Report: Turkey threatens to ban Israeli commercial flights over Gaza flotilla row

Israel told Turkey during secret talks this week that it may be willing to offer apology and compensation to victims, according to Turkish media.

By Jonathan Lis and Haaretz Service

Turkey warned Israel in covert talks this week that it may ban commercial flights between the two countries unless Israel agrees to issue an apology and compensation to families of those killed in a May 31 raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Turkish media reported on Friday.

Turkey has already closed its airspace to military flights from Israel and is considering expanding this de-facto ban if Israel refuses its demands, according to Turkey's Today's Zaman newspape

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu made the threat during a clandestine meeting with Israeli Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer in Brussels on Wednesday.

According to the Turkish daily Hurriyet, Ben-Eliezer indicated during the meeting that Israel may be willing to compensate the families of the nine Turkish victims – a move which it has until now refused.

The covert talks - the first high-level contacts between the tense allies since the deadly raid - raised a storm in both in Israel and in Turkey. The decision to hold the meeting was kept secret even from senior members of both administrations.

“Davutoglu reminded Ben-Eliezer of Turkey’s demands from Israel, including an apology, payment of compensation to families of those killed and wounded, an international inquiry and an end to the blockade of Gaza,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters this week.

According to Hurriyet, moves toward such compensation would be made only after Israel completed its internal investigation into the raid.

Turkish sources have reported that during the meeting the two ministers tried to hammer out an acceptable version of the apology Turkey is demanding from Israel, as well as agree on compensation for the families of those killed in Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. "There has to be a clear Israeli statement that is not just an expression of regret at the deaths of the victims," one Turkish source stated.

The Turkish foreign minister had originally asked the Turkish aid organization IHH to postpone its flotilla and allow the government to reach an agreement with Israel.

Davutoglu was concerned that such aid organizations might force Turkey into a foreign policy that conflicts with its own strategic interests. However, these organizations enjoy broad public support and can impact elections.

Davutoglu also believes both that Israel's response was disproportionate and that it is not in Turkey's interests to create an irreparable rift between the countries. This contradicts the position of several senior members of the ruling party who - more than they want to penalize Israel - fear a boosted Davutoglu seeking party leadership if not the premiership, should Erdogan run for the presidency.

Meanwhile, a Turkish human rights organization announced that preliminary findings indicate that some of the victims were killed by gunfire from inside Israel Navy helicopters and not by soldiers who had boarded the ship.

They cite the angle of the wounds and the type of head wounds of some victims. However, because the bodies were washed before they were transferred to Turkey, it is difficult to determine if they were shot from close or long range.

Haaretz