TEL AVIV - In an attempt to limit the diplomatic damage from its deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Israel dropped plans Wednesday to prosecute dozens of pro-Palestinian activists, opting instead to deport them all immediately. The stunning reversal came as Israel faced increasingly sharp international condemnation for Monday's high-seas raid that ended when Israeli commandos killed nine activists. The outcry included accusations of war crimes and a decision by Nicaragua to break diplomatic relations with Israel over the raid. But Israeli officials said the decision not to prosecute any of the activists ��" despite suspicions that they were sent to attack Israeli forces on the ship ��" was primarily an attempt to control the damage to Israel's relations with Turkey, an unofficial sponsor of the flotilla. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing sensitive diplomatic issues. Israel is anxious to patch up ties with Ankara because it is the Jewish state's most important Muslim ally. At least four of the nine killed were Turkish and the ship Israel attacked was Turkish. Israel ordered families of its diplomats out of that country a day after Ankara branded the raid a "massacre." Turkish lawmakers continued to express their outrage Wednesday, calling on their government to review its political, military and economic ties with Israel. The lawmakers also said Israel must formally apologize for the raid, compensate the victims and bring those responsible to justice. In a step aimed at calming the furious response, Israel announced Wednesday that it would deport all of the activists by day's end. They received a hero's welcome in Istanbul. A few thousand jubilant relatives and supporters, waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, applauded outside the airport. The deportees included about 50 of the nearly 700 activists on the ships who Israel said were apparently linked to the world jihad movement and possibly al-Qaeda. Israel accused the suspects of attacking Israeli troops rappelling onto one of the ships and beating them with iron rods, clubs and knives. Originally, Israel planned on detaining them in Israel while police looked into possible charges. But Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said in a statement Wednesday that "keeping them here would do more damage to the country's vital interests than good." Israeli Cabinet Minister Isaac Herzog said the expulsions were an attempt to dampen criticism of Israel. "We are trying to take full control of this crisis management and move forward," Herzog told The Associated Press, while indicating that Israel would reject calls from the UN and others for an independent inquiry. "We are the last nation (that) you can say doesn't check itself," he said. Herzog defended Israel's blockade of Gaza, saying weapons Hamas could receive by sea could be used "against Israel and the region."
