Speaking to Today’s Zaman yesterday on the relationship between Turkey and Israel, which hit a new low on Monday when Israel killed nine people aboard the Mavi Marmara, which was part of a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla in international waters, Kapusuz said: “Those who think that Israel cannot be criticized, that it cannot be challenged, are those who think in Israel’s terms. We are not afraid of anyone. We will continue to tell the truth and break taboos.”
In response to a question regarding claims that the AK Party government will fall from power because of the tension in the two countries’ relations, Kapusuz said: “Circles that have been planted and supported by Israel among us are promoting the thesis that this is going to cost the government dearly. Some even suggest that the government will collapse. These were the same circles that had said the AK Party was over for the US when Turkey refused to allow US forces to use airbases in its territory during the Iraq war. This government is breaking taboos. If there is a price for that, we are ready to pay.”
He said a humanitarian tragedy was taking place in Gaza, noting that Turkey cannot simply remain a spectator. He said the contemporary world at large is being hypocritical on Gaza. “The entire world is simply watching this human tragedy. We are only showing the reaction that any country should normally show. When a civilian initiative comprising the people of 32 nations tries to take aid [to Gaza], Israel turns international waters into a bloodbath. Nobody can expect us to remain a spectator. Those who see this as a matter of domestic policy, those who think we are taking these steps for early elections, are very wrong. How can anyone suggest that this is for early elections or that the government is going to fall? This is impossible to grasp or accept.”
Kapusuz denied speculation that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was not backing the government on Israel. “Turkey’s military and civilian bureaucracy, political parties and civil society organizations all share the same view on this issue. Even people who are at odds on many issues think the same on this one.”
He also said Turkey and Brazil’s initiative to convince Iran on an international nuclear swap deal had disturbed Israel, which was another point contributing to the hostile relations. Kapusuz stated that Israel was attempting to portray the image that the US does not want the nuclear swap agreement to take place. He said Israel started a propaganda campaign against Turkey after it successfully convinced Iran to sign a nuclear swap deal.
Kapusuz stated the recent rise in the number of terrorist attacks was also related to this propaganda.
