Flotilla row: Turkey to take Israel to court
Ankara plans to send a request next week to the International Court of Justice.
ISTANBUL:
Ankara plans to send a request next week to the International Court of Justice to consider the legality of the naval blockade of Gaza, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said.
The ICJ is the UN’s highest court to settle international disputes. “This is not just an issue between Turkey and Israel but one between Israel and the international community, involving international rights and the international community’s conscience,” Davutoglu was quoted as saying by Turkey’s Anatolia news agency.
In Jerusalem, a senior Israeli official ruled out the risk of a naval confrontation with Turkey following their diplomatic crisis.
“There is no risk of a naval confrontation,” Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said in an interview with public television.
“I don’t think for a moment that Turkish (war-)ships will escort boats trying to run the blockade of Gaza,” he said, adding Israel would keep the blockade in place.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2011.
Ankara plans to send a request next week to the International Court of Justice to consider the legality of the naval blockade of Gaza, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said.
The ICJ is the UN’s highest court to settle international disputes. “This is not just an issue between Turkey and Israel but one between Israel and the international community, involving international rights and the international community’s conscience,” Davutoglu was quoted as saying by Turkey’s Anatolia news agency.
In Jerusalem, a senior Israeli official ruled out the risk of a naval confrontation with Turkey following their diplomatic crisis.
“There is no risk of a naval confrontation,” Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said in an interview with public television.
“I don’t think for a moment that Turkish (war-)ships will escort boats trying to run the blockade of Gaza,” he said, adding Israel would keep the blockade in place.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2011.