Reply #4: Yes, a rift between Israel and Turkey in the region would be bad!

[cascadiance]

Jewish folks in Israel have had decent relations with Turkey back since the times of Attaturk before World War II, when he gave safe haven to many Jewish scientists/intellectuals from Germany in exchange for their help in building up a well educated Democratic Turkish state. It would be a shame to rip that all apart, which might be happening now.

The Kurds shouldn't be forced into a state where they've faced the historical discrimination that they've faced, but they also have to recognize that to do so, they need to be more of a participant in building stable relationships with other ethnic groups of the region, not remain hostile to them and demanding their own state in the process. That may or may not be as part of the existing nation states in the region, but what they are brewing now is destabilizing. Turkomans and other minorities in their regions should also have fair treatment too, or else the Kurds' cause is made to look hollow. Maybe a visit from Nelson Mandela or his government folks might help them sort out their priorities.