Israel apologizes for humiliating Turkey ambassador

2010-01-14 08:46 BJT

Israel has apologized to Turkey for publicly 'dressing-down' Ankara's ambassador, after Turkey threatened to recall the diplomat. When Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan received the apology letter, he threw a barb at Israel saying it should do more for peace in the region.

The front page of the 
The front page of the "Israel HaYom" showing Israel's Deputy Foreign
Minister Danny Ayalon sitting with the Turkish Ambassador Ahmet
Celikkol in Jerusalem with an arrow showing "the height of 
humiliation" alongside a headline reading "War of Insults". Israel
on Wednesday issued a second apology to Turkey over its envoy's
treatment, bowing to Ankara's ultimatum.(AFP)
 

The latest row broke out after a meeting on Monday between Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Aya-lonn and Turkish ambassador Oguz Celikkol. At the beginning of the meeting in Jerusalem, Celikkol was seen seated on a low couch hinting at the rift.

Ayalonn then pointed out to media, there was no Turkish flag on the table. Israel said the move was in protest to a Turkish TV drama, portraying Israeli diplomats as the masterminds of a child abduction ring.