Turkey summons Israel envoy over IDF officer's criticism

       Turkey on Saturday called on Israel to explain remarks made by Israel Defense Forces Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrachi that questioned Turkish policies toward Kurds and Cyprus, saying ties between the Middle East allies could be at stake. The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday summoned Israeli Ambassador Gabby Levy to protest comments in Haaretz made by Mizrahi, commander of Israel's land forces. Mizrahi was quoted as saying Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan should have "looked in the mirror" before slamming President Shimon Peres last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Mizrachi also said that Turkey was not in a position to criticize Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories when it stations troops in northern Cyprus. He also accused Turkey of repressing its Kurdish minority and massacring Armenians during World War I. The Turkish military said on Saturday that Mizrachi's criticism threatened to harm relations between the two countries. It was the latest sign of tension between Turkey and Israel, who maintain close military ties but whose alliance has been strained by the Israeli offensive on Gaza. Erdogan accused Peres of "knowing very well how to kill" in a public debate last month at the World Economic Forum. The Turkish General Staff, in a statement carried by the state-run Anatolian news agency, said Mizrahi's remarks were completely unacceptable. The IDF Spokesperson's Office published a statement Saturday evening renouncing views expressed by GOC Ground Forces Command Major-General Avi Mizrahi about Turkey. (21,33)