Turkey withdraws ambassador to Israel, cancel military drills, calls Security Council meeting

Turkey withdraws ambassador to Israel over deaths

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s deputy prime minister says Turkey is withdrawing its ambassador to Israel, canceling three joint military drills and calling on the U.N. Security Council to convene in an emergency session about Israel.

The moves come after 10 pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla were reported killed and dozens wounded by Israeli forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc says Turkey is withdrawing its ambassador on Monday and also calling back a youth soccer team from Israel. He equates Israel’s actions with “piracy.”

He rules out deploying Turkish warships in the Mediterranean but severely condemns Israel.