Turkish protesters try to storm Israeli consulate

Mon, 31 May 2010 04:58:22 GMT

Turkey has summoned the Israeli ambassador to the country over a deadly strike by Israeli navy on a Turkish-sponsored humanitarian Gaza aid convoy.

Israeli envoy to Istanbul Gabby Levy was summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry on Monday after Israeli forces stormed a Turkish aid ship.

"We will convey our reaction in the strongest terms," AFP quoted a Turkish diplomat as saying on condition of anonymity.

Turkey's foreign ministry later released a written statement and strongly condemned the "inhumane practices of Israel."

"This deplorable incident, which took place in open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may lead to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations," AFP quoted the statement as further warning.

The aid convoy co-organized by the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) was intercepted in international waters, more than 150km (90 miles) off the coast of Gaza.

At least 10 people were said to have been killed in the attack and more than 50 others were injured. Israeli soldiers also detained activists accompanying Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

Carrying 10,000 tons of supplies and accompanied by hundreds of politicians, activists and journalists, the aid mission intended to break Israel's crippling siege on Gaza, where 1.5 million impoverished Palestinians are facing a humanitarian crisis.


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