Tensions high again between Turkey, Israel

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Israeli envoy to Ankara, Gaby Levy, asking for an explanation about the undiplomatic treatment in Tel Aviv of the Turkish ambassador. Late Monday, Israel's deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon, summoned Ambassador Oğuz Çelikkol to protest about a Turkish television drama depicting Israeli security forces kidnapping children and shooting old men.

As the meeting started, Ayalon told the TV crews that Çelikkol was purposely seated on a sofa lower than his own chair, reported Turkish broadcaster NTV. The Israeli official also noted there was no Turkish flag on display and refused to shake the Turkish envoy's hand.

These tensions arise as the Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to head to Ankara this weekend for talks with Turkish leaders. Barak is scheduled to meet with President Abdullah Gül, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and senior military officials on Sunday, an official in Barak's office told AFP on Tuesday.