Warning to Israel as Turkish leader woos the Arab world

Turkey’s prime minister has told Arab foreign ministers that Israel has isolated itself and must “pay the price” after refusing to apologise for its raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last year, as he launched a high-profile visit that underscored his nation’s rising standing in the Arab world.

Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan was given a warm welcome yesterday on his three-day visit to Egypt, meeting its new military chief Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. During a 30-minute speech at the Arab League, he was interrupted several times by foreign ministers’ applause.

Mr Erdogan has dramatically stepped up Turkey’s influence in the Middle East as the region is swept by revolts and uprisings. At the same time, many Arabs have cheered his increasingly confrontational stance on Israel.

Angered by Israel’s refusal to apologise over the deaths on a Turkish flotilla attempting to breach a blockade of Gaza last year, Turkey suspended military ties with Israel, expelled top Israeli diplomats, pledged to support the Palestinians’ statehood bid and vowed to send the Turkish navy to escort Gaza-bound aid ships in future.

Israel “must pay the price for the crimes it committed,” Mr Erdogan said in his speech. “It [Israel] acts irresponsibly and without hesitation in smashing the human dignity and international law by carrying assaults on international convoys which carry nothing but food and toys for children.”

Such assaults, “threaten the Israeli nation,” he said. “The Israeli people have become a besieged nation.”

Mr Erdogan will also visit Tunisia and Libya this week, two other Arab countries where popular uprisings have removed autocrats.

In his speech, Mr Erdogan said Turkey offered its help to Arab nations facing turmoil but, in an apparent reference to Syria – until recently a close ally – he said some had turned down the offer.

He added: “However, we continue to insist they meet their people’s demands.”

Arab League secretary-general Nabil Elaraby introduced the Turkish prime minister saying: “All the Arab peoples appreciate what you are doing. We consider that there is a strong friendly state who is always standing on the side of justice.”

“Erdogan, Erdogan!” cheered a group of demonstrators as Mr Erdogan left the headquarters of the League later. They were calling for change in Syria, whose military is trying to stamp out a months’ long popular revolt.

Displaying a populist touch, Mr Erdogan stopped and shook demonstrators’ hands.

Syrian protester Samer Zaher, 30, said: “Erdogan has turned into an Arab hero… We have not found a leader as powerful as him addressing [Syrian president Bashar al-Assad] and asking him to quit.”

While winning over ordinary Arabs, particularly because of non-Arab Turkey’s tough line towards Israel, Mr Erdogan’s growing popularity and clout could be a headache for more cautious Arab leaders who could see their own influence wane.

“Turkey wants to play a regional role, especially when Egypt is busy with the revolution. Turkey thinks it’s best placed to play this leadership role,” said Adel Soliman, head of Cairo’s International Centre for Future and Strategic Studies.

Egypt has traditionally seen itself as the leading diplomatic player in the Arab world. But its position has been eroded by wealthy Gulf states, such as Qatar – which took a leading role in supporting the Libyan rebels – and lately overshadowed by Turkey, with its fast expanding economy.