Ankara, June 03: Turkey’s ties with Israel suffered “irreparable” damage and “will never be the same” after the deadly raid on aid ships bound for Gaza, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Thursday.
“From now on, Turkish-Israeli ties will never be the same. This incident has left an irreparable and deep scar” on relations, he said in televised remarks.
Gul added that Monday’s attack by Israeli forces, in which eight Turks and a US national of Turkish origin were killed, “is not an issue that can be forgotten… or be covered up.”
“Israel has made the biggest mistake in its history. It will realize this better in the future. Turkey will never forgive this attack,” he said.
The bodies of the nine victims were brought to Turkey early Thursday along with more than 450 activists and 19 wounded deported by Israel after being captured in the raid.
Turkey’s Anatolia news agency reported that the victims were shot dead after forensic experts found bullet marks on their bodies.
Turkey has already recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv and scrapped joint war games with Israel in an angry response to the attack.
–Agencies