1 sept 2011
Hamas nixes UN's flotilla probe
Hamas' spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri
Hamas has dismissed the UN's inquiry into the last year's lethal Israeli assault against an aid flotilla, which was bound for the Tel Aviv-blockaded Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, the Palestinian resistance movement's spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that the results of the investigation -- some extracts of which have been published in the The New York Times -- was 'unjust and unbalanced,' AFP reported.
"The UN report into the Israeli attack…will allow the [Israeli] occupier to shirk its responsibilities,” he said.
The probe, which was directed by the former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer, is to be published on September 2.
It describes the Israeli aggression on the Turkish-led aid convoy as 'excessive,' but views Tel Aviv's now-four-year-old all-out blockade of the coastal sliver as legal.
"Israel's decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable," the report said.
"We have made it clear that we consider that Israel was entitled to impose the naval blockade. It follows that Israel was also entitled to enforce it,” it asserted.
Israeli naval commandos assaulted the six-ship civilian aid convoy known as the Freedom Flotilla on May 31, 2010, while it was carrying thousands of tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in the international waters in the Mediterranean.
Nine Turkish human rights activists, including a Turkish-American national, were slain and around 50 others injured during the attack, which resulted in major strain in Ankara's ties with Tel Aviv.
Report Finds Naval Blockade by Israel Legal but Faults Raid
A long-awaited United Nations review of Israel’s 2010 raid on a Turkish-based flotilla in which nine passengers were killed has found that Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is both legal and appropriate. But it said that the way Israeli forces boarded the vessels trying to break that blockade 15 months ago was excessive and unreasonable.
The report, expected to be released Friday, also found that when Israeli commandos boarded the main ship, they faced “organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers” and were therefore required to use force for their own protection. But the report called the force “excessive and unreasonable,” saying that the loss of life was unacceptable and that the Israeli military’s later treatment of passengers was abusive.
Hamas has dismissed the UN's inquiry into the last year's lethal Israeli assault against an aid flotilla, which was bound for the Tel Aviv-blockaded Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, the Palestinian resistance movement's spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that the results of the investigation -- some extracts of which have been published in the The New York Times -- was 'unjust and unbalanced,' AFP reported.
"The UN report into the Israeli attack…will allow the [Israeli] occupier to shirk its responsibilities,” he said.
The probe, which was directed by the former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer, is to be published on September 2.
It describes the Israeli aggression on the Turkish-led aid convoy as 'excessive,' but views Tel Aviv's now-four-year-old all-out blockade of the coastal sliver as legal.
"Israel's decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable," the report said.
"We have made it clear that we consider that Israel was entitled to impose the naval blockade. It follows that Israel was also entitled to enforce it,” it asserted.
Israeli naval commandos assaulted the six-ship civilian aid convoy known as the Freedom Flotilla on May 31, 2010, while it was carrying thousands of tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in the international waters in the Mediterranean.
Nine Turkish human rights activists, including a Turkish-American national, were slain and around 50 others injured during the attack, which resulted in major strain in Ankara's ties with Tel Aviv.
Report Finds Naval Blockade by Israel Legal but Faults Raid
A long-awaited United Nations review of Israel’s 2010 raid on a Turkish-based flotilla in which nine passengers were killed has found that Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is both legal and appropriate. But it said that the way Israeli forces boarded the vessels trying to break that blockade 15 months ago was excessive and unreasonable.
The report, expected to be released Friday, also found that when Israeli commandos boarded the main ship, they faced “organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers” and were therefore required to use force for their own protection. But the report called the force “excessive and unreasonable,” saying that the loss of life was unacceptable and that the Israeli military’s later treatment of passengers was abusive.
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The 105-page report, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, was completed months ago. But its publication was delayed several times as Turkey and Israel sought to reconcile their deteriorating relationship and perhaps avoid making the report public. In reactions from both governments included in the report, as well as in interviews, each objected to its conclusions. Both said they believed that the report, which was intended to help mend relations, would instead make reconciliation harder.
Turkey is particularly upset by the conclusion that Israel’s naval blockade is in keeping with international law and that its forces have the right to stop Gaza-bound ships in international waters, which is what happened in the 2010 episode. That conclusion oversteps the mandate of the four-member panel appointed by the United Nations secretary general and is at odds with other United Nations decisions, Turkey argued. The report noted that the panel did not have the power to compel testimony or demand documents, but instead had to rely on information provided by Israel and Turkey. Therefore, its conclusions cannot be considered definitive in either fact or law. The Foreign Ministries in Turkey and Israel declined to comment publicly on the report, saying they preferred to wait for its official release. No one was available to comment in the office of the United Nations spokesman. |
Israel considers the report to be a rare vindication for it in the United Nations. A United Nations Security Council statement at the time assailed the loss of life, and Israel faced widespread international condemnation. It thought that by offering to negotiate an agreement with Turkey that would stop the report’s publication, Turkish officials might soften their position.
