Turkey’s prime minister has shelved 16 bilateral agreements with Israel, the Turkish daily Zaman reported.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan suspended the defense agreements, citing Israel’s failure to apologize or offer compensation for the deaths of nine Turks aboard the Mavi Marmara ship on May 31, when Israel intercepted the Gaza-bound cargo ship.
The Turkish cabinet is also attempting to turn the European Union against Israel, Zaman reported.
Meanwhile, several high-profile members of Congress have urged Turkey not to take a harsh line on Israel.
“There will be a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing more antagonistic to the state of Israel,” said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), the No. 3 House Republican. — jta