Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Photo: Reuters
Report: Turkey to seek ICC action over Gaza flotilla
Ankara's media says Turkey wants International Crimes Court probe into Gaza-bound aid sail raid. Petition to cite violation of Maritime Law by Israel; seek damages for casualties' families
Ankara plans on appealing to the International Crimes Court (ICC) in The Hague and ask it to launch an investigation into the Israeli raid of the Gaza aid flotilla, the Turkish media reported Friday.
According to reports, the Turkish attorney general has already begun deposing the flotilla's participant in an effort to build his case.
Aftermath
European Jewish Congress president says 'it is evident' that Turkish organization behind Gaza flotilla long associated with terror, global Jihad
Should Ankara decide to pursue legal action further, both claims would be submitted for review to the ICC in The Hague, and its arbitration institution in Washington.
Israel-Turkey relations have sunk to a new low following the flotilla fiasco. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke vehemently against Israel's actions before his parliament and warned Jerusalem against "testing Turkey's patience."
"The international flotilla to Gaza was legal and the raid on it was in violation of the spirit of the United Nations... this unprovoked attack was a blow to international peace and contrary to International Law," he said.
Erdogan slammed Israel's actions as "piracy," and urged the Israeli public to stand up to their government.
"We expect the nations whose citizens took part in the flotilla to respond to Israel's inconceivable acts," he said. "Israel must stop excusing its actions as self-defense."
