Turkey accuses Israel of genocide

Anti-Israeli protests have put pressure on Mr Ecevit

By Jonny Dymond BBC correspondent in Istanbul

The Prime Minister of Turkey - Israel's longstanding and sole Muslim ally - has accused the country of genocide against the Palestinians.

A genocide is being carried out against the Palestinians before the eyes of the whole world

Bulent Ecevit
Turkish Prime Minister

Bulent Ecevit made the denunciation as he was addressing his political base, the Democratic Left Party.

Turkey has enjoyed strong military and trading relations with Israel.

But the government has also long pressed for Palestinian rights.

Warning

On Tuesday, Mr Ecevit rejected a call from opposition parties to cancel a tank modernisation contract that Turkey had awarded an Israeli company.

His foreign minister then described the ongoing violence as a joint suicide pact.

But Wednesday and Thursday brought fresh pressure as the political mood in Turkey turned sharply against Israel.

There have been screaming headlines and growing demonstrations in Ankara and Istanbul.

Mr Ecevit told his party on Thursday that genocide was being committed against the Palestinians and that the administration of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had chosen the path of occupation and war.

He also warned the US that the Bush administration's inactivity was playing into the hands of radical Islamic groups.

Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, he said, will have a field day.