By Anees Barghouthy
JERUSALEM
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Tuesday accused Turkey and Qatar of supporting "terrorism" by providing support for Palestinian group Hamas.
"The international community allows nations to support terrorism while remaining full members of the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as in Turkey's case," Ya'alon said at an international conference organized by Israel's Institute for Counter-terrorism in Herzliya.
He asserted that the headquarters of Hamas' overseas operations was in Istanbul, where senior Hamas leader Salah Aruri is currently based.
"When we talk about the war on terror, it starts with whether we're choosing to ignore this kind of phenomenon, countries which sponsor terrorism and terrorist activity without hiding it," Ya'alon said.
Ya'alon added that Israel was ready to contribute to any international counter-terrorism initiatives.
The minister went on to lash out at international criticisms of Israel's recent 51-day military onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
"Hamas uses an international campaign against us. The international community should instead rally to condemn Hamas and those who help it," Ya'alon said.
Israel recently pounded the Gaza Strip for 51 days from air, land and sea, leaving at least 2,152 Palestinians dead and nearly 11,000 injured – the vast majority of them civilians.
The onslaught also destroyed – partially or completely – thousands of residential structures across the blockaded coastal enclave.
Over the same period, at least 72 Israelis – 67 soldiers and five civilians – were killed.
Israel's offensive, launched with the stated aim of halting rocket fire from Gaza, finally ended with the announcement on August 26 of an open-ended cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions.
Former Israeli President Shimon Peres, meanwhile, echoed Ya'alon's accusations against Turkey and Qatar.
"Tough economic sanctions should be imposed against Qatar and Turkey because of their support for terror," he said.
Peres went on to praise Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for being a "partner for peace" and taking what he called a "vocal stance" against Hamas.
Earlier this week, Abbas lashed out at Hamas, threatening to reverse a recent reconciliation deal with the Islamist movement if the latter's de facto political control over Gaza persisted.
Founded in 1996, Israel's International Institute for Counter-terrorism hosts organizations and experts – from the U.S., the E.U. and Israel – specialized in counter-terrorism.
www.aa.com.tr/en