But the two countries’ negotiations, which focused on some kind of apology from Israel and compensation for the victims — eight Turks and an American of Turkish descent — ended in failure. Israel says it is willing to express regret and pay compensation. But the Turks want a full apology. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said he believed that apologizing would demoralize Israeli citizens and broadcast a message of weakness. Aides said he might reconsider at a later date if the Turks eased their demands.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said an apology and compensation would not be sufficient to return Turkey’s ambassador to Tel Aviv. Israel also has to end its naval blockade of Gaza, he insisted.
The report does recommend that Israel make “an appropriate statement of regret” and pay compensation, but the Turks say that formula does not express sufficient remorse.
The United Nations investigation into the events on the ship, the Mavi Marmara, which was sailing under a Turkish flag and was the largest of six vessels that were commandeered by Israeli commandos on May 31, 2010, was led by Sir Geoffrey Palmer, a former prime minister of New Zealand. He was aided by Álvaro Uribe, a former president of Colombia, along with one representative from Israel and another from Turkey.
The report takes a broadly sympathetic view of Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza.
“Israel faces a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza,” the report says in its opening paragraphs. “The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law.”
The report is hard on the flotilla, asserting that it “acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade.” It said that while a majority of the hundreds of people aboard the six vessels had no violent intention, that could not be said of the I.H.H. Humanitarian Relief Foundation, the Turkish aid group that primarily organized the flotilla. It said, “There exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly I.H.H.”
It also said that the Turkish government tried to persuade the organizers to avoid an encounter with Israeli forces, but that “more could have been done.”
Regarding the boarding of the ship, the Palmer committee said Israel should have issued warnings closer to the moment of action and should have first turned to nonviolent options.
The report assailed Israel for the way in which the nine passengers were killed and others were injured. “Forensic evidence showing that most of the deceased were shot multiple times, including in the back, or at close range has not been adequately accounted for in the material presented by Israel,” it says. The report does, however, acknowledge that once on board the commandos had to defend themselves against violent attack. The report also criticizes Israel’s subsequent treatment of the passengers, saying it “included physical mistreatment, harassment and intimidation, unjustified confiscation of belongings and the denial of timely consular assistance.”
Like so many elements of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the events on the Mavi Marmara produced two competing narratives, each full of self-justification and contempt for the other.
An official Israeli investigation found not only that Israel’s naval blockade was legal but that everything done by Israel, from the actions of its commandos to the treatment of the passengers afterward, was honorable and appropriate. The flotilla organizers, it said, included 40 members of a “hard-core group” who were not properly checked before boarding in Turkey.
A Turkish investigation came to precisely the opposite conclusion. It asserted that the blockade was illegal in all aspects, amounting to collective punishment of the Palestinians of Gaza. It said all of the people on board were civilians, all had been checked out and were unarmed and therefore subject to protection from any invasion under international humanitarian law.
The Turks also concluded that Israeli commandos used live fire before landing, leading to death and injury; the Israelis said they had not. The Palmer committee said it was unable to determine who was right.
Those critical of Israeli actions toward Gaza have viewed the blockade that began officially in January 2009 as part of a siege imposed by Israel on Gaza after Hamas took full control there in 2007. That siege, which has eased considerably in the past year, prevented the movement of most goods and people.
But the Palmer committee said that while it had concerns about that policy and urged that it be loosened further, it saw the naval blockade as a purely security-oriented tool that had been imposed to stop weapons from arriving in Gaza by sea. It also expressed strong concern about the thousands of rockets and mortar shells fired into Israel from Gaza in recent years. It said that because Gaza’s port could not handle large ships, a naval blockade had little impact on the supply of civilian goods.
Neil MacFarquhar reported from the United Nations, and Ethan Bronner from Jerusalem.
But the two countries’ negotiations, which focused on some kind of apology from Israel and compensation for the victims — eight Turks and an American of Turkish descent — ended in failure. Israel says it is willing to express regret and pay compensation. But the Turks want a full apology. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said he believed that apologizing would demoralize Israeli citizens and broadcast a message of weakness. Aides said he might reconsider at a later date if the Turks eased their demands.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said an apology and compensation would not be sufficient to return Turkey’s ambassador to Tel Aviv. Israel also has to end its naval blockade of Gaza, he insisted.
The report does recommend that Israel make “an appropriate statement of regret” and pay compensation, but the Turks say that formula does not express sufficient remorse.
The United Nations investigation into the events on the ship, the Mavi Marmara, which was sailing under a Turkish flag and was the largest of six vessels that were commandeered by Israeli commandos on May 31, 2010, was led by Sir Geoffrey Palmer, a former prime minister of New Zealand. He was aided by Álvaro Uribe, a former president of Colombia, along with one representative from Israel and another from Turkey.
The report takes a broadly sympathetic view of Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza.
“Israel faces a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza,” the report says in its opening paragraphs. “The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law.”
