Turkey suspends ties with Israel

Turkey's Prime Minister said Tuesday Ankara was suspending all military, industrial and economic ties with Israel and warned additional measures and sanctions would be taken against Jerusalem. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement came a day after Turkey downgraded diplomatic ties with Israel ordering all senior Israeli diplomats to leave the country by Wednesday. Erdogan also said he was considering visiting Gaza but would make a final decision after he visits Egypt later this month. Defense Ministry Diplomatic-Security bureau head Amos Gilad said Turkey has a lot to lose by taking such steps. Israel's Foreign Ministry said all diplomats above the rank of second secretary would leave Turkey and others would remain in their posts. The latest steps taken by Turkey are in response to Israel's refusal to apologize for the deaths of nine Turkish activists in a raid on a Gaza flotilla boat last May. Israel expressed regret over the incident and saidit would be willing to pay into a joint fund for the victims' families.