ANKARA, July 15 (AFP) - Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Thursday proposed setting up a telephone hotline between Israel and Turkey to help avoid further tensions in ties between the two allies.
Turkey is Israel's only ally in the Islamic world, but relations have become strained over criticism by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Israeli actions in occupied Palestinian territory.
Erdogan characterized Israel's actions as "state terrorism," -- a remark Israel said was "extremely regrettable." Erdogan also said Israeli government actions were fanning anti-Semitisim in the world.
Erdogan turned down an invitation by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to visit Israel and Turkey temporarily withdrew its ambassador in protest.
Olmert, on a visit to Turkey for talks with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, said it was in the interests of both countries to safeguard their ties.
He added he was sure Erdogan, whom he did not meet as the Turkish leader is on holiday, would not wish to repeat his remarks about state terrorism.
"We would like to establish a direct telephone link between the two prime ministers," Olmert told the daily Sabah. He added Israel was willing to give the Turks detailed information about their policies on a daily basis.
Asked about the West Bank barrier, recently ruled to be in violation of international laws by the International Court of Justice, Olmert said it was purely defensive measure.
"The fence is a defensive mesaure, once the terror ends, the fence will be removed," he told journalists Thursday.
"The fence is reversible, death is not."