The report is hard on the flotilla, asserting that it “acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade.” It said that while a majority of the hundreds of people aboard the six vessels had no violent intention, that could not be said of the I.H.H. Humanitarian Relief Foundation, the Turkish aid group that primarily organized the flotilla. It said, “There exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly I.H.H.”
It also said that the Turkish government tried to persuade the organizers to avoid an encounter with Israeli forces, but that “more could have been done.”
Regarding the boarding of the ship, the Palmer committee said Israel should have issued warnings closer to the moment of action and should have first turned to nonviolent options.
The report assailed Israel for the way in which the nine passengers were killed and others were injured. “Forensic evidence showing that most of the deceased were shot multiple times, including in the back, or at close range has not been adequately accounted for in the material presented by Israel,” it says. The report does, however, acknowledge that once on board the commandos had to defend themselves against violent attack. The report also criticizes Israel’s subsequent treatment of the passengers, saying it “included physical mistreatment, harassment and intimidation, unjustified confiscation of belongings and the denial of timely consular assistance.”
Like so many elements of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the events on the Mavi Marmara produced two competing narratives, each full of self-justification and contempt for the other.
An official Israeli investigation found not only that Israel’s naval blockade was legal but that everything done by Israel, from the actions of its commandos to the treatment of the passengers afterward, was honorable and appropriate. The flotilla organizers, it said, included 40 members of a “hard-core group” who were not properly checked before boarding in Turkey.
A Turkish investigation came to precisely the opposite conclusion. It asserted that the blockade was illegal in all aspects, amounting to collective punishment of the Palestinians of Gaza. It said all of the people on board were civilians, all had been checked out and were unarmed and therefore subject to protection from any invasion under international humanitarian law.
The Turks also concluded that Israeli commandos used live fire before landing, leading to death and injury; the Israelis said they had not. The Palmer committee said it was unable to determine who was right.
Those critical of Israeli actions toward Gaza have viewed the blockade that began officially in January 2009 as part of a siege imposed by Israel on Gaza after Hamas took full control there in 2007. That siege, which has eased considerably in the past year, prevented the movement of most goods and people.
But the Palmer committee said that while it had concerns about that policy and urged that it be loosened further, it saw the naval blockade as a purely security-oriented tool that had been imposed to stop weapons from arriving in Gaza by sea. It also expressed strong concern about the thousands of rockets and mortar shells fired into Israel from Gaza in recent years. It said that because Gaza’s port could not handle large ships, a naval blockade had little impact on the supply of civilian goods.
Neil MacFarquhar reported from the United Nations, and Ethan Bronner from Jerusalem.
29 aug 2011
Turkey denied Netanyahu effort to delay release of Gaza flotilla report
Turkey claims Netanyahu attempting to buy time, add that they prefer an unfavorable report over waiting another two fruitless months; Palmer Report due to be published on Friday September 2.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested a few days ago that the Palmer Report on the Israel Defense Forces' raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla in which nine Turkish activists were killed, be delayed by six months.
The suggestion was made to the Turkish government and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but Haaretz has learned that the Turkish government rejected Netanyahu's proposal, claiming it was not serious.
The UN investigative committee into the raid, headed by Geoffrey Palmer, is now due to publish the report this Friday, September 2.
The Palmer Report on the events that occurred on board the Turkish aid ship Mavi Marmara in 2010 has been delayed three times already, each time with the agreement of both Israel and Turkey, who made joint requests of the UN Secretary-General.
According to an official in Jerusalem, Netanyahu's latest suggestion to postpone the report's publication by six months was not warmly welcomed by the Turks.
Turkey saw Netanyahu's suggestion as an attempt to avoid reaching a decision on the reconciliation agreement and to stall progress. They explained that despite how problematic the report is for them, they would prefer for it to be published on September 2 than to wait another two grueling months, at the end of which it is not at all certain that Netanyahu would agree to apologize for what happened on board the Mavi Marmara.
An outline of the reconciliation agreement has already been approved by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and includes a softened Israeli apology for the events that occurred onboard the ship, in return for normalized relations with Turkey and a commitment on Turkey's behalf not to take legal proceedings personally against the Israeli soldiers and officers involved.
Turkey has said that if Israel does not apologize, it will carry out a series of actions detrimental to Israel-Turkey relations and that it would take legal action against Israel.
Netanyahu has avoided making a firm decision for a number of months regarding how Israel will deal with the situation.
He told senior American officials that despite that he is interested in accepting the outline of the agreement and apologizing to Turkey, he feared such a move would lead Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to withdraw from the coalition.
After Lieberman said he would not withdraw from the coalition, even if a decision was made to apologize to Turkey, Netanyahu changed his reasoning for postponing the report's publication, telling the Americans that he is not able to apologize, for he is under political pressure owing to the social protests.
