The tide seems to be turning against Israel. British Prime Minister David Cameron called Gaza a "prison camp" on Tuesday, a blunt description from a major western leader. He made the comments while visiting Turkey - he wanted to show his support for Turkish membership in the European Union.
"Let me also be clear that the situation in Gaza has to change. Humanitarian goods and people must be allowed to flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a "prison camp" he said.
Since Hamas took control of the territory after elections in 2006, residents of Gaza have suffered terribly under the Israeli blockade. Ron Prosor, Israel's ambassador to Britain reacted quickly to the prime minister's remark, saying that Hamas is responsible for the misery in Gaza. "The people of Gaza are the prisoners of the terrorist organization Hamas and it's the direct result of their rule and priorities" he said.
The ambasssador also raised the subject of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier taken hostage four years ago who is being held in Gaza. "We know that the prime minister would also share our grave concerns about our own prisoner in the Gaza Strip who has been held hostage there for over four years without receiving a single Red Cross visit" Proser said.
Once Turkey and Israel were close friends but not anymore - they are furious about the May 31 commando raid against the aid flotilla.
Cameron praised Turkey's unique ability to make peace between Israel and the Arab world and that Israeli action was "completely unacceptable". He told Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu that Britain experts Israel's inquiry into the raid to be "swift, transparent and and rigorous".
Cameron said "Just as Turkey is playing a pivotal role in Afghanistan, it can also do so in the Middle East. Turkey's relationships in the region, both with Israel and the Arab world, are of incalcuable value. No other country has the same potential to build understanding between Israel and the Arab world. I know that Gaza has led to real strains in Turkey's relationship with Israel but Turkey is a friend of Israel and I urge them not to give up on that friendship" and then
"But as hopefully we move in the coming weeks to direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, so it is Turkey that can make the case for peace and it's Turkey who can help press the parties to come together and point the way to a just and viable solution."
Wow, Cameron is really throwing his weight around, but then he is a conservative. I can't imagine what it would be like living in Israel - completely surrounded with the enemy who want to wipe you off the map. Can they possibly survive?
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