Turkish-Israeli Relations Put on Ice

Turkey showed a strong response to the report of the United Nations (UN) Investigation Commission on the raid on the Mavi Marmara vessel on 31 May 2010. The report was expected to be published tomorrow (3 September) but leaked to the press before. Thereupon, Turkey immediately reduced the level of diplomatic relations with Israel and announced to have stalled military agreements.

Nine people were killed in the raid on the ship that was carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza. The UN report on the incident stated that the Israeli commandos "used excessive force". However, the report also claimed that the Israeli commandos encountered "organized and violent resistance" on board and used force for self-protection.

The report furthermore stated that Israel had the right for a blockade of Gaza and for stopping the aid fleet.

The investigation commission was chaired by Geoffrey Palmer, former President of New Zealand. The report had actually been completed a long time ago, yet its publication had been delayed in order to provide the possibility for reaching a compromise between Turkey and Israel.

Diplomatic and military sanctions

The 105-page report seems to have fallen short of Turkey's expectations. The Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, expressed the government's discontent. He announced the withdrawal of the ambassador and that diplomatic relations with Israel were reduced to the level of second secretaries.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu declared that sanctions were going to be applied to Israel until the country would have fulfilled certain demands such as an apology to Turkey, compensation payments and lifting the embargo on Gaza.

Davutoğlu emphasized that relations with Israel were not going to normalize until these demands would be fulfilled. He announced five sanctions:

* Turkish-Israeli diplomatic relations will be reduced to the level of second secretaries. Thereupon, all officials and especially the ambassador are going to return to Turkey by Wednesday (7 September) the latest.

* All military agreements between Turkey and Israel have been suspended.

* As the country with the longest littoral on the Eastern Mediterranean coast, Turkey will take all measures considered necessary for freedom of navigation.

* Turkey does not recognize the blockade of Gaza. The country is going to provide an investigation about the embargo applied to Gaza as of 31 May 2010 to the International Court of Justice. Accordingly, initiatives will be taken to involve the UN General Assembly.

* Turkey is going to support all victims of the Israeli raid in the country and abroad to seek their rights.

President's announcement

Also the Presidency made a similarly harsh statement. President Abdullah Gül criticized "We consider the UN report as null and void". He continued, "Our determination was obviously not understood. These announcements are just the first step. From now on, we will act according to the steps taken by Israel".

15-month crisis

A flotilla of six vessels was attacked by the Israeli military in international waters 72 sea miles off the coast line on 31 May 2010. The ships were carrying tonnes of humanitarian aid for Gaza and were about to break through the blockade on Gaza. Nine people were killed in the course of the raid. (YY/VK)