Israel must lift Gaza blockade and answer for flotilla raid, says Turkey

[bemildred]

Israel must lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip and be "held accountable" for its attack on a ship carrying aid to the Palestinian territory, Turkey's foreign minister has said.

Ahmet Davutoglu, visiting London, demanded that Israel face its legal responsibility for boarding the Mavi Marmara, an action in which eight Turks and a Turkish-American citizen were killed in international waters on 31 May.

Davutoglu did not repeat a warning earlier this week that Turkey would sever its diplomatic relations with Israel but warned of "gradual stages" of disengagement if did not respond to Ankara's demands over the "freedom flotilla" affair.

Turkey would take "any measures to protect its citizens", he said after talks with the British foreign secretary, William Hague. "We expect Israel either to apologise or to accept an international investigation. I think this is a just and fair request from Turkey. The attack took pace in international waters and there should be accountability in international law.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/israel

[OllieLotte]

1. Memo to Turkey:

The next time you send ships to break a blockade send along ships with guns. Otherwise, expect to get your a$$ kicked.

[azurnoir]

2. Discounting the importance of Turkey as an ally of Israel

has been going on for awhile and has only been ratcheted up since Turkey had the "gall" to criticize Israel over OCL, Israel seems to be declaring that it neither needs nor wants Muslim allies.