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Diplomatic tension mounted between Turkey and Israel after Ankara protested at Tel-Aviv’s actions in Gaza.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Israel’s handling of the situation in Gaza at a Monday press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Saad al-Hariri.
Israel was quick to hit out at Ankara’s criticism. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Tel-Aviv denounces the Turkish prime minister’s strongly-worded remarks. The ministry said Israel reserves the right to protect its citizens from what it called Hezbollah and Hamas attacks.
"Turkey is the last country that should preach morality to Israel and to the Israel Defense Forces," it claimed.
Adding fuel to the fire was a dispute over a television series Valley of the Wolves, which is popular in Turkey.
Turkish Ambassador to Israel Ahmet Oguz Celikkol was summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry Monday. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon expressed Tel-Aviv’s concern over what his government sees as propaganda against Israel and Jews.
A row ensued at the meeting, Israeli media reported. Thus, Celikkol had a lower seating position than Ayalon and only the Israeli flag was seen on the table. Moreover, the deputy minister declined photo reporters’ request to shake the ambassador’s hand. Speaking his native language, he told the press: "We wanted it to be seen that he was seated lower than us and that there was only one flag at the table."
Some sources said Ayalon did not mind the fact that he was on camera as he made the remarks. But Israel's Haaretz newspaper said this attitude, in fact, reflects Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s policy. The report said that Lieberman is trying to counter Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s official visit to Turkey, which is due next week.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon told reporters Tuesday that he had no intention to insult Turkish ambassador but added he would not extend an apology.
"Turkey is the side that owes an apology due to Erdogan’s remarks and the TV series," he alleged.

"Israel crossed the line"
Turkey has issued a stern response to Israel. In a statement, the country’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli government’s reaction to Prime Minister Erdogan’s criticism, saying Israel’s statement "stemmed from internal political speculations and crossed the line."
"Turkey’s foreign policy on the region aims to ensure the co-existence of all countries and nations in the conditions of peace, security and stability, and bring dialog to the forefront instead of using inadequate force and isolation," the statement says.
"The rooted relations between the Turks and Jews, which date back to the period prior to the establishment of the Israeli state, as well as our present-day relations with Israel empower us to issue criticism and warnings. Throughout history, the Turks have extended a helping hand to the Jews in their hard times. The long history of the Turks and Jews’ co-existence is a history of mutual respect and tolerance. For this reason, we reject the allegation about ‘Turkey’s being the last country that should preach morality to Israel’. This expression, which distorts reality, is an injustice against history."
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also issued a statement demanding an explanation and apology from Tel-Aviv over the disrespect displayed toward Turkish Ambassador Celikkol at the meeting hosted by Israel’s Foreign Ministry. According to the statement, Israeli Ambassador to Turkey, Gabby Levy, has been called to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry.
"We call on the Israeli deputy foreign minister, who defied diplomatic ethics by his latest statements and his stance and actions at the meeting with our ambassador in Tel-Aviv, to abide by the guidelines of diplomatic courtesy and respect. Turkey is expecting the other side to take steps to mend the situation arising from the attitude displayed toward our ambassador."*