Turkey recalls envoy over Gaza flotilla deaths, accuses Israel of 'state terrorism'

These ships were in international waters i.e. they were outside any waterways that Israel claims for itself or claims to have authority over. The civilians on board those vessels are therefore entitled to defend themselves against armed men who are attempting to storm their ship, and it simply isn't an excuse to claim that THIS army has some special exemption from the laws of the sea because, so sorry, it doesn't.

These ships were in international waters i.e. they were outside any waterways that Israel claims for itself or claims to have authority over. The civilians on board those vessels are therefore entitled to defend themselves against armed men who are attempting to storm their ship, and it simply isn't an excuse to claim that THIS army has some special exemption from the laws of the sea because, so sorry, it doesn't.

These ships were in international waters i.e. they were outside any waterways that Israel claims for itself or claims to have authority over. The civilians on board those vessels are therefore entitled to defend themselves against armed men who are attempting to storm their ship, and it simply isn't an excuse to claim that THIS army has some special exemption from the laws of the sea because, so sorry, it doesn't.

Days before this debacle, Turkey threatens Israel if anything should happen to the boats Turkey will respond. Yet did Turkish authorities check to ensure thart the"peace activists" were n't carrying weapons? And now "shocking" something happened! Has the Turkish Prime Minister suddenly become a Prophet or was this staged from the beginning? Maybe Israel should sponsor a kurdish flotilla.

Is it antisemetic to deliver humanitarian aid to a besieged people?

usually the IDF starts with tear gas, but this time they set out to "Shoot to kill". They wanted to make an example of these activists so that no other group will attempt the same. Also, why did the IDF attack the ship in international waters??? Somali pirates come to mind...

It seems Israel will not be satisfied until it starts World War III

jewish had lived in freely in ottoman empire and also presently in Turkey. turk and israelians was brother in the past. you killed your brother. actually every murderer kills his humanity. I want to know that how can they sleep. easily. they cannot clean their murder by washing their hands.

Why Israel (mostly its current administration) is so violent and aggressive? They need empathy! Their act is isolating Israel from the rest of the world deeply . As a Turkish person: I do not approve R.T Erdogan's provocative Israeli politics but after this horrible event (even one day this administration will end and leave the power) ,The relationship between Israel and Turkey will not be any good. It wounded terribly.

The Israeli military could have subjugated those activist without the loss of lives. There are many ways they could have achieved this, at least they should be capable of doing that. But if only they were shot at then that is another issue.

do Jews feel more manly when they massacre innocent civilians aboard ships carrying humanitarian materials to a besieged people? shame, shame, shame

The so-called "Gaza Aid Convoy" was headed by a Turkish vessel. The incident was turned violent by people on this Turkish vessel who used weapons to attack Israeli soldiers. Israel should call in the Turkish Ambassador in Israel and advise him that Turkey's part in this cannot be ignored and is tantamount to an act of war, with all the resulting repercussions. Simply stated, supporting terrorists & instigating violence cannot be considered actions of a friendly nation!

Piracy on the high sea, never underestimate the folly of the Israeli government.

Is there any depths of depravity that Israel's military will not sink to? Attacks now in international waters, maybe up to activists 20 dead, the murderous siege and imprisionment of over a million people in Gaza. Disgrace and shame mounts day by day on Israel's name. There is a ship in the flotilla from Ireland. If any of our people are dead or injured you can be sure we will not either forgive or forget this attack.

From the BBC News: 31,May 2010. "Some 40,000 people have been killed in the 25-year Kurdish fight for Autonomy" An average of 1,600 killed every year. Each & every year for the past 25 years. This is Turkey's true face. No more to be said.

israel did a wrong thing. killed the humanity. as a human shame on you

real jewish people should stop that violent...

IDF did a mistake. Turkey is powerfull country. If turkey will attack to Israel, I think it will be end of Israel.

I condemn İsrael.İsrael has to stop the violence to human aid ships and Gaza residence.No more ,Enough to İsrael outrages.

and jailing him for life. Didn't they ?

will the US reign in this psycho pit bull. If not now when? What will it take? How obscene does it have to be? Killing on foreign passports, flattening, devastating bombardment of civilians, evictions etc etc etc etc What will it take?

Doesn't the foreign minister know that Israel is an arrogant state which does not bother about anyone but itself!!! It is very sad that Israel is an immature juvenile state that does not see or comprehend the bigger good.

No words can explain this shameful event. I believe Turkey will respond this brutal atttack in every plartform.

directed at them by the "peaceful" passengers on the boats, including the use of firearms, gas and knives. Indeed, reports indicate that some of the passengers attempt to lynch Israeli soldiers. Several Israeli soldiers had to be hospitalized at Tel-Hashomer and Rambam hospitals with major body wounds that they suffered. In the face of this, of course, the soldiers on the boats needed to respond in kind in the process of protecting themselves as part of the obviously legal takeover of the ships that broke international law and refused to heed Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) warnings. Let us hope this will be a signal that provocation doesn't pay, and that a Hebrew soldier will not stand still while being attacked by those aggressively hoping to bring about conflict to the region.

......that's how psycho. He who disregards innocent life will have his disregarded.

Apartheid South Africa ceased to exist. No. It did not fall into the sea. It just ceased to be the immorally corrupt racist regime that it was. And so will Israel cease to exist in the same way. The whole world needs to shun it and boycott it. But need we have expected less from it? Did it not bomb the SS Liberty killing over 30 sailors and wounding over 100 others? So why would we expect that they would be any less cruel to peace activists and senior citizens aboard a humanitarian aid flotilla.

Turkey is a rotating member of the security council It would be interesting to see what would happens now, as well to see Obama reaction. While every paper in the world comment this latest Israel action, there is no mention on the New York Times.

Did'nt Lieberman knew what was going to happend? if yes ,he is an idiot if not even worse !!!

Hopefully Turkish murder of innocent Kurds will be discussed at these meetings.

there's nothing "left-wing" about the activists, at least the Turkish ones.

Who are the terrorists now? It is time Israel was brought to task for its continued violation of international law and human rights.

NOTHING justifies attacking civilians for political purposes. That is what this was. It is NO DIFFERENT than what the Somalis do or Hamas or Hezbollah have done in the past. NO JUSTIFICATION under any circumstances whatsoever. Netanyahu should cancel his trip to the US. To my mind, he is entirely unwelcome. The US should condemn this wanton disregard for NATO civilian life and these wanton MURDERS!

Israel is not your friend remember that, Iran IS your friend. The only reason Israel did not invade you guys is because turkey is not "biblical land"

When will you, citizens of Israel, realize that your leadership has you on a fast-track for nuclear holocaust?

Israel is a cancer......israel has violated every international law with no consequences

According to UN law, any civilian vessel in international waters cannot be attacked by a nation's army. There's no way around it--Israel broke the law. Fortunately no one will condemn them because they will be called Jew haters if they do.

Free Northern Cyprus,then you might be in a position to lecture Israel.

All Israel will account for a day. I denounce you all as a society. I also condemn the silence of the Israeli people

Only a little.

It was Turkish boats which invaded Israeli waters.

I am speechless.