Cicek: "Turkey wants to protect relations with Israel"

After yesterday's Cabinet meeting, government spokesperson and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek told reporters that Turkey places special importance on its relations with Israel. Stating that Turkey wants to protect its ties with Israel, Cicek added, "False and irrelevant assessments of relations between Turkey and Israel have been made." Cicek reiterated that Turkey's stance on Gaza has nothing to do with the Israeli people but the humanitarian tragedy there. Saying that Turkey is working to ensure a lasting peace and cease-fire, he added, "Turkey thinks that Palestinians' democratic choice should not be ignored and Hamas should not be excluded from the process but rather should be part of the solution." Cicek also urged Hamas to act accordingly.