TURKEY: WALKING BACK THE GAZA RHETORIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000176

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: WALKING BACK THE GAZA RHETORIC

REF: A. ANKARA 86

B. ISTANBUL 38

Classified By: POL Counselor Daniel O'Grady for reasons 1.4(b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Erdogan has begun to modify
his politically charged Gaza rhetoric, responding to growing
concerns in the Turkish Jewish community, moderate Arab
capitals, American Jewish groups, and among GOT officials.
Since Davos, Erdogan has repeatedly emphasized that his
statements are directed at the GOI, and not Israeli citizens
or Jews. President Gul, FM Babacan, and GOT Spokesman Cicek
have repeated his message. Taking actions to address Turkish
Jewish Community concerns about growing anti-Semitism,
Diyanet President Bardakoglu instructed his staff to prepare
a February 6 sermon to be delivered at mosques throughout the
country, emphasizing respect for all citizens. The Jewish
community remains leery of the effect recent actions will
have on reducing what they and other human rights groups view
to be a persistent increase in tensions against Jews.
Nevertheless, Erdogan's change in tone reflects a cognizant
understanding of the impact of his rhetoric and a decision to
walk back some of his more inflammatory statements. End
summary.

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GOT's Pre-Davos Overtures
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2. (C) Prior to the Davos fallout, GOT leaders had already
begun efforts to reconcile Erdogan's Gaza rhetoric (ref A).
During a January 12 press conference, GOT Spokesman and
Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek underscored that Ankara was
not considering any retaliatory actions against Israel,
including suspending military or diplomatic ties. He added,
"While there have been ups and downs in the political
relationship...ties are not to be affected because of the
depth of the relationship, which serves Turkey's strategic
interest." Speaking to a more international audience, FM
Babacan repeated the message at the January 26 European Union
Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels. Babacan reportedly
called upon Hamas to use peaceful means to achieve its aims
rather than an armed struggle. He noted that while its role
cannot be denied, "Hamas has made mistakes that we do not
approve of." Nevertheless, both Cicek and Babacan were
careful to state that Turkey has not changed its policy,
specifically emphasizing that Hamas should be included in the
political process. Babacan has repeatedly reiterated PM
Erdogan's statement that anti-Semitism is a crime against
humanity. Retired Ambassador to the U.S. and former director
of the Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies (ASAM) Faruk
Logoglu commented to us that Babacan's actions in Brussels
greatly reflected the MFA bureaucracy's attempt to try to
walk back PM Erdogan's destructive statements.

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GOT Addresses Charges of Anti-Semitism
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3. (U) Upon returning from Davos, Erdogan defended his
actions, but was careful to draw a distinction between
criticizing Peres and the Israeli government's actions versus
the Jewish people. He told an Istanbul audience January 30
that his statements in Davos were made to protect the honor
of the Turkish Republic, noting that, "those who have always
been scared of their own shadows may find it difficult to
understand." He rebuffed charges that the GOT had inflamed
anti-Semitic sentiment. Erdogan clarified that the GOT had
criticized the Israeli administration's practices in Gaza but
had never directed his rhetoric toward the Israeli people or
Jews in general.


4. (U) In his February 3 address to AKP's parliamentary
group, Erdogan laid blame on the debate moderator David
IGNATIUS for refusing to grant Erdogan sufficient time to
respond to Peres and for "putting his hand on the shoulder of
a prime minister." Erdogan said it was incorrect to
interpret Turkey's criticism of Israel's military offensive
into Gaza as anti-Semitic, adding, "There has never been
anti-Semitism in the history of this country. The people
have never seen the Jews as enemies. I believe we will not
see such attitudes in the future." Turkey had been

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highlighting the "human tragedy" in Gaza, and "being a
mediator between the two countries does not prevent us from
speaking the truth." Following the meeting, GOT Spokesman
Cemil Cicek reiterated to reporters that Turkey attaches
great significance to bilateral relations with Israel.
Despite the "ungrounded and biased" assessment about
Turkey-Israel relations following Erdogan's walkout in Davos,
the Turkish government wants to protest its ties with Israel.


