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Turkish FM: Country will reconsider its relations with Israel if Turkish citizens not released from prison (UPDATED)

Arab-Israel Relations Materials 2 June 2010 15:56 (UTC +04:00)

Editor's note: Details were added after the third paragraph

If Israel does not release all Turkish citizens from prisons until the evening, Ankara would reconsider its relations with this country, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was quoted as saying by CNN Turk.

Davutoglu said Israel is obliged to pay compensation to families of those killed in the capture of the international humanitarian fleet, transporting humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, by the Israeli navy.

Davutoglu blamed Israel in the abduction of international activists who were on board of the fleet, and grave breaches of international law, as the Israeli Special Forces acted in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

He assured that the security of the Israeli diplomats and their families, accredited to his country, will be properly provided.

Jerusalem instructed the Israeli diplomats accredited in Turkey to send their families to home on the background of a sharp aggravation of bilateral relations.

"Ensuring the safety of diplomats and their families is a question of honor of the state and our duty. The Israeli diplomats should not worry,"  Davutoglu was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti.

Davutoglu also said the Israeli tourists also do not have to worry about their safety.

Earlier, the Israeli authorities encouraged its citizens not to travel to Turkey, which hosts the rallies in protest against the capture of the international humanitarian fleet, transporting humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip for the third day.

"Israeli tourists are our guests and we expect them here," Davutoglu said.

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