Secretary-General of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) Saad Katani today praised the Turkish decision to deport the Israeli ambassador over the 2010 flotilla incident on the “Marmara” ship headed for the Gaza Strip. Israel refused to apologize for killing several Turkish nationals onboard the ship, sparking a diplomatic crisis that culminated in the release of the UN-sponsored Palmer Report and the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ankara. “Turkey has set a good example for Arab states in terms of dealing with Israel and maintaining dignity,” said Katani. “The Turkish navy will strengthen its presence in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to counter Israel's bullying and Turkish vessels will accompany civilian ships carrying aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” he added. Katani also mentioned that “the blood of Arabs and Muslims is not cheap” and the sweeping change in the Arab region warrants policy shifts with regard to Israel. Katani also praised the European Union's decision to ban imports on Syrian petrol, a decision made under intensifying international pressure on Syria to halt the violence against and repression of its own citizens. “This decision will be a step toward pushing the Syrian regime to stop the violence against Syrian people and force it to respond to the legitimate demands made by Syrian demonstrators,” he added.