Two weeks ago he informed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Israel would not apologize for the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid. Speaking with Clinton via telephone, Netanayhu said that Israel does not intend to adopt an outline to restore its relationship with Turkey.
An official in Jerusalem said that Netanyahu told Clinton that Israel does not oppose the publication of the Palmer Committee's report, but that the date of the report's release depends on Ban Ki-moon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested a few days ago that the Palmer Report on the Israel Defense Forces' raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla in which nine Turkish activists were killed, be delayed by six months.
The suggestion was made to the Turkish government and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but Haaretz has learned that the Turkish government rejected Netanyahu's proposal, claiming it was not serious.
The UN investigative committee into the raid, headed by Geoffrey Palmer, is now due to publish the report this Friday, September 2.
The Palmer Report on the events that occurred on board the Turkish aid ship Mavi Marmara in 2010 has been delayed three times already, each time with the agreement of both Israel and Turkey, who made joint requests of the UN Secretary-General.
According to an official in Jerusalem, Netanyahu's latest suggestion to postpone the report's publication by six months was not warmly welcomed by the Turks.
Turkey saw Netanyahu's suggestion as an attempt to avoid reaching a decision on the reconciliation agreement and to stall progress. They explained that despite how problematic the report is for them, they would prefer for it to be published on September 2 than to wait another two grueling months, at the end of which it is not at all certain that Netanyahu would agree to apologize for what happened on board the Mavi Marmara.
An outline of the reconciliation agreement has already been approved by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and includes a softened Israeli apology for the events that occurred onboard the ship, in return for normalized relations with Turkey and a commitment on Turkey's behalf not to take legal proceedings personally against the Israeli soldiers and officers involved.
Turkey has said that if Israel does not apologize, it will carry out a series of actions detrimental to Israel-Turkey relations and that it would take legal action against Israel.
Netanyahu has avoided making a firm decision for a number of months regarding how Israel will deal with the situation.
He told senior American officials that despite that he is interested in accepting the outline of the agreement and apologizing to Turkey, he feared such a move would lead Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to withdraw from the coalition.
After Lieberman said he would not withdraw from the coalition, even if a decision was made to apologize to Turkey, Netanyahu changed his reasoning for postponing the report's publication, telling the Americans that he is not able to apologize, for he is under political pressure owing to the social protests.
Two weeks ago he informed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Israel would not apologize for the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid. Speaking with Clinton via telephone, Netanayhu said that Israel does not intend to adopt an outline to restore its relationship with Turkey.
An official in Jerusalem said that Netanyahu told Clinton that Israel does not oppose the publication of the Palmer Committee's report, but that the date of the report's release depends on Ban Ki-moon.
22 aug 2011
UN once again delays flotilla report
The United Nations has for the third time postponed the release of a report on Israel's deadly attack on the Gaza-bound international aid flotilla in 2010.
The UN's findings about the brutal incident, which left nine Turkish activists dead and dozens of others wounded, was expected out this week.
According to Turkish foreign ministry, Israel is behind the delay in the publication of the long-awaited UN report, also known as the Palmer report.
"The demand to postpone (the announcement) came from Israel, like the previous demands," Selcuk Unal, the spokesperson for the Turkish foreign ministry told Turkey's Anatolia news agency on Monday.
This is while Israeli media claimed that Ankara had demanded the delay.
Tel Aviv has been hard trying to mend its damaged relations with Ankara before the publication of the UN report.
Turkey has repeatedly said that relations between the two sides can only be restored if Tel Aviv apologizes for the attack, compensates the families of those killed and the injured, and lifts its crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Israel has reportedly agreed to a payout but is resisting calls to apologize, proposing instead to express regret.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Tel Aviv ''definitely will not apologize to Turkey'' over the flotilla attack.
On May 31, 2010, Israeli commandos attacked the six-vessel Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters to prevent the convoy from breaking the crippling Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.
In the assault, nine Turkish nationals, including a teenager with dual Turkish-US citizenship, were killed and dozens of others were left wounded.
Turkey said that some of the victims had been shot "execution-style" at point-blank.
Turkish post-mortem examinations also revealed that a total of 30 bullets were found in the bodies of the nine dead activists. One of the activists had been shot four times in the head.
The UN's findings about the brutal incident, which left nine Turkish activists dead and dozens of others wounded, was expected out this week.
According to Turkish foreign ministry, Israel is behind the delay in the publication of the long-awaited UN report, also known as the Palmer report.
"The demand to postpone (the announcement) came from Israel, like the previous demands," Selcuk Unal, the spokesperson for the Turkish foreign ministry told Turkey's Anatolia news agency on Monday.
This is while Israeli media claimed that Ankara had demanded the delay.
Tel Aviv has been hard trying to mend its damaged relations with Ankara before the publication of the UN report.
