Turkey: No relations with Israel before Gaza siege is lifted

Turkish Ambassador to Amman Sedat Önal yesterday reiterated that there will be no restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel without the siege on the Gaza Strip being lifted, the Anadolu Agency reported.

“Turkey supports the Palestinian cause and the establishment of a Palestinian state, but [one of] its conditions to restore relations with Israel is to lift the siege on Gaza,” he said.

In May 2010, Israeli commandoes assaulted the Freedom Flotilla, which included the Turkish Mavi Marmara, on its way to break the Israeli siege on Gaza.

Ten Turks were killed during the assault and Turkey severed its diplomatic relations with Israel demanding an apology, compensation for the victims’ families and lifting the siege on Gaza.

See also:

• Israel faces ‘no reconciliation’ if Turkey insists on Gaza siege to be lifted
• Turkey demands end of Gaza blockade to reconcile relations with Israel
• Turkey: No relations with Israel before Gaza siege is lifted
• Siege deprives Gaza parkour team of international competition.