Israeli officials on Turkey: Enough is enough

On Wednesday night I reported that a Turkish Deputy Prime Minister had stated that the catch in negotiations between Israel and Turkey was not over money, but rather over an Israeli admission of culpability. Several 'Israeli officials' have now responded, blasting the Turks for abandoning a 'carefully crafted' formula (Hat Tip: Joshua I).

One Israeli official said that Arinc's comments reveal that Ankara is not genuinely interested in settling the dispute over the Mavi Marmara with Israel, but rather the aim is to humiliate Jerusalem.  "All of a sudden he says the money is not the issue. Indeed, they want to bring us to our knees and read the text that they dictate to us."

The official said that the formula for the apology was very carefully crafted, so as not to admit any Israeli legal culpability. Now, he said, this is no longer enough for the Turks. Regarding lifting the blockade on Gaza, Israel has made clear that it has no intention of doing so, and that it will ease restrictions there to the degree that the rocket and missile fire from the area onto Israel stops.

One senior Israeli official, when asked several weeks ago about the Turks apparent adding on conditions before returning their ambassador to Israel, replied that  "enough is enough," implying that Israel did what it felt it had to do to try and improve the ties with Turkey, but would go no further.

One Israeli  official said Thursday that while there was US pressure in the past on Israel to make gestures to to reconcile with Turkey, there is currently no such demands. Netanyahu did what the Americans expected him to do, the official said, and from their standpoint this whole episode should now be over.

Come on. You didn't really believe Turkey wanted to end the fight, did you? The real question is whether the Obama administration is going to pressure Israel to do even more. I'd bet on it.