World Jewish News

Ayalon and Celikkol in January 2010 (Photo by Olivier Fitoussi, Haaretz.com)

Turkey to name new ambassador to Israel

Turkey will name a new ambassador to Israel to replace envoy Ahmet Oguz Celikkol, who was humiliated in Israel earlier this year, Turkeish television reported Sunday.
Private NTV television on Sunday reported that Celikkol, who held the post for less than a year, will be be replaced this summer by diplomat and expert on Middle Eastern affairs Kerim Uras.
Celikkol was rebuked by Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon during a January meeting in which he summoned over an anti-Israeli television show aired in Turkey, and was made to sit in a chair lower than that of Ayalon, while the Turkish flag was deliberately not put on display.
Ayalon later conceded his behavior toward the envoy had been inappropriate. But Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that was insufficient and demanded a full apology.
Ayalon issued a formal apology to Ankara at President Shimon Peres' request and at the culmination of day-long consultations between Ankara and Jerusalem.
"I had no intention to humiliate you personally and apologize for the way the demarche was handled and perceived, Ayalon said in the letter, released by the Israeli government.
"Please convey this to the Turkish people for whom we have great respect. I hope that both Israel and Turkey will seek diplomatic and courteous channels to convey messages as two allies should."
In response, Erdogan said the Turkish foreign ministry had received "the expected, desired answer."
But he added more criticism of Israel, telling a news conference: "Israel must put itself in order and it must be more just and more on the side of peace in the region."
There was no immediate official confirmation of Sunday's report that Celikkol would be recalled

Haaretz.com