TURKEY RATCHETED up its diplomatic offensive against Israel yesterday by announcing it was suspending defence industry ties and threatening further sanctions after Israel's refusal to apologise for the deaths of nine activists on board the Mavi Marmara14 months ago.
The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he was considering a trip to Gaza, where he would be assured of a hero’s welcome. He repeated a warning that Turkish naval vessels would step up activity in the eastern Mediterranean.
Since the release last week of the Palmer report of the UN investigation into Israel’s deadly assault on the Gaza-bound Turkish vessel, Ankara has expelled Israel’s ambassador, plunging relations between the countries to a new low.
Erdogan has also promised to lobby on behalf of the Palestinians in support of their attempts to win recognition of their state at the UN later this month.
Speaking to reporters in Ankara yesterday, Erdogan confirmed Turkey was freezing military trade ties. “Trade ties, military ties, regarding defence industry ties, we are completely suspending them,” he said. “This process will be followed by different measures.” No further details were given.
The Turkish navy would increase its patrols in the eastern Mediterranean. “From now on, Turkish warships will show themselves quite often in these waters,” Erdogan said.
The UN investigation, chaired by the former New Zealand prime minister Geoffrey Palmer, concluded that Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza was justified but it used “excessive and unreasonable” force in May 2010 to stop a flotilla of aid ships approaching the Palestinian enclave.
Its much-delayed report was published last Friday after months of delicate negotiations between the two countries on the wording of a proposed Israeli apology for the deaths of nine activists – eight Turkish citizens and a Turkish-American – and the payment of compensation to their families. Israel in the end refused to apologise, triggering fresh Turkish anger.
Israel’s ambassador and other senior diplomats in Ankara have been ordered to leave by today, and diplomatic status has been downgraded to the lowest level.
On Monday dozens of Israelis were detained at Istanbul airport in what was perceived by Israel as punitive harassment. The passengers were questioned for up to two hours, some strip-searched.
Erdogan said he planned to visit Cairo next week, and might go from there to Gaza. “We will make our final decision after consulting with our Egyptian friends. There may be a visit to Gaza or not. It is not certain,” he said.
The Turkish prime minister would be guaranteed an emotional welcome by Gazans, who see him as a champion of their cause. A visit would make Erdogan the first world leader to visit Gaza officially since Hamas took control more than four years ago.
– ( Guardianservice)