Knesset Discusses Apology
Turkey’s Erdoğan expressed Turkey’s determination about apology, compensation and removing Gaza blockade at the beginning of the meeting of the Palestinian Ambassadors in Istanbul. Delaying the report serves Netanyahu’s intention to persuade ministers. We know there is an apology formula of USA but its content has not been declared yet. Six ministers are willing for apology within this framework. Dan Meridor and Ehud Barack is the leading supporters of apology. Because they are afraid of possible trials against soldiers who attended to raid. Avigdor Lieberman and Moşe Ya’alon do not agree with Barack and Meridor. Turkey’s demand is a certain, diplomatic and official apology saying “State of Israel apologizes from Turkish Republic.” Although this expression is inadmissible for him Lieberman said “If Israel apologizes from Turkey, we won’t leave coalition.” Netanyahu has heaved a sigh of relief by these words but he avoids talking about this issue till a certain decision of Knesset. Although Knesset is on holiday, government is supposed to gather, reach a decision and state the decision before the date of clarification the report that is 20 August.
On the other hand right wing argues against the apology in Israel. They consider that if there is a guilty and must apologize this is Turkey because Turkey wanted to defy siege. Turkey must apologize from Israel. An article that released by Jerusalem Post is an interpretation of this thought. According to article Obama wants to see the USA, Israel and Turkey together for a peaceful Mideast. For this reason the USA is forcing Israel to apologize from Turkey. Israel shouldn’t submit because even if Israel apologize it is too difficult to ban trial of soldiers. Turkey is not willing to make up with Israel. And even if Turkey wants to give up trialof soldiers this case won’t save soldiers from trial because this relinquishment is not something personal. Jerusalem Post also said “Israel want to impede a high ranking visitation to Gaza by apology. Article also said “no need apology because despite the political relations economic relations are still going well.”
Palestine is on course independence
Palestine government plans to issue a declaration of independence in September at the UN General Assembly. This issue was on the agenda of UN Security Council in the previous days. This is emphasized that the Palestinian problem came to an impasse and the international community should be involved in the problem. UN Mideast envoy Robert Serry mentioned that Israel’s settlement policies stir the gridlock up. Envoy of the Germany announced his country’s support for independent Palestine. And envoy of Palestine stated “our final intention is membership of UN.”
Mahmud Abbas giving an interview to TRT TÜRK, answered the questions about what will they would do in case of USA veto at UN Security Council. He said “113 country recognized our independence, even if USA vetoes our independence we will carry on our exerting efforts to gain all rights at UN General Assembly. In case of veto we will go to UN General Assembly. By the question of whether HAMAS will recognize Israel or not, he said “I don’t know HAMAS will recognize existence of Israel or not this is their own decision but HAMAS is a part of the Palestinian people. And he added “ I said to Netanyahu that he should decide. Does he choose peace or Israeli settlements?” “Jordan Valley, West Bank and East Jerusalem are lands Palestinians. We cannot accept settlements here. After independence we are planning to build a passage to ensure integrity between West Bank and Gaza Strip” Abbas said. Finally he mentioned that he is not going to be candidate for presidency. On the other hand, according to El-Quds HAMAS and FATAH reached a compromise on the disagreement about prime minister. And they are going to hold a meeting in Cairo on 4 August.
Will Palestine live the “Arab Spring” ?
While Marvan Barguti’s calling for demonstrations were still fresh, Mahmud Abbas has just called for demonstrations too. Marvan Barguti said “Let’s make use of opportunity of Arab Spring, let’s spill out into the streets to protest Israel and accelerate the September process.” Mahmud Abbas has repeated this call. And said “we can intimidate Israel by peaceful tools… We can make the world heard that we are here.” These calls are enough to make Israel afraid. That’s unknown that these calls will work or not. But Israel is getting ready for September demonstrations by bearing arms. Israel Defense Ministry has spent 25 million USD on rubber bullet, new produced weapons, water supply tanks. This is argued that there are microwave weapons among them. These weapons lead civilians who are in 100 meters to Israeli security forces to be hemiplegic. While Israel taking precautions, according to most of the Palestinian journalists, Mahmud Abbas has no charisma to make people spill out the streets.
Undemocratic Implementations
Recent reports about the number of the prisoners in Israeli jails are worrisome. There are 4 prisoners who have been in jail more than 30 years among 5.500 prisoners. Hundreds of prisoners are about to reach 30 years. 221 prisoners are just children. And there are 5 life imprisonments of 38 women prisoners. The chamber of the Palestinian Prisoners Association Kadura Fari said “ we expect from UN sanction decisions on Israel about these prisoner. This case is against human rights” and he added that there are a lot of cancer patients who need cure.
Laws that are planned to put into effect are also worrisome in Israel. Boycott law that requires punishment of protestors by Israel and settlements are the most notable indicators of these extreme right tendencies. Israel banned Arab member of the Knesset Zuabi’s ( who joined Mavi Marmara) acts in Knesset. According to Etiquette Council of Knesset Zuabi ignored security of Israel by joining Mavi Marmara and this act is not compatible with freedom of action. In addition to these implementations Lieberman’s party Our Home could increase votes by using a rigid discourse against to Arabs. This case makes everyone worried. Israel’s undemocratic acts are arousing great reaction both in Israel and out Israel. According to specialists it is likely that right wing extremist acts can extend to fascism. And this is a great contradiction for Israel declaring itself as the mere democracy in the region. Left wing in the country blames Netanyahu for giving rise to right wing extremist about gaining power.
Israelis Spill out into the Streets
Because of the rising up residence price and late payments to doctors leaded people to spill out into the streets. Demonstrations are held especially in Tel-Aviv. It is surprising that the majority of the participators are right wing. It means Netanyahu is losing support. Recent surveys displaying that the party in power Likud and the main opponent party Kadima have lost support. If there is an election now, their number of member of Knesset will decline four each. And Labor Party will be represented by more six members at Knesset.
On the other hand a siege mentality is getting dominant in Israel. Because Israel has been losing control power on Rafah border since Mubarak stepping down. Gaza is defying siege via Rafah Border after Egypt revolution. It is estimated by The Contractors’ Association that there are more than 14.000 new building jobs in Gaza Strip. Israel who wants to hamper this illegal building materials passing, let UN import building materials for 1200 residences and 18 schools. Despite this permission it seems that Israel wouldn’t manage to impede this material passing from Egypt to Gaza. Smugglers say “facilities are increasing in Egypt after Mubarak. We can take more materials to Gaza easily”. This circumstance also ensures to breathe Gaza where the unemployment is over 45%.
Hezbollah also recur challenge to Israel. In the previous days, anniversary of 33 Days War leader of Hezbollah Hasan Nasrallah threatened Israel during his address to nation speech. We don’t foresee any war with Israel for now but if Israel attacks, the victory will belong to us. And he added our rocket can reach beyond Haifa. According to Israeli authorities after beginning of the Arab spring weapon smuggling from Jordan to Israel increased. In the previous days two Bedouin smuggler was caught.
Yasemen Semiz (SDE Intern)