Gül warns Israel to end offensive in Gaza, calls on UN for cogent decision

ANKARA

A protester holds up a poster during an anti-Israel demonstration outside the U.N. headquarters in Manama, calling for the U.N. to intervene in the fighting in Gaza, July 17, 2014. REUTERS Photo

President Abdullah Gül has urged Israel to end its military operations on Gaza Strip, warning against “massive consequences,” and called on the U.N. Security Council to make a “cogent decision to end the Israeli offensive.”

"Particularly, this noncompliant aggression of Israel is spreading the seeds of hate throughout the whole world, not just in Palestine," Gül told reporters on July 18.  “Israeli attacks have come to a very dangerous phase. I want to warn Israel once more. If they do not stop, the outcome will be massive."

Elaborating on Israel’s accusations of Egypt and Ankara sabotaging the cease-fire plan between Israel and Palestinian groups, Gül said those accusations were “unfair.”  Ankara conducted intense diplomatic efforts to reach a truce, he said, noting such accusations are “remorselessness” against Turkey.

“I consider that those who are annoyed with Turkey’s loud voice maintain this negative stance on the Palestinian issue,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ankara called the U.N. Security Council, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and U.N. Commission on Human Rights for an emergency meeting over Israel’s ground offensive on Gaza, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said.

“We vehemently condemn the ground operation launched by Israel on Gaza last night following its inhuman murders by air strikes,” Davutoğlu announced on his Twitter account early July 18.
“Humanity’s conscience is being tested once again with the Palestinian issue,” he added.

During a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry late July 17, Davutoğlu said he explained to Kerry the “indignation in Turkey and the Islamic world over Gaza.”

“We exchanged views with the aim to immediately reach a lasting cease-fire that can be accepted by Palestinians,” he said.

“I expressed our demand for the immediate halt of Israeli attacks,” the minister said.
Davutoğlu also talked with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah and OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani late July 17.

Turkey’s discussions with Hamas and Fatah officials are also continuing, Davutoğlu said.
In a separate statement, the minister said Turkey conveyed an official proposal to open U.N. Security Council extraordinary meeting.