VOA慢速英语2010年-IN THE NEWS - Relations With Turkey In

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

Monday's raid on ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists¹ brought international criticism of Israel. The ships loaded with aid tried to break a three-year-old Israeli blockade of Gaza. The raid in international waters led to violence on one of the six ships. Nine activists were killed.

But Greta Berlin of the Free Gaza Movement says the efforts will continue.

GRETA BERLIN: "We like to say we are non-violent, direct-action activists. And that simply means that when there is an injustice² we will non-violently resist."

But video of Monday's raid shows that activists armed with clubs beat Israeli naval³ commandos. The military also released photos of a large number of knives that it said were on the ships.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ship Mavi Marmara carried extremists.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: "Israel regrets the loss of life. But we will never apologize for defending ourselves."

Israel has rejected demands by the United Nations for an international investigation⁴ -- and an end to the blockade. But officials say the blockade might be eased to permit more civilian⁵ goods into Gaza. One and a half million Palestinians live in the narrow strip of land where most people depend on aid.

An image taken from an Israeli naval ship showing efforts to halt the flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists in international waters Monday

The blockade followed the violent takeover of Gaza by Hamas in two thousand seven. Israel says the purpose is to keep weapons out of Gaza and to prevent rocket fire into the Jewish state.

President Obama, speaking Thursday on CNN, said he recognized Israel's security concerns. But he called the raid tragic⁶. He also expressed hope that the situation might be a chance to seek progress in the Middle East peace process.

The Cyprus-based Free Gaza Movement and a Turkish aid group known by the letters IHH organized the flotilla.

An American State Department spokesman said IHH representatives have met with top Hamas officials over the past three years. He said that was of "great concern" because the United States considers Hamas a terrorist organization.

Eight Turks and a Turkish-American died in the raid.

Crowds at the Istanbul airport early Thursday welcome Turkish activists from the flotilla who were expelled by Israel

A Turkish official said Friday that economic and defense⁷ ties with Israel will be reduced. Turkish media say the government may also seek an international criminal case against Israel.

Egypt also enforces the embargo⁸ on Gaza. Observers say Egyptian leaders are deeply suspicious of Hamas. But the Turkish government invited a Hamas leader for talks in two thousand six after the party won Gaza elections.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Israel is close to losing what he called its "best friend" in the area. For almost twenty years, Turkey has built a political and military alliance with Israel.

But lately, observers say, Prime Minister Erdogan appears to be seeking influence with Arabs at the cost of relations with Israel. Some think he might be trying to avoid long-term damage, however. They say he knows having ties with Israel gives Turkey a special voice not only in Jerusalem but also in Washington.

And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English, written by Brianna Blake with Robert Berger in Jerusalem and Dorian Jones in Istanbul. I’m Steve Ember.
 

1 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 injustice   

n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利

参考例句：

• They complained of injustice in the way they had been treated.他们抱怨受到不公平的对待。
• All his life he has been struggling against injustice.他一生都在与不公正现象作斗争。

3 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

4 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

5 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

6 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

7 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

8 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。