Turkey Suspends Military Ties With Israel

Turkey ratcheted up its diplomatic offensive against Israel on Tuesday by announcing it was suspending defence industry ties and threatening further sanctions after Israel's refusal to apologise for the deaths of nine activists on board the Mavi Marmara 14 months ago.

The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he was considering a trip to Gaza, where he would be assured of a hero's welcome. He repeated a warning that Turkish naval vessels would step up activity in the eastern Mediterranean.

Since the release last week of the Palmer report of the UN investigation into Israel's deadly assault on the Gaza-bound Turkish vessel, Ankara has expelled Israel's ambassador, plunging relations between the two allies to a new low. Erdogan has also promised to lobby on behalf of the Palestinians in support of their attempts to win recognition of their state at the UN later this month.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara on Tuesday, Erdogan confirmed Turkey was freezing military trade ties. "Trade ties, military ties, regarding defence industry ties, we are completely suspending them," he said. "This process will be followed by different measures." No further details were given.