CAIRO: Diplomatic sources inside the Israeli Foreign Ministry today strongly condemned Turkey's decision to expel the Israeli ambassador from his post in Ankara in response to repeated refusals by Israelis to apologize for the flotilla incident during which Israeli commandos killed several Turkish nationals. This expulsion comes on the heels of a soon to be released UN report offering mixed criticism of Israeli action during the flotilla incident. Turkey is opening itself up to danger by escalating its crisis with Tel Aviv, sources said. “The Israeli ambassador to Ankara was just a symbol,” they added. Israel has no intention of apologizing over the flotilla incident despite the UN report that cites “excessive and unreasonable force” used by Israelis during its siege on the flotilla in 2010, sources told Israeli newspaper Maariv. Israel will accept the UN-sponsored Palmer Report of the flotilla incident, reported another source, adding that an Israeli apology “will not heal the rift between the two sides and would significantly damage Israel's security posture.” Some members of the Israeli Knesset today escalated the war of words, calling Turkey and enemy to Tel Aviv. Another Knesset member called for the immediate dismissal of the Turkish ambassador to Tel Aviv since the flotilla was sent illegally to Israel, reported the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronot. He also urged the Israeli government to halt the sale of spy planes to and cease all trade agreements with Turkey. Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rafael Barak, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak and other Foreign Ministry officials convened an emergency meeting today to discuss the escalating diplomatic crisis. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, claims that the Israeli ambassador to Turkey had completed his duties in Ankara prior to the Turkish announcement. Yedioth Ahronot said anonymous sources claim that Tel Aviv will accept The Palmer Report but with certain reservations. The Palmer Report found that Israel intended to commandeer the flotilla by force and sieged upon the vessel without proper warning. The report also called upon Israel to apologize for the killing of nine Turkish nationals and pay compensation. In a rare UN win for Israel, the Palmer Report deemed the blockade of the Gaza Strip legal under international law. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey does not recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip. The ruling Hamas Party welcomed the Turkish decision to expel the Israeli ambassador. Hamas described Turkey's action as “normal” in comparison to the flotilla incident, according to Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhry. Prominent Egyptian politicians weigh in Egyptian political forces today reacted to the Turkish decision to expel the Israeli ambassador with support and encouragement. “The decision to dismiss the Israeli ambassador and freeze military agreements shows the power of Turkey,” said Head of the Nasery Party Sameh Ashour. "This decision puts Egypt in an awkward situation, particularly after Egyptian officials were reluctant to dismiss the Israeli ambassador when Israeli forces killed Egyptian security personnel," said Ashour. Ashour urged Egyptian officials to dismiss the Israeli ambassador, stop the export of Egyptian gas to Israel and end all commercial relationships between Egypt and Israel. George Isaac, a leader in the National Association for Change, offered measured support for the Turkish decision, describing the Egyptian situation as “different” from the Turkish one. "Egypt is going through a transitional phase. Egypt's number one priority now is national security," said Isaac. However Isaac does support the amending of the Camp David peace agreement to include an Egyptian troop increase in Sinai. “Turkey is attempting to prove its military prowess and economic strength as well as appeal to Arab countries,” said the Head of the al-Tagammu Party Refaat Said. The attacks on Egyptian soil by Israeli forces and the killing of Egyptian security personnel were a test for the emerging Egyptian government, but leaders could only react weakly because of the economic and political crisis, he added. “Egypt will dismiss the Israeli ambassador if events warrant such a move,” said Bahaa Abu Shefa, a deputy in the al-Wafd Party, adding that the grave incident on board the flotilla justified such a move. "The Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf is a brave man. He believed dismissing the Israeli ambassador would unnecessarily harm security,” he added. Arabic here
