Ankara does not congratulate Israel on 63rd year of its statehood

None of the Cabinet members invited to a reception held by the Israeli Embassy to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel attended the reception in Ankara yesterday evening. The required invitations were sent to the Cabinet members, yet the decision to respond favorably or not is up to them, Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Gaby Levy, who hosted the reception with his wife Irit Levy, told reporters in response to questions. In Konya yesterday, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu responded to questions, saying that the absence of the Cabinet members at Monday’s reception should not be defined as “a diplomatic boycott.”