Oh really?

US Middle East special envoy George Mitchell said Thursday that predominantly Muslim Turkey's friendship with Israel gives it a unique opportunity to help achieve peace in the Middle East. Mitchell's remarks reflect the US desire to see Turkey and Israel maintain close relations despite a dispute between the two US allies after Turkey accused Israel of using excessive force in an offensive against Hamas. "As an important democratic nation with strong relations with Israel, (Turkey) has a unique role to play and can have significant influence on our efforts to promote comprehensive peace in the Middle East," Mitchell said after meeting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey has long been Israel's closest ally in the Muslim world, and has tried, along with Egypt and France, to mediate for peace in the Middle East.

Erdogan publicly called on Allah to wipe out Israel and lied about who broke the ceasefire. He tried to get Israel thrown out of the UN and urged Obama to recognize Hamas. He repeatedly lashed out at the Israeli Prime Minister. Then he triggered a once-in-a-decade diplomatic brawl by hissing at the Israeli President and stalking off the stage.

Oh - and his party published anti-Semitic incitement on their website denigrating Jews and denying the Holocaust:

An article rife with anti-Semitic commentary was removed from the website of Turkey's ruling party Friday after receiving brief exposure, the country's Hurriyet News reported. Another paper, the Radikal Gazetesi, featured printed screens proving the article had been posted on the Justice and Development Party (AKP)'s internet site under the heading: 'The Promised Land - Palestine'. In the piece, Jews were dubbed "a swarm of grasshoppers" among other derogatory terms. It also denied the Holocaust had happened.

Or, in the language of the Associated Press, he "accused Israel of using excessive force in an offensive against Hamas." Yeah, because that's what the Israelis are grumpy about.

But just so we're clear: Israeli diplomats have declared that they no longer trust Turkey to provide mediation. Israeli military officials have become particularly tired of dealing with a government and a population that demonizes them and threatens to arrest them. Erdogan himself said before and after the Israeli elections that he doesn't see any point in being a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians.

And why shouldn't he personally and politically degrade Turkish-Israeli ties? His hateful behavior at Davos elevated him to hero status among Israel-hating Turks. Also among Israel-hating Palestinians and Israel-hating Brits. Iran actually thinks he should get a Nobel Peace Prize for his shrill disrespect of a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

So naturally Mitchell thinks that Erdogan should mediate between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Of course he does.

References and previously after the jump...