A Worse Mistake in Cameron’s "Prison Camp" Speech

The slap at Israel was bad and the failure to condemn the Gaza Hamas government even worse, but the real evil in Cameron's Ankara speech was feeding Turkish PM Erdogan's delusions of grandeur.

The slap at Israel was bad - the failure to condemn the Hamas government in Gaza even worse - but the real evil in Cameron's speech in Ankara was the way in which it fed Prime Minister Erdogan's delusions of grandeur.

"Turkey is a great NATO ally and Turkey shares our determination to fight terrorism in all its forms, whether from al-Qaeda or from the PKK."

"Which European country could have the greatest possible chance of persuading Iran to change its course on nuclear policy? Tabii ki Türkiye."

"No other country has the same potential to build understanding between Israel and the Arab world."

"But as, hopefully, we move in the coming weeks to direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians so it's Turkey that can make the case for peace and Turkey that can help to press the parties to come together, and point the way to a just and viable solution."

None of these statements are true.

Turkey is not determined to fight terrorism in all its forms, not when it is sending flotillas to support Hamas. Germany and Russia are European countries with much more important trade and strategic relationships with Iran. Egypt has much greater potential to build bridges with Israel than Turkey, a country still mistrusted by many in the Arab world it once ruled. Turkey cannot help press Israel and the Palestinians together, because Turkey has forfeited almost all its credibility with Israel by its recent behavior.

Diplomatic speeches are not delivered upon oath, and sometimes improved behavior can be elicited by flattering lies. In this case, though, flattering lies seem much more likely to create feelings of impunity - and invite yet more provocative behavior.