Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called Israel’s storming of a Turkish-led aid flotilla heading to Gaza, which resulted in the death of 19 and the injuring of dozens, a “bloody massacre.” The incident was an attack “on international law, the conscience of humanity and world peace,” Mr. Erdogan told parliamentarians in Ankara, warning that Turkey’s patience should not be tested.
“This bloody massacre by Israel on ships that were taking humanitarian aid to Gaza deserves every kind of curse,” the Prime Minister said.
The deaths and injuries occurred when Israeli naval commandos boarded a Turkish ship leading the flotilla, the Mavi Marmara, in a predawn raid. Israeli officials claim the commandos opened fire only after being attacked by the ship’s passengers.
The attack on the flotilla has led to a further worsening in the already strained relationship between Turkey and Israel, formerly close allies. Turkish politicians have warned that the incident could lead to irreversible damage to the relations.
Ankara has also called for the United Nations to investigate the incident.
