Israel issues unprecedentedly condemnation over Turkish PM's remarks

Israel issued an unprecedentedly strong condemnation of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, saying his often fierce public criticism of its policies could undermine bilateral relations.

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim but secular country, is a key ally of Israel but ties have frayed since the Gaza war a year ago, which killed some 1,434 Palestinians and drew censure from Erdogan.

Hosting Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri in Ankara, Erdogan criticised an Israeli attack that killed three Gazans on Sunday, and suggested Western scrutiny on Iran's nuclear plans was unfair given Israel's assumed atomic arsenal.

"Israel is careful to respect Turkey and seeks continued proper ties between the countries, but we expect reciprocity," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement, calling Erdogan's remarks an "unbridled tongue-lashing".

"Turks are the last who can preach morality to the State of Israel and the Israel Defence Force (military)."

/World Bulletin/