Israeli flotilla raid triggers sharp response from Turkey

Turkey attacked Israel during an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Tuesday. Closed negotiations lasted for 12 hours and resulted in a statement that called for an impartial investigation into the attack.

Reuters

The flotilla set sail from Turkey and carried many Turkish nationals. At least four Turkish nationals were killed, and others are in Israeli custody. The Turkish government said it was sending three ambulance planes to Israel to bring home 20 citizens who were wounded.

"We have every confidence that Israel can conduct a credible and impartial and transparent, prompt, investigation internally," Alejandro Wolff, the deputy permanent US representative, said.

But Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu criticised the Israeli move.

"This convoy did not carry anything which may harm anyone," he said. "This is against the basic values of the United Nations, and this shows clearly that Israel thinks that they are beyond the law."

Ankara immediately withdrew its ambassador to Tel Aviv and scrapped three joint military exercises with Israel. Reports in the Turkish media claim that relations between the two countries are now beyond repair.

Correspondent Nicole Pope in Istanbul says if this were true, Israel would lose more than Turkey.

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Correspondent Nicole Pope, Istanbul

Judith Prescott

"A part of the reason that Turkey feels a lot stronger is that there is the sense that Turkey is a rapidly emerging power in the world and especially in the region," she said. "Since Turkey has become very vocal in its criticism of Israel, its standing in the Middle East and in the broader Muslim world has increased tremendously."

She said Israel is more isolated, so has more to lose.

Israel says the activists on the ship created the confrontation by attacking the soldiers as they boarded the vessel.

It has warned that it will prevent all aid ships from reaching Gaza.

The activists say they will make a new attempt to defy the blockade of Gaza that has been going on for the past three years.

Meanwhile, French Prime Minister François Fillon told the National Assembly Tuesday that France had demanded the immediate release of its civilians held by Israel.