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Turkey’s prime minister says Hamas is not a terrorist group, needs good advice about how to save face quickly, honorably

June 7, 2010

WorldTVNews.com

ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogen is walking a political tight rope, balancing his political future in Turkey with his country’s relationship with Israel, NATO and the European Union.

Israeli military officials tell the Jerusalem Post at least five of the activists aboard the Mavi Marmura, the ship targeted in the recent deadly raid, are connected to terrorist organizations, including one who was going to Gaza “in order to help Hamas.”

While this information might serve to build Israel’s case that its widely criticized attack was justified by evidence uncovered after the fact, Turkey’s leader has backed himself into a corner.

“I do not think that Hamas is a terrorist organization,” Erdogan told the Hurriyet newspaper.  “They are Palestinians in resistance, fighting for their own land.”

Although these pubic statements might be downplayed in off-the-record conversations, they are almost certain to have at least some impact on Turkey’s application to join the European Union.

Thousands of missile attacks on Israel from Hamas-ruled Gaza are well known.  The missiles are allegedly supplied by Iran.

Now, Iran claims it is prepared to send its own naval ships to escort activist supply ships trying break the Gaza blockade.

This is almost certainly an empty threat.  Iran is facing sactions over its nuclear program, and it will not risk provoking a war that would further debilitate its situation.

Turkey has the power to get the situation under control, and the prime minister needs some good options about how to save face in an honorable way.

Turkey is running the risk of appearing to move toward a military alliance with Iran.  While that might be good for short-term local politics, it’s not what the Turkish people want for the long term.