Ankara Will Reconsider Its Relations with Israel If Turkish Citizens Are Not Released

If Israel does not release until the evening all Turkish citizens arrested after the Israeli troops raided a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip from prisons, Ankara would reconsider its relations with this country, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was quoted as saying by CNN Turk.

Davutoglu said Israel is obliged to pay compensation to families of those killed in the capture of the international humanitarian fleet, transporting humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, by the Israeli navy.

Davutoglu accused Israel of abducting international activists who was on board of the fleet, and of grave breaches of international law, as the Israeli Special Forces acted in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

He assured that the security of the Israeli diplomats and their families, accredited to his country, will be properly provided.
Jerusalem instructed the Israeli diplomats accredited in Turkey to send their families to home amid a sharp aggravation of bilateral relations.

"Ensuring the safety of diplomats and their families is a question of honor of the state and our duty. The Israeli diplomats should not worry," said Davutoglu, adding that Israeli tourists also do not have to worry about their safety.

"Israeli tourists are our guests and we expect them here," Davutoglu said.