Turkey Warns Israel: You Have One Day To Apologize For Gaza Flotilla Raid

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erdogan-turkeyTurkey declared today that it would not tolerate further delay in the release of a United Nations report concerning Israel’s deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010, and warned of consequences including sanctions should Israel continue to refuse to apologize for the incident.

Publication of the Palmer Commission’s report into the Israel Defense Force’s raid, in whichTurkish activists died aboard the Mavi Marmara, has been postponed three times. In each case the delay took place following the consent of both Turkey and Israel, and as a result of their joint request to the UN secretary general.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had suggested to both Turkey and to the United Nations secretary general that the release date again be postponed past the scheduled September 2 release date, and that the idea was dismissed by the Turks.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told the Turkish daily Today Zaman on Thursday that Ankara “could not accept a six-month extension.”

“The release date of the UN report is the last date for us. We will put Plan B into play if no [Israeli] apology,” Davutoğlu told the Today’s Zaman, without elaborating on what that “Plan B” may be.

In another reference to the possible consequences that would occur in the eventuality that Israel continued to avoid a public apology for the raid, the Turkish FM said that Turkey intended to ” impose sanctions which both Israel and other international parties are aware of.”

Davutoğlu explained, according to the Today Zaman, that Turkey has determined a very clear and principled position and that it will also do what is necessary.

According to the top Turkish official, Israel and Turkey were in fact already on their way to resolve the issue that has stood between the long-time allies for over a year, saying that the two countries were well on their way to agreeing on an apology, when Israel reportedly “stepped back” at the last minute due to what the Zaman has called “intra-coalition squabbles while making a political decision.”

We patiently waited for Israel to decide. It seems Israel has some difficulty in making a decision. Turkey has already determined its position on this issue. We have already expressed that we cannot accept that,” Davutoğlu added.

The Turkish FM also said that Ankara would fulfill all that is required from it when the UN announces the report, adding that the flotilla raid report will not be a “jointly approved report” and that there might also be some elements that Turkey won’t agree to. “We will unveil our position regarding those [elements],” he added.

{Haaretz/Matzav.com Newscenter}


11 COMMENTS

  1. The problem with apologizing is that by saying they were wrong to stop the Mavi Marmara, Israel is implicitly conceding they won’t stop the boats the next time Turkey tries this stunt.

  2. Gam Zu

    With that very small line comes alot af baggage.
    Compensation.
    War crimes.
    Etc
    Now that wasn’t too hard was it?
    But don’t worry, you’re free to travel wherever your little heart desires – with out fear of arrest.”’

  3. I have to say that Israel need not say that it was an error to challenge that flotilla, but it might consider saying that Isreal is sorry that it HAD to do what it HAD to do. Thats as far as I would go with an “apology”. But seeing that Turkey wants to give us an ultimatum, I would not even say that at this point anymore. You do not bully an apology out of anyone. So good luck Turkey. Israel can defend her shores anytime. Thanks.

  4. PLAN M should ne instituted.

    The circuit breaker is for all three parties, i.e. The Turks, Israelis and Palestinians to cooperate. The recent trust building initiatives in regards to the flotilla was positive. The foundations of trust that exist right now must be exploited. The USA offered Turkey to host an international peace conference in Istanbul that they were to facilitate between Israel and the Palestinians a month ago, but it didn’t do the trick. The problem is there is still a trust deficit between the various parties. This can be healed. The Turks are a very proud people who have empathy for the plight of the Palestinians. I also maintain however that if the right diplomatic moves are done then it is possible for people in Turkey to get along quite nicely with people in the State of Israel. The Turks fought vicious battles against the ANZAC’s in WWI. Now Australia and Turkey are on very good terms. A saying on a shrine at Gallipoli is apt…

    “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives, you are now in the soil of a friendly country, therefore, rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are at peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”

    – Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, 1934

  5. i have followed this since it started, that is when the boat was still going forth it seems that turkey is at fault for not stoping them so i see it as turkey wanted the problem to occure i feel that turkey planned it to start with

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