INTERNATIONAL > Israeli envoy cancels event with Turkish Deputy PM over the row on Zionism

BERLIN

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç visits the remains of the Berlin wall on March 5. AA photo

Israel’s ambassador to Germany has canceled his participation in a high-level event that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç is scheduled to attend, citing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s comments on Zionism.

Israeli Ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman was to take part in the event, entitled “Muslims, Jews, Christians: Peace is possible!” at a Berlin hotel, according to the Times of Israel website.

“Because of the importance of this event I expected that the Turkish prime minister would retract his recent horrible statements and lies about Zionism. But since that did not happen I am forced to cancel my participation in the event. Erdoğan’s statements contradict the purpose of dialogue,” the statement said.

Last week, Prime Minister Erdoğan’s likened Zionism to crimes against humanity in a Vienna conference.

March/06/2013

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gursel ismail

3/20/2013 10:02:34 PM

"In 1947, the Chief Rabbi Deshinski wrote a letter to the United Nations where he pleaded with them , he said 'I have under me 60,000 constituents, we do not want to be included in this state of Israel that you are creating..' You see how opposite Judaism is to Zionism that the chief Rabbi was asking to be included with the Arab people rather than the zionists...today there are 100s of 1000s of us..."

Joe B

3/14/2013 1:18:06 PM

Of course Israel is upset. If it weren't for Erdogan they could continue their oppression and colonialisation of Palestinian land without any serious objection. Turkey could be their best friend and ally, but it is up to Israel to reach out to both Palestinians and the wider neighbourhood instead of behaving like a US bastion.

mara mcglothin

3/6/2013 8:10:48 PM

MURAT And I could say the same for how the rest of the World views Islamists, but then you would hear many comments about my anti-Islam rantings which could not be further from the truth. Every religion has their rabid nutjobs. Why should Jews be any different. You wouldn't want to be lumped in with the Taliban would you, so why would normal Jews defend Zionism.

john albay

3/6/2013 11:16:02 AM

The comments about zionisum were 100% correct and I am pleased that the zionist ambassador did not come to the event as he really is not welcome. The zionist jews are always stirring up trouble,so it is better he is not there!!It would be better to boycott israel and cut all ties toi the zionist state.

cezer skonore

3/6/2013 3:45:17 AM

Apparently peace is not so possible after all.

ivan mezel

3/6/2013 3:36:54 AM

There is no stoping mr. Erdogan his anti Israeli tirade. What is the apology for.Why apologize to a megalomaniac who just wants to score with browny points with...? Egypt, Syria, Lebanon? They are not buying. It's no way for Turkey to establish ' normal' relationships with Israel. In fact, the coward should simply say that he only wants the apology and nothing else. He is still hoping that Mr. Netanyahu will be conned into it. Guess what? It's not going to happen.

Sami Soulima

3/6/2013 2:03:53 AM

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan takes every opportunity to try to find favor with Hamas. It makes no sense to turn Turkey into a country with no connection to the secular vision of Ataturk.

Murat

3/6/2013 12:21:37 AM

It seems Israelis do not really get how the rest of the World, most of it anyways, percieve Zionism.

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