Turkey Says Israeli Plane Violates N.Cyprus Airspace

[Purveyor]

ISTANBUL | Thu May 17, 2012 10:29am EDT

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey said on Thursday it had scrambled military jets to intercept an Israeli plane that violated northern Cypriot airspace this week, and demanded an explanation for the incursion.

An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on the accusation. But the incident marked a fresh source of tension between the former allies.

Relations between Turkey and Israel fell apart after Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara aid vessel in May 2010 to enforce a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and killed nine Turks in clashes with pro-Palestinian activists.

Monday's reported air incursion coincided with tensions on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus over oil and gas exploration plans there, which could hinder U.N.-backed efforts to reunite the island.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/17/us-turkey-israel-cyprus-idUSBRE84G0TV20120517

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. The Turkish occupation of portions of Cyprus is being ignored in all of this

[Selatius]

2. Maybe the Israeli Air Force is conducting reconnaisance over that island to view Turkish positions?

Relations between the two states have never been lower. Since Israel is trying to increase relations with Greece and Cyprus in the aftermath of the fallout with Turkey, it would seem possible that Israel would be in the best position to provide intelligence on Turkish positions with surveillance aircraft, given Israeli military capabilities, on behalf of Greece and Cyprus.