Israel reiterated Monday in a diplomatic note it delivered to Turkey that an Israeli general's harsh remarks relating to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan do not represent the official position of the Jewish state.
The note issued in response to a Turkish diplomatic note concerning the remarks made by Israeli Land Forces Commander Avi Mizrahi, reiterated the position delivered in a statement made by an Israeli army spokesman on Feb. 14, Israeli sources told Anatolian Agency.
In the note, Israel emphasized the importance of relations between the two countries, the sources added.
Mizrahi said earlier this month that Erdogan, who severely criticized Israel's military campaign in Gaza, "should first look in the mirror", and accused Turkey of "committing a massacre of Armenians, as well as suppression of the Kurds".
After Mizrahi's remarks, Turkey summoned the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and handed a note of protest demanding clarification, while the military denounced them as "excessive, unfortunate and unacceptable".
The Israeli army chief telephoned his Turkish counterpart last week to apologize for Mizrahi's harsh remarks in an effort to prevent a deterioration in military relations with Turkey. Israel's Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi also sent an official letter to the Turkish General Staff regarding the issue. |
