ISTANBUL // Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Turkey's metropolis, Istanbul, today to protest against the Israeli commando attack on ships carrying aid supplies for Gaza. Meanwhile, the government in Ankara recalled its ambassador from Israel and warned of "irreversible consequences" for relations between traditional allies Turkey and Israel. Joining a chorus of voices protesting against the Israeli action, Abdullah Gul, the Turkish president, said the Israeli attack was an "open violation of international law that the international community must not remain indifferent to". Besides recalling its ambassador for consultations, Turkey cancelled several military exercises with Israel, the deputy prime minister, Bulent Arinc, said in a news conference carried live by television stations. Turkey, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, was also demanding an urgent meeting of the council. "This attack will be a dark stain on the history of mankind," he said. Mr Arinc heads the government in the absence of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, who is currently on a visit in South America. Mr Erdogan decided to cut short his visit and is expected back in Turkey today, Mr Arinc said. As news of the attack started to come in the early hours yesterday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, pelted the building with stones and tried to storm it. Riot police fought back with water canons and tear gas. The protesters dispersed, but later regrouped. At about midday, the crowd had swollen to several tens of thousands of men and women. They marched from the consulate towards the central Taksim Square, shouting "Down with Israel" and "An eye for an eye, revenge, revenge". They carried signs that read "Long live the global intifada". In Ankara, the capital, protesters gathered in front of the residence of Gaby Levy, Israel's ambassador to Turkey. Protesters in the southern city of Adana marched on the US consulate there. Mr Levy was summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry in the morning, where Turkish diplomats conveyed their government's protest against the Israeli action. "Israel has once again clearly demonstrated that it does not value human lives and peaceful initiatives through targeting innocent civilians," the ministry said in a statement. "We strongly condemn these inhuman acts of Israel. This grave incident which took place in high seas in gross violation of international law might cause irreversible consequences in our relations." tseibert@thenational.ae
