Turkey Threatens Diplomatic Action Pending Israel Apology For Gaza Flotilla Raid

[Purveyor]

The Turkish government has formulated a back-up plan that it has threatened to execute should Israel continue to refuse to apologize for the commando raid that killed nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists aboard the Gaza-bound ship Mavi Marmara in May 2010.

This plan includes further downgrading relations with Israel which are already on shaky grounds, according to a report on Monday in the Turkish paper Hurriyet Daily News.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled the plan on Saturday at a press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Marouf Bakhit. The Turkish newspaper reported that one of the steps Turkey would take if Israel does not issue and apology is downgrade its diplomatic representation in Tel Aviv.

There has been no Turkish ambassador in Tel Aviv for over a year. The former ambassador, Ahmet Oguz Celikkol, asked to leave Israel in April 2010 after a humiliating meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon. The Turkish foreign ministry appointed diplomat Kerim Uras as a replacement, but his posting was delayed following the flotilla events in May 2010.

MORE...

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/turkey-threatens-diplomatic-action-pending-israel-apology-for-gaza-flotilla-raid-1.375164

[bemildred]

1. The old carrot and stick routine to encourage the balky mule. nt