Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his disappointment over the election of a right-wing majority in Israel, stating the results of the election will result in a glum and frightening future in the region. The Turkish leader, who has been at the helm of anti-Israel statements since Operation Cast Lead, made his comments to the Reuters News Agency.

Turkey also summoned Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Gabi Levy to a meeting after Haaretz Published a comment by IDF Commander of Ground Forces Major-General Avi Mizrachi, who was quoted as saying Erdogan should “look at himself in the mirror”, in reference to darker days in Turkey’s history, the slaughter of the Armenians and oppression of the Kurds.

Officials report that Levy met with officials in Ankara, and protests were heard and the message was delivered to Jerusalem.

The Office of the IDF Spokesman released a statement that the words of the senior official are not reflective of the position of the IDF. Foreign Ministry officials add that with the release of the IDF statement, it views the matter closed.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)