19.11.2010
Turkish defense ministry decided to ignore joint naval exercise with Israeli Navy's participation in the Mediterranean Sea due to the crisis in bilateral relations. That was supposed to be NATO-led exercise, but Turkey said it would refuse to attend the maneuvers in case of Israeli Navy also participates, reported The First News referring to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.
It was initially planned that Israel would be represented by one warship –
Saar. However, the Alliance decided to avoid spoiling relations with Turkey on the eve of critical Lisbon summit, and simply postponed that exercise. According to the source, NATO Secretary General Andres Fogh Rasmussen will address this issue after summit.
Joint maneuvers in the Mediterranean were supposed to be held in Aug with participation of Israeli, Turkish, and US navies.
Israel connects Turkey's refusal to participate in the exercise with an attack carried out by Israeli marines upon
Freedom Flotilla headed for blocked Gaza Strip in May 2010. Eight Turkish citizens and one Turkish American were killed in result of brawls on board Turkish ship
Mavi Marmara.
