Vancouver Sun | 07Jun2010 | Orest Slepokura
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Israel+Palestinians+player+Turkey/3121034/story.html

Israel, Palestinians and a new player: Turkey

A major new variable has been added to the Palestine-Israel equation: Turkey, a nation of 73 million people occupying a 785,000-square kilometre land mass linking Europe and Asia, a nation with a million-man army, membership in NATO and aspirations to EU membership.

Turks, both secular and religious, moderate and extreme, aren't hiding their disaffection for Israel or their deep concern over what it is doing to Palestinians -- this, just as the Israeli leadership is conducting foreign affairs in a unilateral way, with no able, honest broker rushing to the scene to repair relations.

Did I mention that Turkey is on reasonably friendly terms with Iran?

Orest Slepokura Strathmore, Alta.