Turkey calls for end of Gaza blockade

Turkey says Israel must lift its three-year blockade of the Gaza Strip before it restores full diplomatic relations with its one-time ally.

Ankara withdrew its ambassador to the country over Israel’s storming of an aid convoy, in which four Turks died.

While Israel has started deporting some of those who were arrested, many are still in jail.

“If Israel does not liberate all Turkish citizens in 24 hours – before tonight, we will review all our relations with Israel,” said foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

In Diyarbakir, hundreds of people took part in demonstrations protesting against Israel as they mourned the death of a local man during the raid on the aid flotilla.

Ali Aydar Bengi was among the Turkish nationals killed.

The protesters chanted anti-Israel slogans and said prayers for the dead activist, who was born in the southeastern Turkish city.

Copyright © 2012 euronews