"Turkey: Cheers for Premier After Dispute With Peres"
A10, Saturday 1/31/09, World Briefing
By Sebnem Arsu
The last sentence in this brief is key. A report that Peres called to apologize was disputed. With his impassioned explanation of Israel's predicament, Peres had no reason to apologize for refuting Erdogan's warped view of the conflict and shilling for Hamas.
Erdogan's performance at the Forum in Davos should've been a source of embarrassment for the Prime Minister. Touting propagandistic lines by the second, Erdogan misstated several important facets about Gaza, the ceasefire and Israel's responsibility for the deaths of Gazans. Erdogan's remarks, ostensibly made in the spirit of peace, spread misunderstanding and anger at Israel.
Some have suggested Erdogan's performance will foment anti-Semitism. Considering the rise of anti-Jewish bigotry currently in Turkey, not quelled by Erdogan's recent shilling for Hamas,[both unmentioned in the brief or the larger online article] Turkish leaders should be speaking with a thoughtful and nuanced understanding of Israel's predicament.
Instead, Erdogan's appealing to his country's and the region's Islamists, and hailed as a hero.
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