Ankara expels envoy, cuts military ties over Tel Aviv refusal to apologise for flotilla raid
Turkey's relations with Israel collapsed yesterday as Ankara expelled Tel Aviv's ambassador and suspended all military ties with its one-time ally over its refusal to apologise for last year's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which killed nine people. Reacting to the announcement, an Israeli diplomatic source was quoted as saying, "Israel once again expresses its regrets for the loss of human life but there will be no apology for this operation."
Turkey's decision comes on the day of the anticipated release of the UN report on violence aboard the Mavi Marmara-led six-ship flotilla.
The report, a copy of it was leaked to The New York Times which posted on its website, said Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is a "legitimate security measure." But it also said Israel's use of force against the flotilla was "excessive and unreasonable," according to the newspaper.
Turkey's relations with Israel collapsed yesterday as Ankara expelled Tel Aviv's ambassador and suspended all military ties with its one-time ally over its refusal to apologise for last year's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which killed nine people. Reacting to the announcement, an Israeli diplomatic source was quoted as saying, "Israel once again expresses its regrets for the loss of human life but there will be no apology for this operation."
Turkey's decision comes on the day of the anticipated release of the UN report on violence aboard the Mavi Marmara-led six-ship flotilla.
The report, a copy of it was leaked to The New York Times which posted on its website, said Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is a "legitimate security measure." But it also said Israel's use of force against the flotilla was "excessive and unreasonable," according to the newspaper.
- All officials above the level of second secretary will turn back to their country.
- The military agreements between Israel and Turkey are suspended.
- Turkey will challenge Israel's right to impose a blockade on Gaza before the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
- Other sanctions would include possible naval restrictions in the eastern Mediterranean as well as state backing for flotilla victims' families for legal actions against Israel.
- Eight pro-Palestinian Turkish activists and an American of Turkish descent were killed by Israeli naval commandos aboard the Turkish-flagged ship Mavi Marmara, the lead ship of the six-vessel convoy, on May 31, 2010, after passengers resisted a takeover.
- The flotilla was sailing to Gaza in an attempt to bring international attention to Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory.
- The Mavi Marmara was taking 10,000 tonnes of aid to the Gaza Strip, which has been blockaded by Israel since Hamas took over the territory in 2007.
