7 Jul 2010

Turkey threatens diplomatic break with Israel

8:07 am on 7 July 2010

Turkey is threatening to break diplomatic ties with Israel over its raid on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza in May.

Turkey's foreign minister says Israel must apologise for the raid, in which nine Turks were killed, or accept the outcome of an international inquiry.

However, the Israeli government says it has nothing to apologise for.

Until recently, Turkey was Israel's most important Muslim ally.

Ankara withdrew its ambassador and curtailed diplomatic relations with Israel after the naval raid, in which nine Turks were killed.

Turkey wants Israel to issue an apology, agree to a United Nations inquiry and pay compensation.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Hurriyet newspaper: "[The Israelis] will either apologise or acknowledge an international, impartial inquiry and its conclusion. Otherwise, our diplomatic ties will be cut off."

He also said there was now a blanket ban in place on all Israeli military aircraft using Turkish airspace, not just on a case-by-case basis.

Gaza aid details announced

Israel has announced details of an easing of its blockade on goods entering the Gaza Strip.

Consumer goods are being allowed but a "black list" of items, including weapons and materials with a possible military use, such as building materials, will be barred or limited.

The announcement came on the eve of a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States.