us proceed.

Mrs. Hotovely, the Turkish government's issue is not whether or not violating a military blockade was a wise thing to do; our issue is with the fact that the Israeli Navy killed nine humanitarian activists armed with construction material and medicine. How is it that an elite fighting force, as the Israeli Navy certainly is, could not enforce a blockade and turn away a flotilla of aid workers without harming them? Blaming humanitarians for their own deaths simply can not be how this matter is justified. Does your government even accept that this tragedy could have been avoided, by simply easing the blockade? Is Israel willing to ease the blockade? If not, then there must be cooperation between Israel and Turkey for Ankara can not permit a future tragedy like the Raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

And in respect to future Turkish-Israeli defense cooperation, I am.. not certain that I understand you correctly, Mrs. Hotovely. Israeli security and Turkish security, while hand-in-hand at time, is not interchangeable. We welcome productive collaboration, between Ankara and Tel Aviv, but Turkey will not 'merely recommend activities and sign the agreements'. As a regional power, we expect discourse and consideration of our input in future agreement dialogues is nonnegotiable.
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Posted Image ציפי חוטובלי | Tzipi Hotovely
Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu,

I thank you for the clarification on the 1995 E1 plan. While there might be differences on opinions on that matter, I am glad to take notice it not being a subject that clouds these talks as no action has been taken nor intended to do so.

Gaza is under blockade as it is governed by the terrorist group known as Hamas. Merely 7 days after our disengagement in 2003, Hamas celebrated it with firing rockets on Ashkelon.

Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu,

I fear that if Israel is supposed to alter its possition on matters regarding national security in a period where ISIS operates in not only Syria and Iraq, but Lebanon and Jordan. Where Iran has provided Hezbollah with parts intended to assemble a SCUD system and a Sinai Insurgency to reconcile relations with Turkey. I believe we have no other choice but to remain at status quo. The Israeli Prime Minister has issued an apology to the now former President of Turkey and Israel has offered compensation for the intruders on board the Gaza Flotilla. That is all we can offer.

As for defence agreements, we are not discussing future defence agreements, but agreements already signed between our nations and suspended by Turkey's former Government. This agreements includes: Modernization of Turkey's F-4 Phantoms and F-5 aircraft – $900 million, Upgrading 170 of Turkey's M60A1 tanks – $687 million, 10 Heron UAV - $183 million, 5 billion dollar deal for 1,000 Merkava Mk 3 tanks and other minor agreements including the ability to bid for the anti-ballistic missile system tender.

I hope that latter clarifies our agenda?

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Jai Pharaoh | King of the Nile
Posted Image Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
Acting Foreign Minister for the Republic of Turkey

Please do not misunderstand: Turkey knows, very well, the threat of having hostile militants on our borders, we are not condemning Israel for defending itself from terrorism. We only wish to assist, and improve the overall situation. For now, we are willing to let our case rest, but I hope we can have future dialogues on how Turkey may help Israel address Hamas, and bring peace to Gaza. We have no sympathy for Hamas, only for those innocent in Gaza caught in the cross-fire.

Mrs. Hotovely, the Turkish government has accepted your government's apology and the families of the late activists will finally be compensated for their loss. Your government faces unique security challenges in Gaza, and while we do not excuse the horrible mistake of that raid on vessels carrying Turkish humanitarian workers - we are ready to move forward with reconciling our partnership with Israel.

Ah, yes. Please excuse me - of course, Ankara is prepared to uphold it's prior commitments to the Israeli government.
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Posted Image ציפי חוטובלי | Tzipi Hotovely
Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

I can give Turkey the assurance that provided relations can be normalised in such a way that Israel deems appropriate, Israel would welcome talks regarding the situation in Gaza mediated by or with Turkish participation. However I must also lay emphasis on the fact, that for 5 years, since Operation Protective Edge, the border between Israel and Gaza has been peaceful with only minor issues. Hence the Operation is regarded as successful reducing Hamas' capabilities significantly.

In regards to the suspended defense agreements. To ensure understanding is mutual, Turkey will begin a process that will allow these agreements to be fulfilled?



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