Shay wrote:I wholly agree. We have a moral duty to the Kurds. I know the public at large is disappointed by Israel's alignment with the Turks, but understands that our isolation in the region makes it a very difficult relationship to give up.
It's relieving to know that at least to some extent, you understand why Israel needs Turkey. I hope you know that does not by any means mean we are anti-Kurd. We are just in a very difficult situation ourselves, one I'm sure you nkow very well yourselves..
I can only hope that soon, through diplomatic pressure of both the US and the EU, Turkey will ease up on the Kurdish issue.
Israel has no leverage over Turkey; they make a lot of money from us, but we need them more than they need us. However, Turkey wants to join the EU very much. Berlin is the 3rd largest Turkish city in the world. They want to be Europe; However, EU has leverage over them, and I hope they apply this leverage to make changes to civil rights issues, the Kurdish issue, and more. The US has military interests in Turkey in it's fight against Syria and Iran. They don't have as much leverage as they used to, but still, America is a strong superpower, nobody wants to piss them off.
thanks for your contribution Shay. I agree with most of what you have said. I can understand real-politik. Just like how us kurds need to engage with at least on country that is occupying Kurdistan in order to continue the struggle in one part of kurdistan, Israel is in an isolated position that needs to make alliances. Sometime real-politik does not leave any other option.
My only concern with Israel/Turkish alliance has been the israelies and Jews (american) advocating this alliance based on fabrications such as turkey being a jewish friendly state. I can understand needs of states, but i cannot accept the distortion of history. the infamous wealth tax of %75 on non-muslims also included Jews. There has been recent works by Istanbul Jews such as Rafit Bali highlighting the anti-semetic history in Turkey. But this is not enough to rid the commonly held false believe that turkey is not anti-semitic.
Eventhough I beleive, states follow their self-interests, I do not think this should be the case with the public. I believe the bonds between people is much more solid and everlasting than relations between states. Hence i advocate the friendship between people. I would also include arabs, Turks and Persians, but they need sometime to grow up and overcome their hatred.
regards
Rubar
