Turkey will block Israel from participating in a NATO summit next
month because the Jewish state has not responded for the killing of
Turks who attacked Israeli naval officers boarding the illegal
flotilla Mavi Marmara in May 2010.
Nine Turks were killed by naval commandos, when they attacked and
began beating the soldiers as they attempted to board the ship to
prevent it from illegally entering Israel’s waters as part of a
protest effort to reach Gaza. Seven Israeli soldiers were injured by
the attacking demonstrators.
Since then, relations between Turkey and Israel have rapidly
declined, with Turkey expelling the Israeli envoy and discontinuing
military cooperation.
Turkey has demanded an official apology for the incident, as well as
financial compensation.
