Israel Radio, quoting el-Arabia and other sources, has recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv for “consultations” in response to the IDF commando operation against the Gaza flotilla. This marks the second time this year that Turkey has taken such a step.

High-level officials are expressing concerns that Turkey may cut diplomatic relations with Israel, which have been strained since Operation Cast Lead.

Ankara has also canceled three joint military exercises planned with Israel in the act of protest, and officials in Ankara are calling for an urgent session of the United Nations Security Council to address Israel’s “atrocities”

Israeli ambassadors in Greece, Sweden, and Italy are being summoned to explain the military operation out at sea. Even Israel’s stronger European allies, such as Italy, are calling the commando mission “a provocation”.

Greece’s chief of staff earlier in the day called off a major joint exercise with the Israel Air Force in an angry response to the commando mission targeting the Gaza flotilla.

Amid other false Arab media reports, officials have learned that Sheikh Rayed Salach was not injured or killed as indicated by a widespread rumor earlier in the day.

Israel’s Arab population has declared a general strike for Tuesday, June 1st, and protests against Israel have been reported in the Nachal I’ron area, Nazareth, Kalandia Checkpoint, Beirut, Istanbul, Ankara, Amman and Gaza.

A protest has been announced opposite the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, scheduled to get underway at 7:00pm on Monday.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)