ANKARA – Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan saw “grounds for war” with Israel last year after a deadly raid on a Turkish ship headed for Gaza, according to a transcript of a recent interview. State news agency Anatolia released what it said was an original Turkish-language transcript of an interview Mr Erdogan gave to al-Jazeera television last week.
Among previously unpublished elements, Mr Erdogan said Israel’s raid in May 2010 on a Turkish ship headed for Gaza, in which nine Turks were killed, would have justified going to war. “The attack that took place in international waters did not comply with any international law. In fact, it was grounds for war. However, befitting Turkey’s greatness, we decided to act with patience,” he said. – (Reuters)