David Cameron pleased his coalition partners in the Liberal Democratic party when he strongly condemned Israel over the Gaza prison. Here are some reasons why he could use quite a strong language. The United Kingdom is angry with Israel due to the falsified passports and many Britons still remember the Gaza massacres. That is why Cameron is not risking his popularity, even though there are always some pro-Israeli observers criticising his language. But all in all, he did not risk much. Israel is now in a diplomatic defensive, because other states see that even Washington can not do much.

Like the North Korea lost its bargaining chip when it ruled out stopping its nuclear programme, everybody sees there is nothing the world diplomacy can do with Israel over the Palestinian issue. Cameron knows nothing is going to change because of his comments but what he can win is some trade concessions with Ankara. The priority of his foreign policy are, now more than ever due to the crisis, trade relations, especially with the developing countries where the potential for the growth is bigger. That is why he calls this period the Golden age of Anglo-Turkish relations and criticises the French and German stubbornness regarding the Turkish accession to the European Union.

The Gaza comments were clever. The people are happy, the Liberal democrats look truly liberal in this coalition, Ankara is happy and ready to sign the contract and Israel showed so many times before that such a strong statements can not harm it.

Milan Sebo

PHOTO: ISIFA