Turkey supported the flotilla of six ships that were stopped by Israel from bringing aid to Gaza. Nine Turkish citizens died after Israeli commandos boarded the ships ahead of an Israeli blockade. Turkish officials have since condemned Israel and called for an investigation of the incident.
"There will be a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing closer to Iran and more antagonistic to the state of Israel," Rep. Mike Pence (R-Indiana) said at a news conference Wednesday. "It will bear upon my view, and I believe the view of many members of Congress, on the state of the relationship with Turkey."
He added: "They need to understand going forward there's going to be a cost regarding the Armenian resolution."
Schiff, who introduced the resolution, started circulating a letter to colleagues charging that Turkey has become one of Iran's primary defenders and apologists.
Among his examples was Turkey's decision to join with Brazil in what he said was an attempt to frustrate months of diplomacy at the United Nations by announcing a "sham nuclear deal" with Iran.
Turkey has refused to join the international community in support of the latest round of sanctions against Iran.
"I don't want members to vote for this because they're going to punish Turkey," Schiff said. "I would like to have members vote for this because they recognize it's the right thing to do, and I think it's appropriate for them to reconsider their prior view that we should unfailingly carry out Turkey's bidding."
But Hakan Tekin, Turkish consul general in Los Angeles, referred to any recent initiatives to bolster support for the Armenian Genocide resolution as opportunistic and shortsighted.
