tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141940009976831016.post5732169069433931896..comments2024-02-04T20:44:05.770-08:00Comments on Jewish Facts From Portland: Hamas Latest Secret Elections and Their BackersNadene Goldfoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654020384945801380noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141940009976831016.post-59952343665518492722013-04-02T10:42:05.677-07:002013-04-02T10:42:05.677-07:00Gil Ronen points out in Arutz Sheva that "Dep...Gil Ronen points out in Arutz Sheva that "Deputy Foreign Minister Ze'ev Elkin confirmed Tuesday morning that the apology to Turkey over the Mavi Marmara incident is connected to the concern that Iran might obtain a nuclear weapon.<br /><br />MK Elkin told Voice of Israel public radio that restoration of the ties with Ankara is one of the subjects at the top of the government's current agenda.<br /><br />Elkin said that in the course of the coming fortnight, the two sides will discuss compensation for the families of the Turkish citizens killed aboard the Marmara, and other matters. He estimated that it will not be possible to return to the warm relations Israel and Turkey had in the past, but explained that this was not because of the Marmara incident. Rather, he said, it was because of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's "geopolitical ambitions."<br /><br />However, Elkin added, making amends with Turkey serves the Israeli interest because of the crisis in Syria, because of the Iranian nuclear issue, and because of the importance of cooperation between Israel and NATO."<br />Nadene Goldfoothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01654020384945801380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141940009976831016.post-8888530101885668932013-04-02T10:22:34.919-07:002013-04-02T10:22:34.919-07:00Daniel Pipes points out in his blog that "Erd...Daniel Pipes points out in his blog that "Erdoğan is extending his time in the spotlight by demanding that Israel pay $1 million to each of the nine casualties' families, ten times the amount Israel has offered. He isn't yet dropping his case against the Israeli generals involved in the raid, nor is he fully restoring diplomatic ties with Israel. And he's announced that he will visit the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in what is a thinly-concealed victory lap."Nadene Goldfoothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01654020384945801380noreply@blogger.com