Turkey Moves to Downgrade Relations with Israel over 2010 Flotilla Raid

The coffins of victims of activists who had been on board the Mavi Marmara, one of the ships in the Freedom Flotilla convoy with humanitarian aid for Gaza, are loaded onto trucks after they arrive at Ataturk Airport in Ankara, Turkey on early 03 June 2010

Turkey will downgrade diplomatic relations with Israel to the lowest level and suspend key commercial and military agreements with it over its refusal to apologize for the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla raid.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu revealed his country's measures on Friday after a UN probe into Israel's deadly raid on a 2010 flotilla to Gaza known as the Palmer Commission Report, were leaked to The New York Times Thursday

The way Israeli forces boarded the vessels trying to break that blockade 15 months ago was excessive and unreasonable, even though Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is both legal and appropriate. the report says, according to The New York Times.

"Turkey and Israel should resume full diplomatic relations, repairing their relationship in the interests of stability in the Middle East and international peace and security," the Palmer Commission Report says. However, Turkey's reaction has shown the the relations between it and Israel will be difficult to repair.

Jerusalem sources have pointed out that the report shows Israel's actions did not violate international law, Ynet has reported.

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