Israel, Turkey Seek Ways of Ending Clashes in Palestinian AreasIsraeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem met Wednesday to discuss ways of quelling bloody clashes between the Israelis and Palestinians.Speaking at a joint press conference after the talks, Cem, who is on a one-day visit to Israel, said he discussed with Ben-Aim the situation and try to see "what moderate contributions" Turkey can make to resolve the issue. Ben-Ami said the talks were aimed to find the "best ways" to improve the situation on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and to "create the conditions for better days" between the Israelis and Palestinians. The more than seven weeks of violence between Israeli forces and Palestinian protestors have left over 250 people dead, most of them Palestinians, and wounded thousands of others. The Israeli foreign minister expressed appreciation for Cem's visit at the sensitive moment after Egypt's recall of its ambassador in Tel Aviv and Jordan's decision to refrain from sending its new ambassador to Israel on Tuesday. He said the visit has "special meaning for us (the Israelis) and the Palestinians," adding that the Israelis will hold further talks with the Turkish minister, referring to a meeting between Cem and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Turkey, which has friendly ties with Israel, Arab countries and the Palestinians, can play a positive role in helping quiet down the situation, Ben-Ami said. He refused to comment on reports that Israel has asked for a delay in the start of work of the international fact-finding committee chaired by US former senator George Mitchell. Instead, he said Israel has been asking for the implementation of the Sharm el Sheikh ceasefire agreement reached with the Palestinians in mid-October. Ben-Ami also said Israel will make efforts to explain the country's position in a bid to reduce international isolation the country is now facing due to the protracted violence with the Palestinians and widespread criticism for its excessive use of force against the Palestinians. |
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