World | Israel Turkey Threatens to Cut Ties With Israel Says it must apologize for flotilla raid or face consequences By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jul 5, 2010 7:17 AM CDT Copied Protesters chant slogans during an anti Israel rally organized by the Saadet party in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, June 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta) Turkey will cut diplomatic ties with Israel unless it apologizes for the flotilla raid that killed 9 Turks or accepts an international probe into the deaths, said the country's foreign minister. The statement was the most explicit to date from a high-level Turkish official about the conditions for improving strained ties with Israel. Israel insists commandos involved in the raid acted in self-defense after being attacked by pro-Palestinian activists, and has launched its own probe into the incident. But Turkey says that Israel must agree to an international probe instead. "Israelis have three options: They will either apologize or acknowledge an international-impartial inquiry and its conclusion. Otherwise, our diplomatic ties will be cut off," said Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday. Read These Next Beyonce leaves national anthem unfinished. A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. Report an error