Erdogan says cancelling plans to visit Israel

Istanbul, Turkey – AFP

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday he was cancelling plans to visit Israel because of its “inhumane” war against Hamas in Gaza.

“We had a project to go to Israel, but it was cancelled, we will not go,” Erdogan told ruling party lawmakers in parliament, adding that he viewed Hamas as “liberators” fighting for their own land.

Ankara’s relations with Israel froze over an Israeli raid on a Turkish ship carrying aid into Gaza, which killed 10 civilians in 2010.

Erdogan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a United Nations summit in New York last month, marking an improvement in relations that began with a decision last year to reappoint ambassadors.

The Turkish leader did not say when he had intended to visit Israel, where Ankara had been eyeing joining a natural gas pipeline project promoted by the United States.

“Of course, we had good intentions, but (Netanyahu) abused them,” Erdogan said.

“If he had continued with good intentions, our relations might have been different, but now, unfortunately, this will not happen either.”

Erdogan had taken a more measured tone on the first day of war, condemning all attacks against civilians and urging Israel to be measured in its response.

But he became much more vocal after the deadly strike on Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza last week, leading to large and angry protests across the Muslim world.

On Tuesday, he accused the United Nations Security Council — where the United States, Britain and France have permanent seats — of bowing to the “Israeli regime”.

On Wednesday, he added: “Those outside the region should stop pouring fuel into the fire.

“All parties should take their hands off the trigger and a ceasefire should be declared immediately… Direct or indirect negotiations should be initiated to release the hostages.”

Erdogan is expected to appear at a massive rally in Istanbul on Saturday defending Palestinian right.