August 18, 2008
"Instead of adopting a resolute stance against terrorism, the Kadima-Labor government continues to release hundreds of prisoners in return for nothing,"
—Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, August 18, 2008
  • "In an expedited process Israel should now announce an organized plan to release prisoners as part of the diplomatic track with Abbas. The announcement alone and a real move toward implementing such a plan would immediately boost Abbas’ popularity ... Initiating a plan, rather than responding to terrorists demands and strong internal public pressure, would start a process in which each side—Israel, the PA and the international community—assumes responsibility. If we don’t plan the next step ahead of time, we might find ourselves in the same situation again."
    —Lt. General (Ret.) Orit Adato, former commissioner of the Israeli Prison Service; first international vice president, International Correction and Prison Association (ICPA), June 26, 2008. Interview with Middle East Bulletin.


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    03/11/10
    First Reactions  —
    03/09/10
    Understanding Ankara  —Morton Abramowitz, former U.S. ambassador to Turkey (1989-91); senior fellow, Century Foundation. Interview with Middle East Bulletin.
    03/04/10
    A Preview of the Elections  —

    Setting the Record Straight

    Turkey-Israel Ties Stronger than Public Denunciations

    “The contours of the new Turkish foreign policy indicate a propensity to distance itself from the West and a quest for enhanced relations with Muslim countries, particularly those located along Turkey’s borders. One clear manifestation of this new policy is the current tensions between Turkey and Israel.”
    —Efraim Inbar, director, Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies, article, “Israeli-Turkish Tensions and Beyond,” Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, February 2010versus
  • “Turkey cannot afford to alienate Israel totally either. The ambitions of its foreign policy necessitate that it maintain good and credible relations with all the parties in the region. Neither should it lose its way in intra-Arab squabbles or render its foreign policy hostage to the, at times, delirious reactions of an excitable public. Just as Israel should not allow its current foreign minister’s world view and personality get in the way of safeguarding a critical strategic relation.”
    —Soli Özel, professor of international relations and political science, Istanbul Bilgi University, analysis, “Turkey-Israel Relations: Where to Next?” The German Marshal Fund of the United States, Turkey Series, March 3, 2010
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