Turkish Ambassador to Israel Oguz Celikkol decided to leave Israel, Turkish Internethaber website reports referring to Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth daily. According to Israeli diplomatic sources, after the infamous reprimand meeting, Celikkol expressed a wish to leave Israel and assume a post in one of the European countries. In this regard, Israeli side awaits official statement by Turkey on the appointment of a new ambassador.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon expressed regret over the Ambassador’s departure and hoped it would not affect Israeli-Turkish relations.

As NEWS.am reported previously, January 11, 2010 Turkish Ambassador to Israel Ahmet Oguz Celikkol met with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon at Israeli Foreign Ministry. Turkish official was seated in a low armchair, while Ayalon was in much higher chair. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon handed a note of protest to Celikkol on anti-Israeli Valley of the Wolves series with Israeli intelligence spies, depicting running operations to kidnap babies and convert them to Judaism. The meeting photos spread in Israeli press, brought about a scandal in Turkey. Following the incident, Turkish authorities demanded official apologize from Israel. On January 13, Ayalon issued a statement, in which he apologized for his conduct to Turkey.

L.A.