It appears that a statement released on Tuesday by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was a bit premature, with officials in the Prime Minister’s Office stating that while Turkey’s willingness to advance regional peace is commendable, the prime minister has not agreed that Israel is willing to permit Turkey to return to its former role.

Quoting Turkish state-run media on Tuesday, YWN-Israel reported that Erdogan is willing to return to his former role as the go-between in indirect talks between Jerusalem and Damascus.

After Turkish leaders showed their true colors following Operation Cast Lead, Israeli officials indicated Ankara has disqualified itself from serving as the go-between in the future, due to the nature of the harsh anti-Semitic statements and allegations made against Israel.

Interestingly, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is pushing the issue, announcing the “conditions are ripe” for renewed indirect talks between Israel and Syria, indicating a sharp change in attitude after labeling Israel a “murderer of innocent children” and state and military leaders guilty of “war crimes and violating international law”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)