Turkish PM widens sanctions on Israel, starting with totally suspending defence trade links and calling Israel ‘the spoiled brat’ of Middle East.

Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is threatening wider sanctions after Israel refused to apologise for the killing of nine Turks on a Gaza-found flotilla. Labelling Israel a “spoiled child” and a supporter of “state terror”, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Tuesday that Turkey was suspending all trade “relations related with defence” as Israel refuses to apologise.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated in recent days after an UN report which both said Israel had the right to control access to waters off Gaza and accused it of using excessive force in the 2010 raid. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said there would also be an enhanced Turkish naval presence to ensure “freedom of navigation” in the eastern Mediterranean and declared: “Trade ties, military ties, regarding defence industry ties, we are completely suspending them with Israel.” He added without elaboration: “This process will be followed by different measures.”

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The moves follow Turkey’s expel of Israel’s ambassador last week in the aftermath of the publication of the UN report, which criticised Israel for using “excessive and unreasonable” force during the Gaza flotilla and ‘Mavi Marmara’ vessel raid. The report also evaluates Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza as legal and justified – a conclusion that Turkey strongly rejects.

Trade between the Turkey and Israel totalled almost $3.5bn last year. One casualty in tarde links may be a $141m deal to upgrade Turkish F16 fighter jets with Israeli-made electronics.