The AP (which totally reads my blog; now they have a quote from a named Israeli source, just like I suggested) brings up the thought that Turkey’s action of downgrading ties with Israel may be followed by Egypt and possibly other nations.
Turkey’s move came before the anticipated publication Friday of a U.N. report about the Israeli raid, which killed nine activists. The breakdown in ties also raised concerns that other countries, including Egypt and Jordan, may follow suit by recalling ambassadors and increase Israel’s alienation in the region.
“If this ends with Turkey, it will be a miracle,” said Alon Liel, a former Israeli ambassador to Turkey. “There is a lot of internal pressure in Egypt, and Turkey could use its clout in the Arab and Muslim world to pressure other nations to follow suit.”
I can think of two billion reasons why that won’t happen, all in American aid to Egypt. There is also aid to Jordan, and America’s goodwill is an important piece of the glue that keeps the Husseins on the Hashemite throne. The Muslim Brotherhood is starting to eye Jordan as next in the revolution. It’s too bad that Jordan is one of the most democratic kingdoms in the Middle East; I doubt the people are in the mood to overthrow the kings just yet.
But to get back to the AP media spin on the downgrade: There is not a single Israeli government source or spokesperson willing to go on record, which is incredibly stupid on Netanyahu’s part. The Israeli media isn’t quoting anyone by name, either. It’s all “sources” and “senior cabinet minister” said this and that. Jewish and Israeli bloggers have been complaining for years that Israel has the worst PR in the world. Well, it isn’t much better than it’s been. When you don’t have a statement from your official spokesperson on the downgrading of ties with a nation that was a huge trading and military partner, you are behind the news cycle. That allows the wire services to quote the Turks ad naseum (and they do). The AP quotes the Turkish president. Nobody is quoting Netanyahu, because he’s not giving anyone any quotes Here’s the Israeli quote:
Addressing the Palmer Report on the IDF raid of a Turkish ship in May 2010, state officials clarified Friday that Israel regretted the loss of life but would not apologize for its soldiers’ acts of self-defense.
“Israel, like any other country, has the legitimate right to defend its citizens and soldiers,” they stressed. “The State of Israel hopes a way will be found to overcome the disagreements, and will continue to work to achieve this goal.”
And here’s the line that has been repeated in thousands of news articles, one that Netanyahu could spin into pure platinum, if his office would only try:
Asked to comment on the U.N. report’s suggestions, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said: “To be frank, the report is null and void for us.”
Why Bibi isn’t coming out with a quote saying that the United Nations has found that Israel was well within the bounds of international law in responding to the breaking of the blockade is beyond me. He could pounce on the “null and void” phrase and point out that Turkey is the country that is acting like it is above the law, refusing to acknowledge the law of the sea that all other nations go by. Your PR sucks, Bibi. Sure, you can fund-raise with the best of them. Yes, you can get Congress to give you more standing ovations than the president. But when it comes to helping Israel get past the anti-Israel media bias, your PR sucks eggs.
Fix it.
Maybe then, the AP will write a balanced piece on Turkey downgrading ties. However, I think dropping the following paragraphs to numbers eight and nine is yet another example of the anti-Israel bias. The fact that the report clears Israel of one of the biggest charges Turkey leveled—that of Israel violating international law—merits keeping in the lead. It utterly negates the Turkish claims of legitimacy, and shows that Turkey is ignoring protocal and international treaties. Not that I expect to read an analysis of that sort in the AP. It would be lovely, but I’m sure it would cause some editors’ heads to explode. So instead, we get this information, buried in the part of the article that will get cut by tomorrow’s print edition editors:
The U.N. report on the flotilla raid, obtained by The New York Times and posted on its website, said Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is a “legitimate security measure.” But it also said Israel’s use of force against the flotilla was “excessive and unreasonable.”
An Israeli official said the report showed Israel’s naval blockade was in keeping with international law. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the report had yet to be officially released. He said Israel expected it to be made public by the U.N. later Friday.
I look forward to seeing the next update of this story. Then again, I’m going to the county fair tonight, so the AP just might get a bye.
Until tomorrow.
“Jewish and Israeli bloggers have been complaining for years that Israel has the worst PR in the world.”
Does it mean you believe me now?
I don’t recall disagreeing with you. I told the Israeli ambassador, years ago, that your PR sucks (though politely). He was at my synagogue, and one of the other members and I were trying to make him understand this. He kept referring to polls that say Americans love Israel, therefore their PR was great. They just don’t get it, still.