Erdogan had described Israel's military aggressions against Palestinians as "state terror"

ANKARA, June 8 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Turkey has recalled its ambassador from Israel for consultations, a measure seen as a protest against the latest Israeli military offensive on the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah and its refugee camp.

A Turkish official told Agence France-Presse (AFP), on condition of anonymity, that Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu arrived in Ankara "for regular and ordinary consultations" - mild form of diplomatic rebuke.

A spokeswoman at the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv said the consultations would explore ways to reduce Israeli-Palestinian tensions, reported Haaretz.

Israeli Ambassador to Ankara Pini Avivi sought to downplay the importance of the Turkish measure.

"The Turkish leadership understands that relations [with Israel] are so important that various elements cannot be allowed to damage them.

"We can argue about many topics, but not about our friendship," he said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul announced Wednesday, May 267, that Ankara may recall its ambassador to protest Israeli attacks against Palestinians.

Addressing a parliamentary session on developments in the Middle East and Iraq the top diplomat blasted Israel for its bloody operations in the Gaza Strip.

"We are worried that if these (incidents) continue, the situation will go out of control and pave the way for a climate with unpredictable consequences."

Days earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Israel's military aggressions against Palestinians as "state terror."

The Israeli military offensive on Rafah and its refugee camp has claimed the lives of up to 62 Palestinians, flattened 155 homes and drove some 2000 residents homeless.

In March, Erdogan condemned the Israeli assassination of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, asserting it seriously damaged peace efforts.

Last November the Turkish premier turned down a request by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for a brief visit, while in April a visit by Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, was postponed without explanation.

Palestinian leaders have for long been urging Ankara to use its leverage with Israel to press for an end to the Israeli army's repressive practices.

Despite the wave of political criticism, several senior Turkish leaders, including Erdogan himself, said economic cooperation with Israel would not be affected.

Turkish and Israeli firms have recently signed a multi-million deal for the construction of three power stations in Ashkelon, Migdal Ha'emek and Eilat.

Turkey, a strictly secular Muslim country, has been Israel's main regional ally since 1996, when the two signed a military cooperation accord angering most Arab countries and Iran.

Trade between the two countries has risen steadily from $100 million a year in the early 1980s, to $800 million in 1998.