Turkish PM: Gaza flotilla raid was ‘cause for war’

TURKEY’S prime minister said yesterday that Israel’s raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last year was “cause for war”, but added that his country showed “patience” and refrained from taking any action.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the comments before departing for a visit to Egypt later yesterday, where he sought to boost his government’s already high standing in the Arab world — a position he has achieved in part by challenging Israel on the world stage.

Erdogan, intent on broadening Turkey’s influence in the Middle East and the Arab world, will also visit Tunisia and Libya, two other countries where popular uprisings have ousted autocratic leaders.