Israel Matzav

Turks wounded in Mavi Marmara to continue lawsuits

Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu's apology for operational errors on the Mavi Marmara, Turks who were wounded in the incident are going to continue to press their lawsuits against Israel in Turkish courts.

"We will continue with the criminal lawsuits we have opened against the Israeli soldiers and commanders, and we won't accept dropping this suit if compensation is paid," said Musa Cogas, who was wounded by Israeli gunfire on board the Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara, part of the Gaza-bound flotilla.

An Istanbul court is hearing charges that have been filed against four of Israel's most senior retired commanders, including the ex-army chief, in absentia and could carry life sentences. Israel has called this a politically motivated "show trial".
Ahmet Varol, a journalist who was on the Mavi Marmara, said one "formula for a resolution" would be for Israel to provide a timetable for ending the blockade of Gaza, ruled by the Islamist Hamas movement, and make Turkey a monitor of that process.
"Our efforts are for the full lifting of the blockade. Nobody wants compensation, and while an apology may have diplomatic meaning, it means nothing to the victims," he said.
The apology nonetheless showed Israel had accepted its wrongdoing in the incident, Varol added.

...

"It's not possible to heal my wounds with just an apology," said Cogas, who was shot in the shoulder by Israeli marines. His friend of 30 years, Cengiz Songur, was killed in the raid. "Unless these soldiers are punished and the blockade is lifted..., we won't accept compensation." 

I didn't expect our relations with Turkey to go back to what they once were, but now I would not expect them to be restored at all any time soon. Another Obama failure. 

Labels: Mavi Marmara, outrageous apologies, Turkish obsession with Israel

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:40 AM