Ankara, Jan. 13, 10 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Turkish officials demanded a formal apology from the Israeli government for an undiplomatic and bellicose attitude by Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon’s who dressed down the Turkish Ambassador to Israel on Monday.

 

According to Reuters Israel’s deputy foreign minister during his televised remarks conveyed the message that he would not shake hands with Oguz Celikkol, the Turkish ambassador to Israel, made sure the Turkish flag would not be displayed on the table and place the Turkish ambassador sit on a low couch, confronted by three Israeli officials sitting on higher chairs, as a way to convey Tel-Aviv’s extreme discontent with Turkey's stances regarding Israeli policies.

 

In recent months, many Turkish high-ranking officials including its prime minister have repeatedly criticized Israeli actions with respect to Muslim Palestinians and demanded an end to those policies. Israeli government officials however told Ankara that they are not interested in getting lectured by Turkey for issues that matter to Israel.

 

Turkish officials also voiced discontent with the Israeli and Western media campaign against the Iranian nuclear program. Turkish President Abdulah Gul said while everyone is talking about the Iranian nuclear program, they seem to forget all about Israeli illegal possession of over 200 nuclear weapons as if they don’t exist.

 

The Ayalon incident however completely angered Ankara. Today, Turkish government demanded formal apology for the Israeli deputy foreign minister’s behavior towards the ambassador. Tel-Aviv tried to calm the situation by saying Ayalon did in fact apologize but not through official channels.

 

Turkish President Abdullah Gul warned Tel-Aviv that if the problem could not be resolved by the end of the day, he would recall the Turkish ambassador to Ankara for further consultations.