ISRAEL SCALES DOWN DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN TURKEY

Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara (Images: AA)

Ankara, 20 Ramadan 1435/18 July 2014 (MINA) – Israel has scaled down its diplomatic presence in Ankara following angry demonstrations outside its diplomatic missions in Turkey due to its ongoing military onslaught on the Gaza Strip, in which at least 264 Palestinians – mostly civilians – have been killed so far.

Following the clashes, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statement that he had ordered the recall of the families of Israeli diplomats based in Ankara and Istanbul, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Lieberman went on to blame Turkish security officials for “not taking action” to prevent the violence, holding Turkey responsible for the well-being of foreign diplomats stationed there.

Early Friday, protests broke out in several Turkish cities to protest Israel’s ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip, which has left at least 264 Palestinians dead – and more than 1970 others injured, many seriously – since it began on July 7.

Turkish prime minister and presidential hopeful Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey’s relations with Israel will not return to their normal status so long as Israel continues its aggression on Palestinian territories.

Erdogan accused Israel of “dishonesty” and of reneging on its promises, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reported.

“Israel apologised to Turkey for what it did to the Mavi Marmara ship four years ago, and we were close to restoring normal relations with it if our conditions were fulfilled. But it was not honest,” Erdogan said. (T/P09/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)