Turkey - Israel Military Cooperation
Istanbul- Burcu Sul (22) student: At a time when Palestinians are being killed and buried in mass graves, this tank contract would lead to even more criticism. If you ask me, investing in weapons is altogether
unreasonable.
Siirt- Sedat Akay (32), teacher: The contract should be delayed instead of being canceled. Relations between countries should not be based on emotions. However, Turkey could have upgraded the tanks itself, instead of awarding the contract to a bankrupt firm..
Istanbul- Ibrahim Gokmen (21), student: It wouldn't be wise for the government to cancel a deal it signed earlier. For our own interest, we have to avoid hurting our relations with powerful countries.
Siirt- Ali Bozan (45) worker: Let alone a contract, Israel shouldn't be awarded a single needle. But Turkey wouldn't ruin its relations with Israel.
Istanbul- Gul Corluoglu (60), kitchen worker: What difference would it make if I said "Cancel the deal!"? It is wrong to invest in tanks when our economy is doing so badly.
Istanbul- Sancar Kulaksiz (27), security guard: Turkey cannot cancel the contract because it is a country of strategic importance. Instead of canceling the contract, Turkey can impose diplomatic sanctions on
Israel.
Siirt- Cevdet Nakipoglu (50), school headmaster: The contract should be canceled to express our reproach against Israel's inhumane attitude. However, we cannot halt all our relations with Israel.
Istanbul- Hayati Kandas (47), self-employed: I am against all military spending. The tank contract should be canceled. If Turkey doesn't cancel the deal, it will be faced with harsh criticism.
Siirt- Recep Simsek (42), manager: Some thinking has to be done before canceling the contract. We have to wait and see how things are developing in Israel and act accordingly.
Istanbul- Ali Sarpkaya (61), clerk: This tank contract awarded by an overwhelmingly Muslim country, means financially supporting Israel in killing Muslims.
Istanbul- Gokcer Sen (21), student: The contract was awarded to a bankrupt firm for twice its value. With this contract, Turkey is unfortunately tolerating the violence against Palestinians.
Istanbul- Burcu Anis (27), self-employed: It's one thing to sign a deal, another to support a war. It would be wrong to cancel the contract just to look good to the Arabs.
Siirt- Enis Emrah (27), curtain-maker: Israel has attacked a Muslim community. Turkey should defend Palestine and cancel the contract.
Istanbul- Arzu Cavusoglu (18), saleswoman: The government should spend on education or healthcare instead of investing in upgrading the tanks. That would make people happier.
Istanbul- Ali Ünal (40), scrap-dealer: Instead of investing in war, the government should invest in creating jobs for the people. The tank contract means giving Israel money.
Istanbul- Şükrü Şanver (44), shopkeeper: If our leaders were true Muslims and lived up to religious standards, they wouldn't have signed a deal with a state that kills Palestinians. This government would do anything to please the United States.
Istanbul- Melih Uçer (23), bartender: The tank contract was awarded to Israel because of military considerations. The war in Palestine will go on no matter what we do.
Istanbul- Adil Acar (45), writer: Awarding a contract to Israel and supporting Israel financially will help the war go on. There are so many fields the government could invest in, other than tanks.