Islamic antisemitism even in modern, moderate, secular (for now) Turkey. “Israel rebukes Turkey over a television series,” from the BBC, January 12:
Israel has issued a stern rebuke to Turkey’s ambassador over a television series which depicts Israeli intelligence agents as baby-snatchers.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon was caught on camera urging cameramen to note the ambassador’s low seating position at a meeting on the issue.
The incident has been widely seen in Israel as an intentional humiliation.
Israel’s foreign ministry denounced the series and what it called an “unbridled attack” in comments by Turkey’s PM.
Footage of Mr Ayalon urging journalists to make clear that the ambassador was seated on a low sofa, while the Israeli officials were in much higher chairs, has been widely broadcast by the Israeli media.
He is also heard pointing out in Hebrew that “there is only one flag here” and “we are not smiling”.
One Israeli newspaper marked the height difference on the photo, and captioned it “the height of humiliation”.
‘Preaching morality’
The meeting with the ambassador, Ahmet Oguz Celikkol, was called over the fictional television series Valley of the Wolves, popular in Turkey.
It depicts Israeli intelligence operatives running operations to kidnap babies and convert them to Judaism.
Last October Israel complained over another Turkish series, which depicted Israeli soldiers killing Palestinians. In one clip, an Israeli soldier shoots dead a smiling young girl at close range….
UPDATE: Israel has apologized for its treatment of the Turkish ambassador — all right, but what about the antisemitic TV series?