Turkey has repeatedly said that relations between the two sides can only be restored if Tel Aviv apologizes for the attack, compensates the families of those killed and the injured, and lifts its crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Israel has reportedly agreed to a payout but is resisting calls to apologize, proposing instead to express regret.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Tel Aviv ''definitely will not apologize to Turkey'' over the flotilla attack.
On May 31, 2010, Israeli commandos attacked the six-vessel Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters to prevent the convoy from breaking the crippling Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.
In the assault, nine Turkish nationals, including a teenager with dual Turkish-US citizenship, were killed and dozens of others were left wounded.
Turkey said that some of the victims had been shot "execution-style" at point-blank.
Turkish post-mortem examinations also revealed that a total of 30 bullets were found in the bodies of the nine dead activists. One of the activists had been shot four times in the head.
21 aug 2011
'Turkey still waiting for Israeli apology'
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
Turkey says its relations with Israel will be strained further if Tel Aviv does not make a formal apology for its deadly attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in 2010.
"There can be no normalization with Israel if Turkey's demands are not met," the Anatolia news agency quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as saying during a visit to South Africa on Saturday, AFP reported.
On May 31, 2010, Israeli navy commandos attacked the Gaza Freedom Flotilla while it was in international waters, killing nine Turkish nationals and wounding at least 40 others on the Mavi Marmara, one of the six vessels of the convoy.
Israel has rejected repeated calls from Ankara calling for it to pay compensation to the families of the victims and to issue a formal apology.
Davutoglu's reiteration of Ankara's demand comes as a United Nations report on the flotilla incident is due to be released soon.
Publication of the report has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences.
But the Turkish foreign minister said that relations between his country and Israel would only worsen if an apology did not come following the UN report.
"Relations will not remain as they are now, they will deteriorate even more… The current situation cannot be sustained," he stated.
According to Turkish diplomats, Ankara could further downgrade its representation in Tel Aviv. It has only maintained a charge d'affaires there since recalling its ambassador after the May 2010 attack.
Turkey says its relations with Israel will be strained further if Tel Aviv does not make a formal apology for its deadly attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in 2010.
"There can be no normalization with Israel if Turkey's demands are not met," the Anatolia news agency quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as saying during a visit to South Africa on Saturday, AFP reported.
On May 31, 2010, Israeli navy commandos attacked the Gaza Freedom Flotilla while it was in international waters, killing nine Turkish nationals and wounding at least 40 others on the Mavi Marmara, one of the six vessels of the convoy.
Israel has rejected repeated calls from Ankara calling for it to pay compensation to the families of the victims and to issue a formal apology.
Davutoglu's reiteration of Ankara's demand comes as a United Nations report on the flotilla incident is due to be released soon.
Publication of the report has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences.
But the Turkish foreign minister said that relations between his country and Israel would only worsen if an apology did not come following the UN report.
"Relations will not remain as they are now, they will deteriorate even more… The current situation cannot be sustained," he stated.
According to Turkish diplomats, Ankara could further downgrade its representation in Tel Aviv. It has only maintained a charge d'affaires there since recalling its ambassador after the May 2010 attack.
20 aug 2011
Turkey warns ties will worsen without Israel apology
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned Saturday that relations with Israel will further deteriorate without an apology over a deadly 2010 flotilla raid.
"There can be no normalization with Israel if Turkey's demands are not met," the Anatolia news agency quoted him as saying during a visit to South Africa.
Diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey have been in crisis since Israeli commandos staged a deadly raid on the international aid flotilla trying to reach Gaza in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade on the Palestinian territory.
Nine Turkish nationals were killed in the operation, and Turkey says its once-close relationship with Israel can only be restored with an apology for the deaths. Until now, Israel has refused.
A United Nations report into the flotilla affair, whose publication has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences, was due to be released soon.
Davutoglu said that relations between his country and Israel would only worsen if an apology was not forthcoming following the report's release.
"Relations will not remain as they are now, they will deteriorate even more... The current situation cannot be sustained," he said.
According to Turkish diplomats, Ankara could further downgrade its representation in Tel Aviv. It maintained a charge d'affaires there after recalling its ambassador following the May 2010 raid.
"There can be no normalization with Israel if Turkey's demands are not met," the Anatolia news agency quoted him as saying during a visit to South Africa.
Diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey have been in crisis since Israeli commandos staged a deadly raid on the international aid flotilla trying to reach Gaza in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade on the Palestinian territory.
Nine Turkish nationals were killed in the operation, and Turkey says its once-close relationship with Israel can only be restored with an apology for the deaths. Until now, Israel has refused.
A United Nations report into the flotilla affair, whose publication has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences, was due to be released soon.
Davutoglu said that relations between his country and Israel would only worsen if an apology was not forthcoming following the report's release.
"Relations will not remain as they are now, they will deteriorate even more... The current situation cannot be sustained," he said.
According to Turkish diplomats, Ankara could further downgrade its representation in Tel Aviv. It maintained a charge d'affaires there after recalling its ambassador following the May 2010 raid.
