Erdogan slams Obama over US flotilla victim

Turkish prime minister says he asked US president whether he took no interest in American casualty who died onboard the Mavi Marmara because he was also Turkish, claiming Obama 'did not reply'

Ynet|Published: 09.10.11 , 20:12

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday slammed US President Barack Obama, claiming he did not take interest in the Turkish-American citizen who died on board the Mavi Marmara during the 2010 IDF raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla.

Speaking on national Television station TRT, Erdogan said "I asked Obama whether he has no interest in the American casualty because he is also Turkish – and he didn’t reply."

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The Turkish prime minister reiterated Ankara's intention to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, after Jerusalem refused to issue an apology and pay compensation to the families of the victims.

Coffins of Marmara victims (Photo: AP)

"We'll take this to The Hague, and the world will witness once more who are the ones standing beside the victims," he said, while criticizing elements in Turkey's opposition groups, whom he called "Israel's advocates."

Despite his harsh statement, Erdogan did not reiterate the controversial comments he made during an al-Jazeera interview on Thursday, by which Turkish warships will be dispatched to escort future humanitarian naval convoys to Gaza.

Erdogan's bureau issued a clarification on Friday, stating that the comments were taken out of context and that the prime minister was misquoted.