  Erdogan cancels visit to Gaza September 5, 2011 - 14:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is bypassing Hamas-controlled Gaza on his way to visit Egypt next week. According to israelnationalnews.com, a government spokesperson, responding to news reports that Erdogan would visit de facto Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, said the timing is not right. Erdogan has been overtly pro-Hamas, even declaring that it is not a terrorist organization. He has quickly moved away from once-friendly relations with Israel during the past three years and has created a diplomatic alliance with Syria and Iran. Following conclusions by a committee appointed by the United Nations to report on the flotilla clash last year between Turkish-based terrorist activists and the IDF Navy, Erdogan chilled relations with Israel even further. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has refused Erdogan's demands that Israel apologize for the incident, while Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has said that it is Turkey that should request forgiveness. The Palmer Report on the flotilla clash stated that Israel’s maritime blockade on Hamas in Gaza is totally legal, a conclusion that sparked reports that Erdogan would stop off in Gaza, through the Rafiah land crossing, in a protest visit. An anonymous Israel spokesman told Channel 2 Sunday, September 4 night that if Erdogan were to visit Gaza, he would harm relations between Turkey and the United States, which has outlawed Hamas as a terrorist organization.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
