The Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday expressed “surprise and disappointment” at remarks by British Prime Minister David Cameron, in which he condemned the Israeli attack on a Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza as “completely unacceptable” and described Gaza as “a prison camp.”

The remarks came during a speech in Turkey where Cameron urged Israel and Turkey “not to give up” on their relationship in the aftermath of the flotilla incident.

"We are surprised and disappointed that Prime Minister Cameron has resorted to the same kind of inflammatory rhetoric that has been used by Israel’s enemies to describe the humanitarian situation in Gaza," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director. "We would have thought that given Israel’s important relationship with Great Britain, the prime minister would have more carefully considered his words about the complex situation facing Gazans and the security challenges facing Israel."

Cameron made the comments as he was visiting Turkey on Tuesday. In a reference to Israel's blockade of the Strip, he said: "Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp."

He also commented that the world needs Turkey's help in pushing Iran to address international concerns about its suspected nuclear weapons program.

Cameron's strong reference to the flotilla was likely to please his Turkish hosts, though he said an Israeli inquiry into the May 31 incident should be swift and transparent. That comment differed from Turkey's public stance that any inquiry should be international.

The ADL is asking for Cameron to clarify his statements, acknowledging that Great Britain has long been an ally of Israel.