18 aug 2011
Turkey 'plans diplomatic assault' after Israel refuses apology
Turkey plans to launch a diplomatic and legal assault on Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to apologize for the 2010 raid on the Gaza aid flotilla, Israeli media said.
Israel's Haaretz newspaper says Turkey now intends to implement "Plan B", which will include a campaign in UN institutions, with an emphasis on the International Court of Justice.
Turkey also plans to encourage the families of the nine victims to file suits against senior Israeli figures in European courts and reduce the level of ties with Israel, according to the report citing foreign ministry sources.
Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said Wednesday that as long as Israel does not "apologize, pay compensation and remove the embargo over Gaza, it is impossible to heal relations between Turkey and Israel."
Israel's 2010 botched operation left nine Turkish nationals dead and sparked a diplomatic crisis with Ankara.
A United Nations report into the flotilla affair, whose publication has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences, is due to be released on August 20.
Israel's Haaretz newspaper says Turkey now intends to implement "Plan B", which will include a campaign in UN institutions, with an emphasis on the International Court of Justice.
Turkey also plans to encourage the families of the nine victims to file suits against senior Israeli figures in European courts and reduce the level of ties with Israel, according to the report citing foreign ministry sources.
Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said Wednesday that as long as Israel does not "apologize, pay compensation and remove the embargo over Gaza, it is impossible to heal relations between Turkey and Israel."
Israel's 2010 botched operation left nine Turkish nationals dead and sparked a diplomatic crisis with Ankara.
A United Nations report into the flotilla affair, whose publication has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences, is due to be released on August 20.
17 aug 2011
Report: Israel PM 'snubs Clinton' over Turkey apology
An activist wounded when Israel commandos seized a Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza, reaches hospital in Ankara last June.
Israel has rejected a US request to apologize to Turkey over its 2010 commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine Turkish activists, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
Unsourced reports by Israel's two main radio stations said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday with a direct request that he make an apology -- but he turned her down.
"He said Israel has no intention of apologizing at this time and that he is waiting for the publication of a report by the UN secretary general," army radio said.
A United Nations report into the flotilla affair, whose publication has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences, is due to be released on August 20.
Israeli daily Ynet earlier reported that Israeli diplomats in Washington had passed on a message from Clinton saying the Israel-Turkey crisis was interfering with US attempts to deal with the bloodshed in Syria.
A similar message was given to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak when he visited Washington in late July, when Clinton asked him to do everything in his power to resolve the crisis -- "including apologize," the paper said.
In May 2010, Israeli commandos stormed a Turkish ferry leading a six-ship flotilla attempting to break Israel's naval embargo on the Gaza Strip.
The botched operation left nine Turkish nationals dead and sparked a diplomatic crisis with Ankara, which immediately recalled its ambassador.
Since then, Turkey has demanded an Israeli apology for the bloodshed, as well as compensation for the victims' families.
Israel has steadfastly refused, although privately officials acknowledge that restoring the once-strong relationship with Ankara would be desirable.
The United States is looking to deepen its ties with Turkey, which shares a border with Syria, in a bid to better handle Syria's spiraling violence, and hopes an Israeli apology would facilitate that, Ynet said.
Israel has rejected a US request to apologize to Turkey over its 2010 commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine Turkish activists, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
Unsourced reports by Israel's two main radio stations said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday with a direct request that he make an apology -- but he turned her down.
"He said Israel has no intention of apologizing at this time and that he is waiting for the publication of a report by the UN secretary general," army radio said.
A United Nations report into the flotilla affair, whose publication has been postponed at least twice this year to allow time for the two sides to reconcile their differences, is due to be released on August 20.
Israeli daily Ynet earlier reported that Israeli diplomats in Washington had passed on a message from Clinton saying the Israel-Turkey crisis was interfering with US attempts to deal with the bloodshed in Syria.
A similar message was given to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak when he visited Washington in late July, when Clinton asked him to do everything in his power to resolve the crisis -- "including apologize," the paper said.
In May 2010, Israeli commandos stormed a Turkish ferry leading a six-ship flotilla attempting to break Israel's naval embargo on the Gaza Strip.
The botched operation left nine Turkish nationals dead and sparked a diplomatic crisis with Ankara, which immediately recalled its ambassador.
Since then, Turkey has demanded an Israeli apology for the bloodshed, as well as compensation for the victims' families.
Israel has steadfastly refused, although privately officials acknowledge that restoring the once-strong relationship with Ankara would be desirable.
The United States is looking to deepen its ties with Turkey, which shares a border with Syria, in a bid to better handle Syria's spiraling violence, and hopes an Israeli apology would facilitate that, Ynet said.
11 aug 2011
Israel offers to double restitution instead of apology to Turkey
Israel has offered to double compensation to the families of those killed in the May 2010 Mavi Marmara attack instead of officially apologizing for the attack as demanded by Turkey, the Israeli daily Ma’ariv reported on Thursday, quoting an Israeli political official.
