No normalization with ‘oppressive’ Israel, vows Erdogan

Turkish President Abdullah Gul calls on Israel to halt its offensive on the Gaza Strip and not to carry out a ground incursion, while Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says there can be no normalizing of Turkish-Israeli ties as long as Israel’s actions continue.

“I would like to remind Israel that (a ground operation) would lead to dangerous developments and sow the seeds of hatred,” Gul says on his way out of a mosque following Friday prayers.

“Such an escalation could lead to chaos in our region,” he said.

Erdogan, meanwhile, says a restoration of ties between Israel and Turkey cannot take place in the current state of affairs.”

“We cannot look positively at a process of normalization while bombs are raining on our (Palestinian) brothers,” Erdogan said at a meeting where he unveiled his policy aims if elected president. “We cannot be on the side of the oppressor.”

— The Associated Press