Turkey summons Israeli envoy over Barak's comments
Ambassador called in after defense minister expresses concern over appointment of new Turkish spy chief, dubs him 'supporter of Iran'
Israeli ambassador to Turkey Gaby Levy was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry after Defense Minister Ehud Barak described Ankara's new Intelligence bureau chief as a "supporter" of Iran, a Turkish diplomat said Tuesday.
Levy was called to the ministry on Monday for a meeting in which Ankara conveyed its displeasure over Barak's comments, the diplomat, who asked not to be named, told AFP.
The Army Radio reported on Sunday that Barak had expressed concern Ankara could pass secret information to Israel's arch-foe Iran because its new intelligence chief supported the Islamic Republic.
"Turkey is a friendly country, a strategic ally, but the nomination in recent weeks of a new chief of the Turkish secret services who is a supporter of Iran worries us," he told a meeting of his Labor party.
Barak added that the appointment could result in "the Iranians having access to secret information," in a recording of his remarks broadcast by the radio.
