Turkey announced its own arms embargo on Syria and says it already intercepted a Syrian flagged ship. I’m all for it.
But when you compare Prime Minister Erdogan’s approach to Syria and Hamas, you gotta scratch your head in wonder.
Erdogan on engaging Assad, who was re-elected in 2007:
“I have cut all contacts with the Syrian administration,” Erdogan said. “We never wanted things to arrive at this point, but unfortunately, the Syrian administration has forced us to take such a decision.”
Erdogan on engaging Hamas:
“Where is terrorism? They entered into the elections and after the elections this is how they were reacted, I mean, calling them terrorists, this would be disrespect to the will of the Palestinian people,” Erdogan added.
Erdogan on Turkey’s right to intercept arms deliveries:
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has stopped a Syrian-flagged ship in the Sea of Marmara in the past, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported. He did not say when the ship was stopped or whether any weapons were found aboard it. “If there are planes carrying weapons, or such shipments by land, then we would stop and confiscate them as in the past,” the Anatolia quoted Erdogan as saying.
Erdogan on Israel’s right to intercept arms deliveries:
“This is the reason for war. This is something you cannot do in international waters.”
Bottom line: Turkey’s blockade of Syria legitimizes Israel’s blockade of Syria.