The new proposal states that the amount to be paid to each of the nine Turkish victims’ families would be raised from US $50,000 to $100,000 in a bid to dodge the apology demand.
The official said Turkey has yet to respond to the offer which Israel hopes would end the diplomatic crisis between the two countries that followed the attack.
According to Ma’ariv, a meeting between Israeli and Turkish representatives is expected to be held in Washington next week in an effort to restore peace and end the crisis before the UN’s Palmer report based on investigations of what happened on the Mavi Marmara ship would be released.
Turkey has reiterated time and again its demands for an official apology, compensation, and an end to the Gaza siege before restoring damaged relations with Israel.
The new proposal states that the amount to be paid to each of the nine Turkish victims’ families would be raised from US $50,000 to $100,000 in a bid to dodge the apology demand.
The official said Turkey has yet to respond to the offer which Israel hopes would end the diplomatic crisis between the two countries that followed the attack.
According to Ma’ariv, a meeting between Israeli and Turkish representatives is expected to be held in Washington next week in an effort to restore peace and end the crisis before the UN’s Palmer report based on investigations of what happened on the Mavi Marmara ship would be released.
Turkey has reiterated time and again its demands for an official apology, compensation, and an end to the Gaza siege before restoring damaged relations with Israel.
8 aug 2011
Israel deputy PM: Turkey 'rude' to demand apology
Israel's deputy prime minister on Monday described as "rude" Turkey's demand that Israel apologize for the death of nine Turkish nationals killed in last year's raid on a Gaza bound aid flotilla, Israeli media said.
Speaking to Israeli Radio, Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon said "there was a provocation here that the Turkish government is also responsible for."
"It wasn't our side that spoiled relations, and I expect they will not [restore diplomatic relations] even after the apology," Yaalon told the radio station, according to Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post.
Israeli commandos raided a six-ship pro-Palestinian aid flotilla on May 31, 2010 killing nine activists aboard the leading vessel, the Mavi Marmara, and sparking global outrage.
A UN report into the incident has been repeatedly delayed, as ministers try to find a solution to the diplomatic impasse between the two countries.
Speaking to Israeli Radio, Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon said "there was a provocation here that the Turkish government is also responsible for."
"It wasn't our side that spoiled relations, and I expect they will not [restore diplomatic relations] even after the apology," Yaalon told the radio station, according to Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post.
Israeli commandos raided a six-ship pro-Palestinian aid flotilla on May 31, 2010 killing nine activists aboard the leading vessel, the Mavi Marmara, and sparking global outrage.
A UN report into the incident has been repeatedly delayed, as ministers try to find a solution to the diplomatic impasse between the two countries.
6 aug 2011
Turkey refuses to take part in joint naval exercises with Israel, USA
Turkish officials said that their country’s fleet would not take part in the annual naval exercises “Reliant Mermaid” launched by USA and Israel in the Mediterranean Sea for the second straight year.
Turkish daily Zaman on Friday quoted foreign ministry officials as saying that no “joint” exercises could be launched with Israel in light of the tense relations between them.
The last Turkish participation in the decade old drill was in summer 2009.
Ankara refused to participate in last year’s maneuvers to protest the Israeli naval attack on the Turkish ship Mavi Maramara, which was among a fleet of humanitarian aid sailing to Gaza Strip, killing nine Turkish activists and wounding many others.
Turkish daily Zaman on Friday quoted foreign ministry officials as saying that no “joint” exercises could be launched with Israel in light of the tense relations between them.
The last Turkish participation in the decade old drill was in summer 2009.
Ankara refused to participate in last year’s maneuvers to protest the Israeli naval attack on the Turkish ship Mavi Maramara, which was among a fleet of humanitarian aid sailing to Gaza Strip, killing nine Turkish activists and wounding many others.
30 july 2011
Turkish FM denies change in demand for Israel apology
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has denied changes in his country's position regarding dismal relations with Israel.
He said that Israel must meet Turkey's conditions before Turkey would normalize relations with it.
Doing away with tensions that have occurred in the diplomatic ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv since Israel's attack on the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship requires that the Israeli government meet the conditions declared by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Davutoglu said in a press statement on Friday.
Those conditions include apologizing for the attack on the Gaza aid ship, paying compensation to the victims' families, and ending the five-year blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Davutoglu went on to describe the conditions as ''core principles'' before dampened relations could be restored, denying that any changes have taken place in Turkey's position.
Turkey's relations with Israel have steadily spiraled over the past few years and hit rock bottom in 2010 when an Israeli naval force intercepted and attacked a Turkish ship delivering much needed aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, killing nine activists on board and injuring many more.
He said that Israel must meet Turkey's conditions before Turkey would normalize relations with it.
Doing away with tensions that have occurred in the diplomatic ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv since Israel's attack on the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship requires that the Israeli government meet the conditions declared by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Davutoglu said in a press statement on Friday.
