Erdogan plays out anti-Israel routine during UN speech
Turkish PM says Israel "has seriously wronged" Turkey and its people; reiterates demand for 'Marmara' apology, lifting of Gaza blockade.
By JORDANA HORN, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENTErdogan at UNGA 311(photo credit: REUTERS)
NEW YORK – In an animated speech, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke out vehemently against Israel and put the blame for the current Israel-Turkey tension solely on the shoulders of the Israeli government.Calling Turkish support for a Palestinian state “unconditional,” Erdogan said that “it is necessary to put pressure on Israel to achieve peace.”RELATED:US delegation walks out on Ahmadinejad UNGA speechCyprus promises to share gas profits with Turkish north“What you face today is not a simple equation of peace for security,” he said. “You must read the newly flourishing political and human geography in the Middle East.”A new approach was necessitated by the changing political climate created by the Arab Spring, he said.
Citing May 2010’s Mavi Marmara incident, Erdogan said that Israel “has seriously wronged a country and its people.”“Israel must apologize, pay compensate to the families of our martyrs, and lift the blockade on Gaza,” he said.
