Turkey says flotilla raid was 'cause for war'

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

Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's comments to Al-Jazeera television come as a rift between former allies Israel and Turkey has deepened over Israel's refusal to apologize for the attack that killed nine activists on board a Turkish ship trying to break Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. It also comes ahead of Erdogan's visit to Egypt on Monday, aimed at forging closer cooperation with the country whose relations have also grown tense in the past weeks.

Erdogan, who enjoys huge popularity in the Arab world because of his anti-Israeli stance, told Al-Jazeera that the raid occurred in international waters and was therefore "unlawful." His comments were carried by Turkey's state-run Anatolia news agency late Sunday.

"This attack that took place in international waters is not within international laws," Erdogan said. "It is a cause for war, but we decided to act in line with Turkey's grandeur and showed patience."

An Israeli government spokesman was not immediately available for comment but Israel insists its naval commandos acted in self-defense after being attacked by some of the activists.

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