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Turkish Police Clash with Group Protesting Israeli Team


Turkish police and protesters have clashed in Ankara near where an Israeli volleyball team was playing a tournament match against Serbia.

Some demonstrators voiced their opposition to Israel's handling of a deadly raid in May on an aid flotilla headed to the Gaza Strip. Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed after Israeli commandos launched an assault on the flotilla. Eight of the activists were Turkish. The ninth was a Turkish-American.

Authorities had stepped up security for Saturday's match, which was part of the women's European League tournament. The match, which resulted in a 0-3 loss for Israel, was played without spectators.

The protest comes one day after the United Nations Human Rights Council announced it had appointed a team to investigate the May raid. The council said Friday the team would look into possible violations of international law.

Israel has rejected the council's decision to conduct the probe and has instead launched its own inquiries.

The flotilla was trying to break an Israeli blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza. Israel says its commandos acted in self-defense after they were attacked by activists wielding clubs and knives.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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