US concerned about Israel-Turkey row

The United States expressed concern on Tuesday over a diplomatic row between its allies Turkey and Israel, urging them to "de-escalate" their dispute over an Israeli commando operation.
"We are concerned," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland after Ankara raised the stakes by announcing it was suspending military and defense industry ties with Israel.
The dispute stems from an Israeli commando raid in international waters on a Turkish vessel, the Marvi Marmara, that was taking aid to the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
The United Nations criticized Israel for using "excessive" for in the raid, which left nine people dead, but upheld Israel's right to impose a naval blockade on Gaza. Israel has refused Turkish demands for an apology.
Meanwhile, in a further escalation of tensions between Israel and Turkey, at least three Israeli diplomats are being expelled from the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, Israeli officials said Wednesday.
The Israeli consulate, however, appears to be unaffected by the Turkish downgrade of diplomatic relations with Israel.
On Tuesday, Turkey's fiery prime minister compared Ankara's once-close ally in the Middle East to a "spoiled boy" and announced additional sanctions would soon be imposed.