Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship has ignited unprecedented anger in Turkey and driven relations with its most important Muslim ally to their lowest point in six decades.
There are signs, however, that the countries' long-term strategic alliance and military ties will endure.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told parliament Tuesday that the "bloody massacre" of at least four Turkish activists was a turning point in the long-standing alliance. "Nothing will be the same again," Erdogan said, gesturing angrily.
Thousands of Turks staged protests across the country, and pockets of demonstrators shouted "Down with Israel!" near the Israeli ambassador's residence.
The pro-Islamic newspaper Yeni Safak described the Israeli troops as "The children of Hitler" in a banner headline.
But other officials were delivering messages of restraint, and Turkey said it was not canceling plans to receive $183 million worth of Israeli drone planes this summer.
"We will find a solution within law and diplomacy," Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said. "No one should expect us to declare war on Israel over this."
Turkey's eight-year-old Islamic-rooted government has publicly and frequently expressed outrage over Israel's 2008-2009 war in Gaza and continuing blockade of the strip. But Turkey's deeply secular military remains heavily dependent on high-tech Israeli arms in its battle against Kurdish separatist guerrillas based along Turkey's southeastern border with Iraq.
Israel's right-leaning government said that the countries' defense ministers had agreed hours after the raid that the incident wouldn't affect Israeli weapons sales to Turkey.
The massive Heron drones to be delivered this summer can fly at least 20 hours nonstop and first saw action against Hamas militants in the Gaza war. Turkey hopes they can gather crucial intelligence on Kurdish rebels and allow pinpoint strikes at a time of escalating insurgent attacks. Israel also recently completed a more than $1 billion upgrade of Turkey's aging tank fleet and U.S.-made F-4 warplanes.
"There are still common interests, common needs," said Ofra Bengio, a professor of Middle Eastern history at Tel Aviv University.
STATEMENT FROM SECURITY COUNCIL
AFTER HOURS OF NEGOTIATIONS, THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL EARLY TUESDAY CONDEMNED "ACTS" RESULTING IN THE DEATHS OF NINE CIVILIANS IN ISRAEL'S ATTACK ON AN AID FLOTILLA TRYING TO BREACH THE GAZA BLOCKADE.
In a formal statement that seemed less forceful than what had been demanded by Palestinians, Arabs and Turkey, the council also demanded an impartial investigation into the confrontation.
The statement urged that aid ships seized in the raid on Monday be released along with civilians held by Israel.
"The Security Council deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza," the statement said, adding that the 15-member body "in this context, condemns those acts which resulted in the loss" of lives.
AMERICAN LOSES EYE
DURING PROTEST
An American lost her eye when she was hit in the face by a tear gas canister shot by an Israeli border policeman during a demonstration in Jerusalem against the naval raid, officials and a witness said. Emily Henochowicz, 21, of Maryland, underwent surgery after suffering the injury, said hospital spokeswoman Yael Bossem-Levy.
Witness Jonathan Pollak said Palestinian youths were hurling rocks, but Henochowicz didn't participate in any violence and was standing at a distance. The family said it would have no comment.
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