Israeli Defense chief: Turkey aids ISIS

Israeli Defense chief: Turkey aids ISIS.

Israeli Defense chief: Turkey aids terror

Ya'alon's rhetoric reflects low point in Israel-Turkey ties as Ankara says won't pursue joint energy projects



Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon lashed out at Turkey on Monday for supporting terrorism.



Speaking at a conference about the international effort required to 
combat global terrorism, Ya'alon accused Iran of "trying to renew aid to
Hamas because it has proven itself in front of the ‘Zionist enemy.’”

He then went on to say that “Qatar and Turkey support Hamas and are members of the UN. Turkey is also a member of NATO.



“The foreign terrorist headquarters of Hamas is located in Istanbul. 
Salah Aruri is the man sitting there," he said, referring to the head of
Hamas’ West Bank infrastructure, who Israel claims masterminded a plot 
to overthrow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Where is the world? When we talk about the war on terror, it starts 
with whether we’re choosing to ignore this kind of phenomenon, countries
which openly sponsor terrorism and terrorist activity,” he continued.

Ya’alon expressed outrage at the United Nations and the international
community for appointing a commission of inquiry to investigate 
Israel's recent operation in Gaza.

"They are going to investigate our moral standards, when we are 
dealing with an enemy that uses its citizens as human shields, while we 
are acting in accordance with the principles of international law," he 
said.

"Is this how the free world joins the campaign against terrorism? The
international community should instead rally to condemn Hamas and those
who help it,” said Ya’alon.

Ya'alon's remarks reflect the low point of ties between Israel and Turkey.



Also on Tuesday Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said Ankara will
not partake in any joint projects with Israel until the conflict with 
Palestinians in resolved.

"We try to use energy projects as requirements of peace. We never 
talk about economic feasibility of a project without political 
feasibility. Our 
national policy is based on this understanding," the official was quoted by the Daily Sabah website as saying.



"However, without a permanent ceasefire that would satisfy all sides, we
can not think of any energy projects with Israel. People have a 
tendency to forget the inhumane situation in Gaza, just because we do 
not see it in the news for the past few days does not mean we should 
forget what has been happening in the region."

Turkey downgraded its diplomatic ties with the Jewish state after the
deadly 2010 maritime raid by Israeli commandos on a Gaza-bound Turkish 
ship. Ten pro-Palestinian activists were killed.

Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador, demanded a formal apology, 
compensation for the victims, and an end to the Gaza blockade.

After a US-brokered apology issued by Israel in 2013, the sides 
engaged in contacts to mend fences and were close to a compensation 
agreement.

But during Israel's war in Gaza this summer, Erdogan, who portrays 
himself as a global Muslim leader who speaks up for Palestinian rights, 
accused Israel of having “no conscience, no honor, no pride. Those who 
condemn Hitler day and night have surpassed Hitler in barbarism.”

Last week, US President Barack Obama urged Ergodan to curb anti-Semitism



The two leaders met on the sidelines of a NATO summit centered on 
Russian-Ukrainian tensions and the rise of the Islamic State group.

“The President and President Erdogan [discussed] the importance of 
building tolerant and inclusive societies and combating the scourge of 
anti-Semitism,” according to a White House statement.