Turkey: Israel's raid on Gaza flotilla was 'cause for war'

Turkey PM says Ankara showed restraint and patience 'in line with our grandeur' by not taking action following the deadly 2010 incident.

Turkey's prime minister has said Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last year was "cause for war" but that his country showed "patience" and refrained from taking any action.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Al-Jazeera television in a recent interview that the Israeli attack that killed nine activists occurred in international waters and was therefore "unlawful." His comments were carried by Turkey's state-run Anatolia news agency late Sunday. Erdogan said "It is a cause for war, but we decided to act in line with Turkey's grandeur and showed patience."

Israel insists its naval commandos acted in self-defense after being attacked by some of the activists.

A United Nations report into the raid said Israel's naval blockade was legitimate but that it used "excessive and unreasonable" force. The findings of the Palmer Commission led Turkey to announce plans to sanction Israel, including the severing of all defense industry ties.

Also on Sunday, Turkey declared its plan to boost naval patrols in the eastern Mediterranean in a deepening diplomatic feud. Israel vowed to develop and defend gas platforms recently discovered in its waters, following Turkey's announcement.

On Monday, Erdogan began a visit to Egypt which will be followed by visits to Libya and Tunisia. Egypt has long viewed itself as a leading voice in the Arab world, but Turkey's influence has risen steadily with its growing economic might and its assertive policy in the region, notably toward Israel, which has drawn praise from many Arabs.

"There will be rivalry over a regional role for sure. Egypt is not in a position to play such a role at the moment so Erdogan is trying to take advantage of that," said Adel Soliman, head of Cairo's International Center for Future and Strategic Studies.