By News Agencies and Haaretz Service
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received a hero’s welcome upon his return to Istanbul on Friday, a day after storming off the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, red-faced from verbally sparring with President Shimon Peres over the recent fighting in Gaza.
Upon his return to Istanbul, Erdogan told a news conference that his anger over the operation in Gaza and Peres’ remarks was directed not at Jews, but at the Israeli administration.
“Our people would have expected the same reaction from any Turkish prime minister,” he told a news conference at Ataturk airport on Friday morning after speaking to a cheering crowd.
“This was a matter of the esteem and prestige of my country. Hence, my reaction had to be clear. I could not have allowed anyone to poison the prestige and in particular the honor of my country,” he said.
“Our reproaches are not against the Israeli people or Jews. Our reproach is totally against the Israeli administration,” Erdogan said.
GAZA NEWS 