Turkey expels Israeli ambassador over Gaza relief flotilla assault

Turkey has expelled Israel’s ambassador and is cutting military ties with the country over its refusal to apologise for last year’s raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine people.

Turkey’s move yesterday came as the UN published a report on violence aboard the flotilla, further straining a relationship that had been a cornerstone of regional stability.

The report 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”.

Turkey has made an Israeli apology a condition of improving diplomatic 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 country by Wednesday.

He said all military agreements signed between the former allies were also being suspended. In other measures, Mr Davutoglu said Turkey would back flotilla victims families’ court actions against Israel and take steps to ensure “free navigation” in the eastern Mediterranean.

“The time has come for Israel to pay for its stance that sees it above international laws and disregards human conscience,” Mr Davutoglu said. “The first and foremost result is that Israel is going to be devoid of Turkey’s friendship”.

“As long as the Israeli government does not take the necessary steps, there will be no turning back,” the minister added.

Asked to comment on the fact that the UN report does not recommend an Israeli apology, Turkish president Abdullah Gul said: “To be frank, the report is null and void for us.”

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.

The UN report said “Turkey and Israel should resume full diplomatic relations, repairing their relationship in the interests of stability in the Middle East and international peace and security.”

Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed aboard the Turkish-flagged ship Mavi Marmara on 31 May, 2010, after passengers resisted a takeover by Israeli forces. The fatalities included eight Turks and a Turkish-American.

The collapse of Israel’s relationship with Turkey comes as it faces turmoil in ties with another long-time regional ally, Egypt, where there have been growing calls to revoke the Egypt-Israel peace agreement.

It also comes as Israel seeks international support against a Palestinian bid for recognition at the UN later this month.