05/07/2010 12:04
Turkey officially withdraws from military exercises with Israel
Turkey’s Defense Ministry has officially informed Israel about a decision to cancel and withdraw from joint Israeli-Turkish military exercises scheduled for August, Russian media reported citing Jerusalem Post newspaper.
The Israeli side links this refusal to the May 31 raid on the international flotilla carrying aid to Gaza. In result of the attack, 9 pro-Palestinian activists were killed, of these 8 were from Turkey, and one was an American of Turkish origin.
Thus, the military exercises will be held with participation of Israel and the United States only, said the source.