ANKARA, Turkey– On Friday, Turkey urged Israel to end the “humanitarian tragedy” taking place in Gaza, saying ties between the two allies cannot recover if Palestinians continue to suffer and peace talks continue to stall in the Middle East.

Turkey’s Foreign Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, told reporters that “Ending the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza; reviving peace efforts both on the Palestinian and Syrian track; and most importantly reinstating a prevailing spirit of peace in the region… this is what he want.”  He further added that “when there is a return to the track of peace, these relations of trust with Israel will be established on the same level as before.”

Davutoglu said that Israel’s war in Gaza at the turn of the year “killed the peace perspective” in the Middle East.  He further commented that the ongoing turmoil in the Palestinian territories is at the heart of the bilateral complications between Turkey and Israel.

In his comments to reporters, Davutoglu made it clear that Ankara was still bitter that the war in Gaza disrupted indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria; talks which Turkey had mediated “with so much effort.”

Davutoglu also flatly rejected assertions that the government in Ankara is becoming anti-Israeli.  “The humanitarian situation in Gaza should be improved in the shortest possible time.  How can wanting this amount to being anti-Israeli?  This is a humanitarian attitude,” he said.  Davutoglu further added that “although no single rocket has been fired on Gaza from Israel over the past eight months, children in Gaza have no schools to go to, and people have no homes to take shelter in.”

Earlier in the week, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister said that “Relations between Turkey and Israel have always been strong.  We have full confidence that they will always remain strong.”  Israel’s Prime Minister echoed similar statements this week saying that he hopes Turkish policy will be towards “strengthening peace.”

The Palestinian struggle for statehood enjoys broad ranging support in Turkey and so many wonder whether Turkey’s stance is a political one or whether it is grounded in the humanitarian objectives they outlined above.

For more information, please see:

Daily Star Lebanon- Turkey Tells Israel to End Gaza “Humanitarian Tragedy”- 17 October 2009

Tehran Times- Turkey Tells Israel to End “Tragedy”- 17 October 2009

Saudi Gazette- End Gaza Tragedy Turkey Tells Israel– 16 October 2009