Report: Turkey Mulls Suspending “Israel” Ties over Gaza Flotilla

The Turkish government is discussing ways to punish "Israel" for its raid last month on the Gaza-bound ship that left nine Turkish activists dead, according to a report published Tuesday in the newspaper Haber Turk.

According to the report, Turkey is considering the possibility of suspending diplomatic ties with "Israel", although senior Foreign Ministry officials said Tuesday that they have yet to receive any such information from official sources.

The report also said that Turkish government officials focused heavily on frayed ties with "Israel" during a meeting on Tuesday, in which there were repeated calls for an international inquiry into the incident as well as demands for an official "Israeli" apology. Some lawmakers also suggested leveling sanctions against "Israel".

Turkey recalled its ambassador in the wake of "Israel's" raid on the Mavi Marmara ship on May 31. While a new envoy was meant to arrive in "Israel", Ankara has thus far not dispatched an ambassador.

The Haber Turk report also said that some officials suggested requiring "Israeli" tourists to enter the country with visas, which are currently not required.

Other Turkish officials suggested forbidding "Israeli" ships from docking at Turkish ports and even suspending naval cooperation between the two countries.

Steps taken by Turkey may also include canceling cooperation in civil matters including education, culture, sports and agreements related to economic and trade cooperation.