Liberman calls Turkey\’s Erdogan \’an anti-Semitic, neighborhood bully\’

 

In some of the toughest public comments in memory against Erdogan and Turkey, Liberman told a gathering of Israel\’s ambassadors to Euro-Asia that Europe\’s Ignoring the hate and incitement Erdogan cultivates toward Israel has ramifications.

 

“The silence of the lambs of cultured Europe, politically correct Europe, toward a neighborhood and anti-Semitic bully like Erdogan and his friends brings us back to the reality of the 1930s,” he said.

 

Liberman, who seemed up until now to have been trying to move toward the political center, bucked that trend during the speech, calling for the ouster of Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas, who he accused of waging “diplomatic terror” against Israel.

 

The Foreign Minister said Abbas\’ anti-Israel moves in the diplomatic arena left Israel no choice but to act strongly in response, and that the transfer of tax funds to the PA that were frozen earlier this month should not be freed up again until Abbas is removed from power.

 

Liberman said that Abbas was an obstacle to any progress, and was concerned solely about his political survival, not a Palestinian state or the fate of the Palestinian people.

 

“The only way for him to cover his weakness against Hamas and his opposition is by waging war [against Israel] in the international arena,” he said. “That is the way he diverts attention on the Palestinian street, and that is how he comes out as a hero.”

 

But, Liberman said, those moves do nothing to bring him closer to a Palestinian state.

 

Liberman said that Abbas\’ recent steps in the diplomatic arena where a crossing of all red lines, and that Israel had no choice “but to take determined actions” against him.

 

The Foreign Minister said that this time the freezing of the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority – a step taken earlier this month in response to the PA’s joining the International Criminal Court – must not just be a temporary measure, as has been the case in the past.

 

“This time it needs to be clear that the money will be not returned until he is removed from the government in Ramallah,” he said. 

 

Liberman also gave support to moves inside the US Congress calling for punitive measures against the Palestinians because of its joining the ICC, including closing the Palestinian delegation in Washington, and shutting off US funds.

 

During his comments, Liberman also attacked what he termed the rampant political correctness in Europe which he said ignored or downplays the anti-Semitism in Europe.

 

Liberman, who was in Paris on Sunday during the massive anti-terror march, said that when he watched CNN\’s coverage he was struck by its ignoring the “Jewish angle.”

 

He said that the network, when talking about the attack at the kosher grocery, did not mention it belonged to Jews, or that the hostages and victims were Jews who were killed because they were Jewish.

 

“We need to speak honestly, without shame, and put everything on the table, because the basis for the murderous anti-Semitism is Islamic extremism on the one side, and the irrational lashing out against Israel on the other,” he said.