Turkish MP: Turkey should take stringent measures towards Israel

"Turkey has a lot of leverages to put pressure on Israel and should use in the near future," Onur Oymen, MP, chairman of the committee on foreign affairs of the Republican People's Party said.

Relations between Turkey and Israel worsened after the Israeli Navy's attacks on the Freedom Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza on May 30-31. As a result of the attack nine people, including eight Turkish citizens were killed, 19 were injured, several people went missing.

On June 2, the Turkish parliament demanded the Government to review relations with Israel.

According Oymen, as a first step, Turkey should stop purchasing weapons from Israel, thereby weakening military cooperation between the countries that has lasted for 10 years.
 
"Turkey must reject not only planned agreements, but also current military cooperation deals. However, this does not mean that Ankara should use military force against Israel," Oymen added.

Oymen also considers it necessary to increase economic pressure on Israel.

"Ankara should exclude Israel from the large regional economic projects," Oymen said.


/Trend/