Turkey puts Israeli ex-military chiefs on trial (in absentia)

Turkish prosecutors are demanding life sentences for Israel’s former chief of staff Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi, former Navy Commander Eliezer Marom, former MI chief Gen. Amos Yadlin and former Air force Intelligence chief Gen. Avishai Levi. Turkey charges them with causing nine deaths aboard the Turkish Mavi Marmara vessel in May 2011 after “peace activists” attacked the Israel troops boarding the ship to avert its breach of the Gaza blockade.The trial opens in Istanbul Tuesday after Washington failed to persuade the Erdogan government to bury the hatchet with Israel.