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Israel's Defense Minister in Turkey Following Diplomatic Dispute

   Last  week,  Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister intentionally humiliated
   Turkey's ambassador over a television program unfavorable to Israel

   VOA News 17 January 2010
   Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak speaking after a meeting with his
   Austrian counterpart in Vienna, 14 Dec 2009

Photo: AP

   Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak

   Israel's  Defense  Minister  is  visiting  Turkey  in  the  wake  of a
   diplomatic  incident  that  has  strained  relations  between  the two
   counties.
   Ehud  Barak  met  with  Turkey's  Foreign  Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in
   Ankara  Sunday.   The  meeting follows a week-long dispute between the
   two  countries stemming from protests by the Israeli government over a
   Turkish television program.
   Last  week,  Israel's  Deputy  Foreign  Minister Danny Ayalon publicly
   reprimanded  Turkey's  ambassador  over  a  controversial program that
   depicted  Israeli security forces kidnapping children and shooting old
   men.
   Ayalon  seated  Turkish Ambassador Oguz Celikkol on a couch lower than
   his  own  chair,  and  would  not  shake the envoy's hand in televised
   images  of  the  meeting.  Ayalon explained to viewers the humiliation
   was intentional.
   The  Israeli  official later apologized, but the incident put a severe
   strain  on  relations between the countries.  Turkey has threatened to
   recall Ambassador Celikkol.
   Barak's  trip  to  Turkey  was scheduled before the incident.  But his
   visit  is  attracting  much  attention  because  of its timing and the
   apparent role he will have in trying to mend relations between the two
   countries.
   Turkey  and  Israel  have  cooperated  closely  on military issues for
   years.   However,  Israel's military operations in Gaza last year have
   drawn heavy criticism from Turkish leaders.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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