Israel Raises Concerns Over Relationship with Turkey After Raid

A harsh blow has been dealt to relations between Turkey and Israel after Monday's deadly attack on an aid flotilla bound for blockaded Gaza that left nine dead and dozens injured.

Turkey, until Monday Israel's strongest (and only) ally in the Muslim world, vehemently condemned the attack. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned, "Turkey's hostility is as strong as its friendship is valuable."

Speaking with CBS News' Jan Crawford, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said, "Turkey is under a new government than it has been in previous years with a much more Islamic orientation. The Prime Minister has developed a close relationship with Iran and is supportive of Hamas. The relationships are not just problematic for Israel but for the United States and problematic for moderate Arab states in the region."

The Associated Press reported that Turkey had sanctioned the aid flotilla that was subsequently attacked by Israeli commandos and, to add further insult to Israel, put one of it's flagged vessels at the front of the flotilla.

Oren added, "We look at our relationship with Turkey with concern but we very much hope for an improvement in those relationships."

Crawford asked if there was a way to move forward and negotiate in good faith in light of Turkey's stronger ties to Iran and Hamas. Oren responded, "I didn't think they dealt with Israel in good faith in this particular episode. I think that the Turks could have played a more productive role in preventing this."

Watch Tuesday's Washington Unplugged above also featuring an interview with Free Gaza Movement's Adam Shapiro.

"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics Webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.

Lauren Seifert

Lauren Seifert is an associate producer for CBSNews.com.

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