Author: Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively for VK
Israel is actively monitoring the visit to Turkey of the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. Although Turkish-Palestinian rapprochement started long before, Israel fears that official Ankara may make a turn in the relations in such a way that Israeli-Turkish cooperation the way it used to be would become impossible.
Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Turkey includes meeting with political leaders of the state to discuss a wide range of issues, including joint actions against Israel. But the real shock in Israel was caused by a message that Abbas had organized an honorary evening to commemorate the 10 terrorists release in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and a personal meeting with terrorist Amune Mune, who lured the Israeli teenager Ofir Rahum to his death in Ramallah. Muna was released for Shalit and deported to Turkey after the terrorist’s refusal to head to Gaza. She feared the revenge of relatives of the convicted women she abused while imprisoned in Israel. Muna was nicknamed “the devil of Bir Naballah”.
“It is a shocking fact that a man declaring his devotion to peace is on his way to Turkey to meet a hideous murderer,” people say in Israel. More concern was caused by Hamas Secretary General Khaled Mashal’s planning to visit Turkey. The US and Europe consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization and any contacts with it are prohibited. Russia is an exception, saying that it considers Hamas officials in Gaza to be the legally-elected representatives of the Palestinians and met them at the Kremlin, although it was not a summit. If Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan meets Khaled Mashal, it would mean that Turkey is clearly supporting terrorism against Israel, Israeli officials believe.
Turkish leaders have recently made harsh statements that caused discontent in Israeli state and diplomatic structures. The most stormy discussions were triggered by the words of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who said that Ankara had managed to bring Israel to its knees. At the same time, General Ido Nehushtan, Commander of the Israeli Airborne Forces, rounded up the achievements of 2011 on December 21, expressing hope that Israeli and Turkish pilots would start joint training in the near future. “Syria remains a common problem” for both Israel and Turkey and nothing contributes more to friendship than common enemies, Nehushtan jokes.
