Turkey has a large, modern military force that easily outguns the Israelis. Israel enjoys an almost mythical reputation for their military but toughness alone is enough in the face of overwhelming numbers. Israel has no inhibitions about using nuclear weapons, especially if facing an all attack from Turkey.
Turkey is a Muslim nation and a NATO nation. Any conflict between the two nations would pose several dilemmas for the United States. First, the United States has been a long time all of Israel. Supporting Israel over Turkey would put the US at odds with NATO, the very organization the United States helped formed in response to the Cold War. It would also affirm in the eyes of the Muslim world that the US has really be waging a war against Islam all along. The US would lose any leverage it may have in dealing with Iran and Ahmadinejad's nuclear weapons program.
If the United States comes out supporting Turkey, it means abandoning long time ally Israel. It will be spun by both Islamic and Jewish supporters as a victory for the Muslim world and the US will be condemned for abandoning a long-term ally.
Israel's policies regarding the Gaza strip are untenable and places the United States in a precarious position. The US is already engaged in two wars, with the possibility of additional conflicts in either North Korea and Iran, can ill afford to be drawn into another conflict in the Middle East. The United States has thus far been able to minimize comparisons of the current wars to the Crusades. A conflict between Turkey and Israel would enjoy no such pardon.
Flotilla Raid Further Frays Turkey-Israel Ties - WSJ.com
Update: The UN has just condemned Israel's actions.
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