Israel orders families of its diplomats out of Turkey amid uproar over deadly Gaza boats raid

Israel orders families of diplomats out of Turkey

JERUSALEM — Israeli media say the Foreign Ministry has ordered the families of its diplomats in Turkey to leave that country because of the uproar over Israel’s deadly naval raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

State-run Israel radio and other stations and newspapers say the diplomatic mission itself will remain in Turkey.

A ministry spokesman would neither confirm nor deny Tuesday’s reports.

At least four Turkish activists were among the nine killed by Israeli naval commandos in the raid Sunday on an international flotilla bringing aid to Gaza.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of a “bloody massacre” and thousands of Turks have protested across the country.