Following an Israeli commando raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara in which nine people were killed, Turkey suspended joint military exercises with Israel, recalled its ambassador from Tel-Aviv and banned Israeli military flights from Turkish airspace. The Mavi Marmara was part of a convoy attempting to break Israeli's blockade of the Gaza Strip. Turkey has also demanded that Israel the blockade in order to resume normal relations according to a report in the Toronto Star.

 

If Israel does not allow an international investigation than Turkey would be satisfied with an admission “that the raid was unjust,” Davutoglu announced.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to apologize or offer compensation to the families of those killed. According to video footage of the raid released by Israel, the soldiers only opened fire after several commandos were beaten severely by a mob of passengers wielding clubs and metal poles. Several passengers aboard the ships have been identified by Israeli authorities as members of Hamas and the Mavi Marmara itself is owned by the Turkish IHH organization which has documented ties to the Gaza based Islamist organization.

 

"Israel cannot apologize for our soldiers being forced to defend themselves against the mob that almost slaughtered them," Netanyahu said during an interview with Israel's Channel 1 on Friday, but "we are sorry over the loss of life."

 

In response to Netanyahu's remarks Davutoglu stated that “the ties will never be repaired."

 

"If Israel does not meet Ankara’s expectations, the Turkish government has drafted a road map that includes measures to be taken against the country," according to Hurriyet.