Turkey's Erdogan slams Israel over "state terrorism" in Gaza aid ship

Prior to his departure from Chile for Turkey, Erdogan told reporters that Israel staged an attack on ships carrying humanitarian aid in international waters by violating the international law. Israel's Channel 10 TV said 19 passengers were killed and 36 wounded in the raid. A Turkish charity said, at least 15 people were killed, most of them Turkish nationals.

Erdogan said ships were carrying only humanitarian aid materials including medicine, bread, rise, pasta, tolls, construction materials and they were controlled under the international rules.

Turkey called on UN Security Council to hold an emergency session in regard to Israel's raid and the country would also call on NATO to convene, he said.

"This action, totally contrary to the principles of international law, is inhumane state terrorism. Nobody should think we will keep quiet in the face of this," Erdogan said.

The Turkish Primer said that the attitude Israel would assume regarding the attack on aid ships would affect and determine the upcoming process. He said people aboard the ships were detained, and Israel should free them immediately.

"This is a national issue, and we will assess what we can do," Erdogan told reporters before he left Chile for Turkey.

Erdogan said there were hundreds of resolutions the United Nations (UN) Security Council reached so far, and the stance of the European Union (EU) on Israel, which had not implemented any of those resolutions, would also be tested.

The Turkish prime minister said some countries started to call back their ambassadors in Israel, and Turkey could also take steps after making necessary assessments. 


/World Bulletin/