Turkey says Israeli refusal to apologise for flotilla massacre will 'not be left unanswered'

Turkey has told the U.S. that Israel’s decision not to apologize or pay compensation for the deaths of nine Turkish activists in a raid on an aid ship last year will not be left unanswered. Ankara said Israel’s stance would only naturally lead to a further deterioration in bilateral ties.

Turkey’s message came on the eve of the publication of a U.N. inquiry report on the Mavi Marmara incident and just days after Israel said its decision not to issue a formal apology was firm. According to diplomatic sources, the message has been delivered to U.S. officials many times over the months, but Israel’s recent public statement about the issue made it essential to send it once again. “The Americans have been involved in this process for so long. We are sure they will be working until the last moment” to convince Israel to issue an apology, sources told the Hürriyet Daily News over the weekend.

The deadline is Aug. 23, the date when the U.N. panel will publish its report on the incident...

... Among the steps Turkey is considering to take if Israel rejects apologizing and paying compensation are downgrading diplomatic representation to the level of second secretary, suspending all political and economic relations. Furthermore, a visit to Gaza by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also considered in this context, as it would further complicate breaking Israel’s blockade on the enclave. Also, Turkey is likely to be among the countries that will strongly support Palestine’s U.N. bid. more

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