Turkey cuts Israel army ties, expels diplomats
Source: Agencies |
September 3, 2011, Saturday
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TURKEY expelled Israel's ambassador and said it is cutting military ties with Jerusalem over last year's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine people.
Turkey's move came before the anticipated publication yesterday of a United Nations report on violence aboard the Gaza-bound protest flotilla. The fatalities included eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish-American activist.
The report said Israel's blockade of Gaza is a "legitimate security measure." But it also said Israel's use of force against the flotilla was "excessive and unreasonable."
An Israeli official said the report showed Israel's actions were in keeping with international law. He said Israel hoped the two countries could now "return to the cooperation that was a cornerstone of regional stability."
Turkey has made an Israeli apology a condition for improving ties. Israeli officials say the report does not demand an Israeli apology, establishing instead that Israel should express regret and pay reparations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the government was downgrading diplomatic ties with Israel to the level of second secretary and that the ambassador and other high-level diplomats would leave the capital Ankara by Wednesday.
He said all military agreements signed between the former allies were also being suspended.
"The time has come for Israel to pay for its stance that sees it above international laws and disregards human conscience," Davutoglu said. "The first and foremost result is that Israel is going to be devoid of Turkey's friendship."
Davutoglu said the report "displayed the violence committed by the Israeli soldiers," but also criticized it for describing Israel's naval blockade as a legitimate security measure and in line with international law.
"Turkey does not recognize Israel's embargo on Gaza," Davutoglu said, adding that Turkey would take steps to have the International Court of Justice and the UN to look into its legality.
Relations between Turkey and Israel, once close, have soured in recent years as Turkey has tilted away from the West. They deteriorated sharply after the flotilla bloodshed.
Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed aboard the Turkish-flagged ship Mavi Marmara on May 31, 2010, after passengers resisted a takeover by Israeli naval commandos. The flotilla was en route to Gaza in an attempt to bring international attention to Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory. After the violence triggered an international outcry, Israel eased restrictions on goods moving into Gaza overland but left the naval blockade in place.
The UN committee established in the aftermath of the incident was made up of two international diplomats - former leaders of New Zealand and Colombia - one representative from Israel and one from Turkey.
Turkey's move came before the anticipated publication yesterday of a United Nations report on violence aboard the Gaza-bound protest flotilla. The fatalities included eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish-American activist.
The report said Israel's blockade of Gaza is a "legitimate security measure." But it also said Israel's use of force against the flotilla was "excessive and unreasonable."
An Israeli official said the report showed Israel's actions were in keeping with international law. He said Israel hoped the two countries could now "return to the cooperation that was a cornerstone of regional stability."
Turkey has made an Israeli apology a condition for improving ties. Israeli officials say the report does not demand an Israeli apology, establishing instead that Israel should express regret and pay reparations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the government was downgrading diplomatic ties with Israel to the level of second secretary and that the ambassador and other high-level diplomats would leave the capital Ankara by Wednesday.
He said all military agreements signed between the former allies were also being suspended.
"The time has come for Israel to pay for its stance that sees it above international laws and disregards human conscience," Davutoglu said. "The first and foremost result is that Israel is going to be devoid of Turkey's friendship."
Davutoglu said the report "displayed the violence committed by the Israeli soldiers," but also criticized it for describing Israel's naval blockade as a legitimate security measure and in line with international law.
"Turkey does not recognize Israel's embargo on Gaza," Davutoglu said, adding that Turkey would take steps to have the International Court of Justice and the UN to look into its legality.
Relations between Turkey and Israel, once close, have soured in recent years as Turkey has tilted away from the West. They deteriorated sharply after the flotilla bloodshed.
Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed aboard the Turkish-flagged ship Mavi Marmara on May 31, 2010, after passengers resisted a takeover by Israeli naval commandos. The flotilla was en route to Gaza in an attempt to bring international attention to Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory. After the violence triggered an international outcry, Israel eased restrictions on goods moving into Gaza overland but left the naval blockade in place.
The UN committee established in the aftermath of the incident was made up of two international diplomats - former leaders of New Zealand and Colombia - one representative from Israel and one from Turkey.
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