Israel calls Turkey to block humanitarian ship to Gaza

ANKARA - Israel hopes that the Turkish government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was re-elected party would block ships carrying hundreds of humanitarian activists to Gaza, according to an Israeli minister said on Monday (6/13/2011).

"Clearly we do not want the government's encouragement of Turkey to the group
ships provocative," said deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told public radio after the election Sunday in Turkey.

"We hope that a responsible government will not act against international law and will stop their nationals entering the dangerous zone," he went on again.

Prev. a group of pro-Palestinian activists, led by some groups in Turkey, has stated they plan to sail to Gaza in end of June. This is a repetition of the action they did mission in May 2010. Entourage ship ended with bloodshed when Israeli commandos attacked on May 31, 2010, just as they approached the Gaza. Nine Turkish citizens were killed in the attack, which was widely criticized, and worsening relations between Israel and Ankara.

The activists involved in new vessel group said they would continue their mission, despite Egypt's decision to reopen the Rafah border crossings, effectively weaken Israel's blockade of the coastal territory.

But again Israel strongly urged Turkey to block the departure of the group of ships these humanitarian missions. Israel warned that his forces would take action to prevent the activists arrived at Gaza.

"This election is a time to turn a new page. This does not depend on us, but the Turkish nation, and we expect to see from them a policy that is more thought out and balanced and responsible, "said Ayalon.

"We do not consider Turkey an enemy country. We hope that the Turkish nation agreed to take significant steps before relations with Israel deteriorated more than the situation a year or two years ago, which has caused, "he added.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu urged activists to reconsider the related party and suggested that humanitarian aid can be distributed without inviting the risk of provoking Israel or its citizens safety.

"civilian groups must take into account the fact that the Rafah crossing (between Gaza and Egypt) have been opened and acted more cautiously," he said in a statement released Anatolia news agency.

But the AFP report, the Turkish foreign minister confirmed that the Turkish government "can not accept" demand for independent civilian groups that leave mission, will plan on the end of June with 15 ship from various countries.