Israel Matzav

Turkey considered going to war with Israel BEFORE Mavi Marmara incident

The Turkish newspaper Haberturk reports that the Turkish government considered sending a naval escort to Gaza with the Mavi Marmara in 2010 - which would have been considered an act of war.

According to Turkish paper Haberturk, at 7.30 a.m. an emergency meeting was held with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, Interior Minister Besir Atalay, several army generals and navy chief Admiral Nusret Guner.

...

At the meeting, the idea of sending warships to escort the Mavi Marmara had come into question.

The government asked the Navy if they were ready to do this. Admiral Guner confirmed that it was ready to send warships to escort the anti-Israel flotilla, but stated that this would likely trigger a hot war with Israel and added that "In that case, (since a) state of conflict with Israel is imminent, the Navy should have the authorization to enforce rules of engagement."

...

But after mulling the possibility of an armed conflict with Israel, the government abandoned the idea of escorting the Mavi Marmara with warships.

Instead, ministers proposed the idea of telling the media that the Turkish navy was escorting the vessel, even though it was not.

Admirals and generals strongly opposed the idea of staging a "fake show".

Ministers decided to wait for Prime Minister Erdogan to return to Turkey; hours later, the Gaza Flotilla raid took place.

Another emergency meeting was held this time with Prime Minister Erdogan to discuss the government's reaction. It is not known whether or not the option of military force was considered at that later meeting.

 Oh my....

Labels: IHH, Mavi Marmara, Turkey, Turkish obsession with Israel

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:45 PM