5. (U) President Gul assumed a more tempered tone than the
PM's throughout the Gaza crisis, causing some media to
speculate about a rift between Gul and Erdogan over the
issue. While publicly calling on the GOI to halt its actions
in Gaza, Gul stressed the negative impact of the events on
regional stability. He also telephoned an Istanbul Jewish
Community leader to convey his concern and support in
response to reports of anti-Semitism. On February 3, Gul
repeated his call for tolerance at an Istanbul press
conference en route to Saudi Arabia. He stated, "Turkish
Jews are equal citizens of Turkey. They can be elected
lawmakers and president." He warned the public not to turn
the criticism of Israeli policy into an anti-Semitic
campaign, stating, "Do not discriminate. Everyone has equal
rights." Gul also defended Turkey's policy of recognizing
Hamas as a legitimate interlocutor. "Hamas must be involved
in the political process. Some say this openly and some
during our private meetings. Turkey has acted responsibly
from the very beginning, meeting with Hamas only after they
won 2006 elections, and warning them about the consequences
of taking the wrong path."


6. (SBU) The GOT is also taking steps to manage the message
at the community level. Directorate of Religious Affairs
(Diyanet) Vice President Mehmet Gormez told us February 4
that Diyanet President Ali Bardakoglu called Istanbul Jewish
Community President Silvyo Ovayda to reassure him that he
will take the actions necessary to prevent public emotions
over the Gaza crisis from morphing into actions directed
against Jews. Gormez said the Diyanet has prepared a
February 6 sermon to be delivered throughout Turkey, urging
people to act with "common sense" and respect for all
persons. Istanbul Mufti Cagrici reportedly directed all
sub-provincial muftis, imams, and preachers not to say "a
single word that would agitate the society."

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Opposition: Erdogan Playing Politics
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7. (U) CHP leader Deniz Baykal told his parliamentary group
that Erdogan had orchestrated the Davos walk-out for domestic
political ends. Baykal criticized the government's attempts
to mediate, stating, "Turkey cannot obtain a benefit by
adopting a pro-Hamas stance. Turkey should not take sides or
enter into a conflict with Israel." MHP leader Devlet
Bahceli, in a February 3 closed parliamentary group session,
reportedly told his deputies that Erdogan was using the Davos
incident as a tool to attract more votes in local elections.
"It seems Erdogan played the victim and exploited the
public's feelings for gain."

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Liberals Fear More Than Anti-Semitism
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8. (C) Human Rights attorney Orhan Kemal Cengiz told us that
the problem is less an attitude of outright anti-Semitism
than "a Turkish mentality that can be very racist without
realizing it." PM Erdogan's remarks had been political
blustering but the Turkish press, in particular
Islamist-leaning "Vakit" and "Zaman" had been running
headlines, photos, and stories that brought to the fore
Turks' intolerance. Cengiz, the lead attorney for the
victims' families in the Malatya murders trial, told us he
has seen very similar attacks against Turkish Christians, and
a persistent bias against Christians and other non-Turks. He
believes the Turkish leadership made "correct" statements
following the Malatya murders, the Hrant Dink murder, and
following Davos. However, the GOT failed to follow through
by taking tangible steps such as attending a funeral for any
of the Malatya victims, attending the Dink funeral, or
visiting the Jewish Community or a synagogue to condemn

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recent anti-Semitic incidents.


9. (C) Professor Baskin Oran told us January 30 that
Erdogan's walk out and continuing rhetoric "did not serve
Turkey well" because they are fueling hostility against all
non-Muslims. Oran contended that this anti-Muslim sentiment
has its roots in the Ottoman "millet system," by which
non-Muslims were treated as second-class citizens. Oran
stressed that the military and Turkish state were the most
culpable throughout Turkish history in stoking antipathy
toward Greeks, Armenians, Kurds, Jews, and other non-Muslims.

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Comment
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10. (C) Astutely positioning his party for March local
elections, PM Erdogan was quick to accept the hero's welcome
and popular boost he received upon returning from Davos.
However, facing mounting concern from the GOI, moderate Arab
capitals, the American Jewish community, and his own GOT
officials, who had already started the daunting task of
whitewashing Erdogan's politically charged rhetoric prior to
Davos, the PM appears to have gotten the message. He has
tempered his comments and carefully clarifying that his
criticisms were directed at the Israeli government and not
its citizens or Jews. The Jewish Community remains leery
that the GOT's remarks are mere window-dressing. Community
officials report that no local political leaders have stepped
forward to condemn anti-Semitic acts, while public
prosecutors ignore legal provisions that would allow them to
investigate and prosecute anti-Semitic statements. Clearly
the GOT needs to be more cognizant about how its actions (or
lack thereof) and messages reverberate among Turkish society.
The Diyanet's actions are a positive step toward trying to
generate an attitude change where it counts: on the streets
and at the local level.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
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Jeffrey