Turkey's prime minister has ruled out normalization of ties with Israel unless the Jewish state "officially apologizes" for its deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla last year.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that ties can not be improved unless Israel also pays compensation to the families of nine Turkish victims and lifts its embargo on Gaza. He spoke at a meeting of Palestinian ambassadors in Istanbul that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also attending.

Erdogan has also voiced support for the recognition of a Palestinian state.