Turkish PM insists on Israeli apology

2011-07-23 15:21

Ankara - Turkey's prime minister on Saturday ruled out a normalisation of ties with Israel unless the Jewish state "officially apologises" for its deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla last year.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said relations cannot be improved unless Israel also pays compensation to the families of nine Turkish victims and lifts its embargo on Gaza. Israeli officials were not immediately available for comment.

"We did not and will not forget the massacre of our brothers," Erdogan told a meeting of Palestinian ambassadors in Istanbul that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also attending. "No belief... can justify the barbaric and cruel killing of innocent people."

Israel has insisted its soldiers acted in self-defence after being attacked by activists when they boarded the Turkish ship, Mavi Marmara. But a Turkish investigation revealed that two activists were killed before commandos boarded the ship and another died "execution-style" as he lay injured.

The commando raid sparked condemnation worldwide and led to an easing of Israel's blockade on the coastal territory. It further damaged already strained relations with Turkey, formerly one of Israel's closest allies in the region.

Erdogan has also voiced support for the recognition of a Palestinian state and accused Israel of using excessive force against the Palestinians.

The Turkish prime minister also criticised the UN and the US for turning a blind eye to Israel's "spoiled practices".

- AP