silko
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2011
- Messages
- 2,249
- Reaction score
- 0
Israel considers apologizing to Turkey
Israeli defense officials have said they are considering apologizing to Turkey to revive trade and lucrative defense exports and to prevent possible lawsuits by Turkey against Israeli commandos, something the Israeli foreign minister earlier claimed would occur if Israel did apologize.
The Israeli Defense Ministry officials told Haaretz that they support the idea of offering an apology to Turkey to resolve the crisis that froze ties between the former allies, but recent failed attempts at reconciliation between the countries show little sign this could be possible.
Turkish-Israeli ties were badly strained last May after Israeli naval commandos killed nine Turkish civilians aboard the Mavi Marmara ship, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza to breach Israel's naval blockade. Turkey demands an official apology and compensation to families of the victims. Israel says its soldiers acted in self-defense.
The primary body pushing the idea of reconciliation with Turkey is the Israeli Defense Ministry, which wants to revive billions of dollars in frozen arms deals and exports with Turkey. Defense Minister Ehud Barak repeatedly called on the Israeli side to display a resolute position on burying hostilities. Barak, who has been touted as the most pro-Turkish minister in the current Israeli coalition government, said earlier this month that reconciliation with Turkey is drawing near and that Israel is very interested in putting the past behind us.
But Israel's hawkish Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is against the idea of apologizing to Turkey, claiming that this could lead to lawsuits against Israeli officials and commandos.
Haaretz reported on Sunday that discussions between Israeli defense and Justice Ministry officials over the past few weeks have suggested that a cautious apology could prevent possible lawsuits by Turkish organizations against Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers and bring the affair to an end. The two countries have made bold moves in the past few weeks to normalize relations before the release of the UN's Palmer report on the Mavi Marmara incident. Israel and Turkey also planned to release a carefully-worded statement that would replace the report, which blames both Turkey and Israel for wrongdoing.
The draft report finds Israel's claim legitimate in attempting to stop the flotilla, but slams the Jewish state for using excessive force against civilians. The report was initially scheduled to be released in May but was repeatedly delayed to give the two countries a chance to make peace.
However, reconciliation attempts collapsed after Turkey said it will not back down from its request for an official apology. Israel has said apologizing to Turkey is unacceptable.
According to the Haaretz report, defense officials claim that Israel has a major stake in improving relations with Turkey in light of Turkey's standing in the region, its past economic relationship with Israel and the opportunity to renew defense-related exports to Turkey.
Israel considers apologizing to Turkey
Israeli defense officials have said they are considering apologizing to Turkey to revive trade and lucrative defense exports and to prevent possible lawsuits by Turkey against Israeli commandos, something the Israeli foreign minister earlier claimed would occur if Israel did apologize.
The Israeli Defense Ministry officials told Haaretz that they support the idea of offering an apology to Turkey to resolve the crisis that froze ties between the former allies, but recent failed attempts at reconciliation between the countries show little sign this could be possible.
Turkish-Israeli ties were badly strained last May after Israeli naval commandos killed nine Turkish civilians aboard the Mavi Marmara ship, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza to breach Israel's naval blockade. Turkey demands an official apology and compensation to families of the victims. Israel says its soldiers acted in self-defense.
The primary body pushing the idea of reconciliation with Turkey is the Israeli Defense Ministry, which wants to revive billions of dollars in frozen arms deals and exports with Turkey. Defense Minister Ehud Barak repeatedly called on the Israeli side to display a resolute position on burying hostilities. Barak, who has been touted as the most pro-Turkish minister in the current Israeli coalition government, said earlier this month that reconciliation with Turkey is drawing near and that Israel is very interested in putting the past behind us.
But Israel's hawkish Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is against the idea of apologizing to Turkey, claiming that this could lead to lawsuits against Israeli officials and commandos.
Haaretz reported on Sunday that discussions between Israeli defense and Justice Ministry officials over the past few weeks have suggested that a cautious apology could prevent possible lawsuits by Turkish organizations against Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers and bring the affair to an end. The two countries have made bold moves in the past few weeks to normalize relations before the release of the UN's Palmer report on the Mavi Marmara incident. Israel and Turkey also planned to release a carefully-worded statement that would replace the report, which blames both Turkey and Israel for wrongdoing.
The draft report finds Israel's claim legitimate in attempting to stop the flotilla, but slams the Jewish state for using excessive force against civilians. The report was initially scheduled to be released in May but was repeatedly delayed to give the two countries a chance to make peace.
However, reconciliation attempts collapsed after Turkey said it will not back down from its request for an official apology. Israel has said apologizing to Turkey is unacceptable.
According to the Haaretz report, defense officials claim that Israel has a major stake in improving relations with Turkey in light of Turkey's standing in the region, its past economic relationship with Israel and the opportunity to renew defense-related exports to Turkey.
Israel considers apologizing to Turkey