Israel Matzav

Davutoğlu summons and 'warns' Israel's ambassador to Turkey

Israeli ambassador to Turkey Gaby Levy (pictured) has been summoned and 'warned' by someone acting on behalf of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. The content of the warnings was not disclosed. Davutoğlu made the fact that the 'warnings' were given public (Hat Tip: Joshua I).

Levy was summoned at Davutoğlu's order and the Israeli diplomat had a meeting with Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Halit Çevik, who gave him a series of “serious warnings and messages,” Davutoğlu said in an interview broadcast on a local television channel in Konya, his hometown and electoral district. The foreign minister did not reveal what the warning were about, saying only that they concerned “recent developments.”

But the conversation, whose date was not given, appeared to be about a planned aid flotilla to Gaza. Davutoğlu denied reports that Levy had visited the Foreign Ministry to tell the Turkish officials to stop the flotilla, which is expected to sail towards Gaza in June despite an Israeli blockade of the coastal strip.

“Ambassador Levy's coming to the Foreign Ministry and issuing such a warning is out of the question. No foreign ambassador in Ankara can do that,” Davutoğlu said. “On the contrary, he was summoned to the Foreign Ministry upon my directions and given several serious warnings and messages about recent developments. Turkey's expectations concerning steps that need to be taken so as to prevent a repeat of similar events were conveyed to him,” he added.

Davutoğlu said he would not provide details about the content of the meeting but added that Gaby was given “clear messages” regarding Turkey's stance on certain issues.

Another report makes clear that the warnings related to the prospect of a repeat attempt by the Mavi Marmara to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza.

"What Turkey expected to prevent repetition of similar incidents to Mavi Marmara attack have been relayed to the ambassador," Davutoglu said while speaking at a tv program.

When recalled that participation to Israel's foundation anniversary celebrations was low and that nobody from the cabinet attended the celebrations, and asked whether this was a diplomatic boycott, Davutoglu said it was not right to describe this a diplomatic boycott.

"It is very meaningful that nobody went there although there was not a boycott decision," Davutoglu said adding that Israel should take this stance into consideration seriously.

Davutoglu said Israel should soon review its stance and should show respect to Turkish nation, "normally, we are careful about national days of the countries. If they want our friendship, criteria of this is clear. Israel should admit its crime and compensate it," he said.

When recalled the news reports that ,"a second flotilla is getting prepared to set sail a short time before the anniversary of the Mavi Marmara attack. There are demands from the United States and Israel to stop this flotilla. Israeli Ambassador in Ankara Levy came to foreign ministry and told to stop the flotilla," Davutoglu said it was out of question for Levy to come to the ministry to make such a warning. "No ambassador can come to Foreign Ministry in Ankara to make warning," he said.

"On the contrary, Deputy Undersecretary Halit Cevik recalled Israeli Ambassador upon my directives, made him serious warnings over the recent developments and gave messages," Davutoglu said.

It's time to recall Levy from Ankara. Enough is enough.

Labels: Ahmet Davutoglu, flotilla, Gaby Levy, Gaza plenty, Mavi Marmara, Turkish obsession with Israel

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:54 PM