Israel Matzav

Turkey denies UK mediating between it and Israel

Turkey has denied a report in Haaretz that claimed that the UK is mediating a reconciliation between Turkey and Israel. This is from the first link (Hat Tip: Joshua I).

The report claimed British Prime Minister David Cameron had asked Netanyahu whether he wanted to deliver a message to Erdoğan ahead of a meeting between the former and Erdoğan in London on July 27. The daily did not report on the content of Netanyahu’s message, but confirmed that Cameron had delivered it.

However, a Turkish official denied the report, telling Today’s Zaman that “Israel already knows what it needs to do, and that is to apologize to Turkey. Mediation by another country is not required for that.”

Relations between the long-time allies in the Middle East deteriorated sharply after Israeli commandos killed eight Turks and one Turkish-American during the 2010 raid of an aid ship trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Turkey has sued Israel at international platforms and courts, demanding an official apology and compensation for the families of the victims.

Israel has rejected these demands and claims its soldiers acted in self-defense. Turkey has also expelled the Israeli envoy and cut military ties with Israel in protest of the Israeli refusal to apologize for the killings.

There are two inaccuracies here, which are repeated over and over again by the Turkish media. One is that 'all' Turkey wants is an apology and compensation. They've demanded much more than that.

Second, the article makes it sound like the problems between Israel and Turkey started with the Mavi Marmara. That's not true. The Mavi Marmara incident was orchestrated by Turkey to lead to a breakdown in relations with Israel.

So no, I don't expect a reconciliation anytime soon.

Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, David Cameron, Davos Conference, Mavi Marmara, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Shimon Peres, Turkish obsession with Israel

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:18 AM