Israeli Security Cebinet Member: We don't mean to shame Turkey

Isaac Herzog, a member of Israel's Security Cabinet, yesterday participated in a teleconference at Israel's Ankara Embassy about the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Asked about Turkey's disappointment with Israel over the attacks in the wake of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's visit to Ankara, and whether Israel would be able to regain Turkey's trust, Herzog said, "We see Turkey as Israel's strategic friend, and we trust in Turkey, which is an important and honest actor in the region." The Syria issue was discussed during Olmert's meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week, he added. "The Gaza issue was discussed outside the meeting," he said. "We don't intend to shame Premier Erdogan or the Turkish government. We just want to protect our citizens. Turkey, which has suffered greatly from terrorism, understands the fight against terrorism. We did the same as your government has done to protect its people from terrorism. We can understand Erdogan's anger. We'll regain Turkey's confidence. The trust and strategic understanding between our countries are very deep. I am confident that our relationship will improve."