Erdogan Will Boycott Climate Conference if Netanyahu Attends, Says Netanyahu is Proud about Flotilla Attack

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the "Israeli" premier is proud about the deadly attack on the Freedom Flotilla, which killed nine Turks.

"Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is proud of such an armed intervention," Erdogan told Greece's Skai TV on Monday, Reuters reported.

The "Israeli" military attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, killing nine Turkish citizens on board the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara and injuring about 50 other people who were part of the team on the six-ship convoy, which was attempting to break the siege of Gaza in order to deliver 10,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to the long-suffering people of the territory.

The attack outraged the world, seriously undermined Turkey-"Israel" relations, and prompted two United Nations investigations.

Turkey has asked "Israel" to compensate the victims and lift the siege, which has been depriving 1.5 million Gazans of food, fuel, and other necessities for over three years.

The Turkish prime minister said he would not hold talks with Netanyahu because he had boasted about the Flotilla attack, and added that he would avoid Friday's climate conference in Athens if the "Israeli" prime minister attends.

Erdogan said "I think that they (Israelis) must pay for this audacity that characterizes the policy of this government."