Ankara, Turkey – Turkey’s prime minister on Saturday ruled out a normalization of ties with Israel unless the Jewish state “officially apologizes” for its deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla last year.
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Recep Tayyip Erdogan said relations cannot be improved unless Israel also pays compensation to the families of nine Turkish victims and lifts its embargo on Gaza. Israeli officials were not immediately available for comment.
“We did not and will not forget the massacre of our brothers,” Erdogan told a meeting of Palestinian ambassadors in Istanbul that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also attending. “No belief … can justify the barbaric and cruel killing of innocent people.”
Israel has insisted its soldiers acted in self-defense after being attacked by activists when they boarded the Turkish ship, Mavi Marmara. But a Turkish investigation revealed that two activists were killed before commandos boarded the ship and another died “execution-style” as he lay injured.
The commando raid sparked condemnation worldwide and led to an easing of Israel’s blockade on the coastal territory. It further damaged already strained relations with Turkey, formerly one of Israel’s closest allies in the region.
Erdogan has also voiced support for the recognition of a Palestinian state and accused Israel of using excessive force against the Palestinians.
The Turkish prime minister also criticized the United Nations and the United States for turning a blind eye to Israel’s “spoiled practices.”
The Turkish government should apologize for its national’s ship attacking a legal intercept.
Israel’s hard line against a bunch of loony activists has ensured an annual drama of toothpaste carrying flotillas and Israel using its limited int’l clout to try to stop them. If only they had some sense.
Dear Turkeys,
I am sorry you people sent ships into our sovereign water and when we boarded your people acted like they animals they are. You do understand when they began with their weapons on us, we HAD to defend ourselves and we imagine you would have done the same.
We are sorry but please understand we would do the same thing all over again to protect our country.
One sends out a ship full of agressors with weapons and when not heeding instructions by the local authorities they are yet “surprised” that the rules will be enforced and have the audacity to demand compensation? WHat would have taken place in Russia? Ha!
There are rumors that Erduan is trying to cover up gossip that he is from Jewish lineage and therefore must flex his muscles against Israel.
He has a whole shopping list: Apologise, pay money, lift embargo on Gazza and who knows what else?!
armenia ! 1915 ! armenia ! genocide ! armenia ! 1,500,000 ! and maybe a little to the greecs and assyrians as well ! 95 years ! and still no apology !? not even some acknowledgment ?!
PM Netanyahu should inform PM Erdogan that Israel will apologize to Turkey when hair grows on palms of Erdogan’s hands.
“Turkish investigation shows…”, how about what ALL the TAPES show!? Israeli soldiers were attacked soon after boarding the ships! Turkey has enough to worry about when aligning itself with Iran, that causes many countries to distance themselves from such an alliance.
Why do you post these articles written in openly anti-semitic language?