Those conditions include apologizing for the attack on the Gaza aid ship, paying compensation to the victims' families, and ending the five-year blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Davutoglu went on to describe the conditions as ''core principles'' before dampened relations could be restored, denying that any changes have taken place in Turkey's position.
Turkey's relations with Israel have steadily spiraled over the past few years and hit rock bottom in 2010 when an Israeli naval force intercepted and attacked a Turkish ship delivering much needed aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, killing nine activists on board and injuring many more.
29 july 2011
'Israel not to apologize to Turkey'
Israel has said it will not apologize for killing nine Turkish activists onboard the Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters last year.
Israel's cabinet minister Moshe Yaalon said he has recently held three rounds of talks with Turkey, and that they are demanding an apology.
“We are not ready to apologize,” Yaalon said.
However, he did hint that there might be a change in their stance as there are some disputes over the issue within the Israeli cabinet.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Friday, after meeting with US administration officials that Israel needs to find a way to compromise with Turkey, Ynet News reported.
"I'm not talking about an apology for the (Gaza) blockade or an apology for the flotilla, but about saying that if any errors were made during the operation - we regret them," he said.
"I don't like it … but it's not a bad thing to have reasonable relations with Turkey,” he added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liebermen, however, has ruled out any apology.
The Israeli military attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 2010, killing nine Turkish nationals aboard the Turkish-flagged MV Mavi Marmara and injuring about 50 other activists that were part of the team on the six-ship convoy.
Since the attack took place, Turkey has demanded an apology.
Furthermore, Yaalon added that an upcoming UN report on the raid is expected to defend Israel's raid on the flotilla and the blockade of Gaza.
“The report includes very important conclusions for Israel, which put Turkey in the corner in terms of the justification for the blockade, the justification for stopping the flotilla and the justification for using force," Barak said when commenting about the upcoming UN report.
Israel has maintained a crippling siege of the Gaza Strip since 2007, and is facing mounting pressure from the international community to lift it.
Some 1.5 million people in Gaza are being denied basic rights, including the freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
Rights activists have made several symbolic attempts, at times successfully, to break the blockade.
Israel's cabinet minister Moshe Yaalon said he has recently held three rounds of talks with Turkey, and that they are demanding an apology.
“We are not ready to apologize,” Yaalon said.
However, he did hint that there might be a change in their stance as there are some disputes over the issue within the Israeli cabinet.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Friday, after meeting with US administration officials that Israel needs to find a way to compromise with Turkey, Ynet News reported.
"I'm not talking about an apology for the (Gaza) blockade or an apology for the flotilla, but about saying that if any errors were made during the operation - we regret them," he said.
"I don't like it … but it's not a bad thing to have reasonable relations with Turkey,” he added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liebermen, however, has ruled out any apology.
The Israeli military attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 2010, killing nine Turkish nationals aboard the Turkish-flagged MV Mavi Marmara and injuring about 50 other activists that were part of the team on the six-ship convoy.
Since the attack took place, Turkey has demanded an apology.
Furthermore, Yaalon added that an upcoming UN report on the raid is expected to defend Israel's raid on the flotilla and the blockade of Gaza.
“The report includes very important conclusions for Israel, which put Turkey in the corner in terms of the justification for the blockade, the justification for stopping the flotilla and the justification for using force," Barak said when commenting about the upcoming UN report.
Israel has maintained a crippling siege of the Gaza Strip since 2007, and is facing mounting pressure from the international community to lift it.
Some 1.5 million people in Gaza are being denied basic rights, including the freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
Rights activists have made several symbolic attempts, at times successfully, to break the blockade.
28 july 2011
Lieberman wants to eject Turkish workers amid showdown over ties with Turkey
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman wants to eject some 350 Turkish construction workers as Israel's relations with Turkey have spiraled after the 2010 flotilla attack.
Israeli ministers Ehud Barak and Lieberman have been at odds over whether to meet Turkey's condition of an apology over the attack before it would restore ties with Israel.
The workers were brought into Israel to upgrade tanks that the Israeli Military Industries was contracted to build under a defense agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to mull over Turkey's demands for an apology, compensation to be paid to the flotilla victims' families, and lift the blockade enforced on the Gaza Strip.
The war ministry wants to extend the workers' visas amid fears that ejecting the workers could dampen already dismal relations with Turkey.
Israeli ministers Ehud Barak and Lieberman have been at odds over whether to meet Turkey's condition of an apology over the attack before it would restore ties with Israel.
The workers were brought into Israel to upgrade tanks that the Israeli Military Industries was contracted to build under a defense agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to mull over Turkey's demands for an apology, compensation to be paid to the flotilla victims' families, and lift the blockade enforced on the Gaza Strip.
The war ministry wants to extend the workers' visas amid fears that ejecting the workers could dampen already dismal relations with Turkey.