Turkey set to review Israel ties
Source: Agencies |
June 3, 2010, Thursday
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TURKEY'S parliament called on the government yesterday to review all ties with Israel as the country prepared a huge welcome home for Turkish activists who had been detained after Israel's bloody raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
In Israel, all remaining activists from the aid ships were sent to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to be deported. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said Israel decided not to prosecute any of them, writing in an order that "keeping them here would do more damage to the country's vital interests than good."
Israel has come under harsh international condemnation after its commandos stormed a six-ship aid flotilla on Monday in international waters, setting off clashes that killed nine activists and wounded dozens. The nearly 700 activists - including 400 Turks - were trying to break the three-year-old Israeli and Egyptian naval blockade of the Gaza Strip by bringing in 10,000 tons of aid.
Israel rejects claims that Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis, saying it allows in more than enough food, medicines and supplies.
Turkish and Greek protesters were to fly home on special planes sent by their respective governments, while others from the nearly 20 nationalities on the ships were traveling on commercial flights. More than 120 activists from a dozen Muslim nations without diplomatic relations with Israel were deported to Jordan before sunrise.
The commando raid has seriously strained ties between Israel and Turkey. Turkey withdrew its ambassador, scrapped war games with Israel and demanded a United Nations Security Council meeting on the clash. Hundreds of Turks protested the raid for a third day yesterday, and Israeli diplomats' families in Ankara began packing to leave following orders from the Israeli government.
The Turkish Parliament in Ankara held a heated debate on whether to impose military and economic sanctions on Israel.
Lawmakers of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party objected to the measures, apparently anxious to avoid aggravating the situation, but eventually agreed on a declaration that was approved by a show of hands.
The lawmakers said Israel must formally apologize for the raid, pay compensation to the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
"This attack was an open violation of United Nations rules and international law," Deputy Parliament Speaker Guldal Mumcu said, reading out the declaration.
In Israel, all remaining activists from the aid ships were sent to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to be deported. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said Israel decided not to prosecute any of them, writing in an order that "keeping them here would do more damage to the country's vital interests than good."
Israel has come under harsh international condemnation after its commandos stormed a six-ship aid flotilla on Monday in international waters, setting off clashes that killed nine activists and wounded dozens. The nearly 700 activists - including 400 Turks - were trying to break the three-year-old Israeli and Egyptian naval blockade of the Gaza Strip by bringing in 10,000 tons of aid.
Israel rejects claims that Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis, saying it allows in more than enough food, medicines and supplies.
Turkish and Greek protesters were to fly home on special planes sent by their respective governments, while others from the nearly 20 nationalities on the ships were traveling on commercial flights. More than 120 activists from a dozen Muslim nations without diplomatic relations with Israel were deported to Jordan before sunrise.
The commando raid has seriously strained ties between Israel and Turkey. Turkey withdrew its ambassador, scrapped war games with Israel and demanded a United Nations Security Council meeting on the clash. Hundreds of Turks protested the raid for a third day yesterday, and Israeli diplomats' families in Ankara began packing to leave following orders from the Israeli government.
The Turkish Parliament in Ankara held a heated debate on whether to impose military and economic sanctions on Israel.
Lawmakers of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party objected to the measures, apparently anxious to avoid aggravating the situation, but eventually agreed on a declaration that was approved by a show of hands.
The lawmakers said Israel must formally apologize for the raid, pay compensation to the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
"This attack was an open violation of United Nations rules and international law," Deputy Parliament Speaker Guldal Mumcu said, reading out the declaration.
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