Turkey insists on international Gaza flotilla investigation

ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Monday said Ankara insists on an international commission to investigate the Israeli commando raid on a Gaza aid flotilla that ended in the death of nine Turks.

“If an international commission is not set up and Turkey’s rightful demands are ignored, Turkey has the right to review its relations with Israel,” Davutoglu said at a press conference in

Ankara.

The foreign minister was responding to Israel’s announcement Monday that it was setting up its own inquiry, which will include two international observers.

The May 31 Israeli raid on a flotilla led by a Turkish NGO took place outside Israel’s territorial waters.

“A commission which will conduct an inquiry into an attack staged in international waters should be international. We demand that an international commission should be formed under the supervision of the UN with participation of Turkey and Israel. We will insist on this matter,” Davutoglu said.

“We believe that Israel, as a country which attacked on a civil convoy in international waters, will not conduct an impartial inquiry,” he added.

The Israeli raid has led to a severe strain in the once-close ties between Turkey and Israel.