Turkish PM: Ambassador not to return to Israel before Gaza blockade lifted

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that his country would not send an ambassador back to Israel until the blockade on the Gaza Strip is lifted, Turkish Today's Zaman reported Sunday. Erdogan said Israel must lift the blockade before a full restoration of diplomatic ties could be realized, including the return of a Turkish envoy to Israel. Turkey confirmed on March 22 that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had apologized to Turkey for the 2010 attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, in which eight Turks and a Turkish American were killed by Israeli navy commandos. After the incident, Turkey severed diplomatic and security ties with Israel. Ankara has set an official apology, compensation to families of the victims and lifting of the Gaza blockade as the pre-conditions of rapprochement with Israel.