Israel says no apology for Gaza ship raid
Source: Agencies |
September 5, 2011, Monday
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ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday he would not apologize to Turkey over an Israeli raid that killed nine Turks on a supply ship bound for Gaza, despite the expulsion of Israel's ambassador.
Last week Turkey froze all military pacts with Israel, expelled the ambassador and threatened legal sanctions after a UN report on the May 2010 action failed to produce an Israeli apology.
The report said Israel had used unreasonable force in raiding the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, but added that pro-Palestinian activists aboard mounted organised and violent resistance.
Turkey also wants an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza and compensation for the families of those killed in the raid.
Netanyahu said: "We do not need to apologise that the naval commandos defended themselves against violent activists.
"I hope a way can be found to overcome the dispute with Turkey. Israel never wanted its relations with Turkey to deteriorate and now, too, Israel is not interested in a deterioration in relations."
The UN report by a four-member panel said Israel's naval blockade of Gaza was a legitimate security measure to prevent weapons from reaching the enclave but the amount of force used by the Israeli commandos was "excessive and unreasonable."
Publication of the so-called Palmer report was delayed repeatedly to allow for months of talks between Israel and Turkey, once close strategic allies.
Turkey said it will now pursue criminal cases against Israeli officials responsible for the killings on board the Mavi Marmara.
Last week Turkey froze all military pacts with Israel, expelled the ambassador and threatened legal sanctions after a UN report on the May 2010 action failed to produce an Israeli apology.
The report said Israel had used unreasonable force in raiding the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, but added that pro-Palestinian activists aboard mounted organised and violent resistance.
Turkey also wants an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza and compensation for the families of those killed in the raid.
Netanyahu said: "We do not need to apologise that the naval commandos defended themselves against violent activists.
"I hope a way can be found to overcome the dispute with Turkey. Israel never wanted its relations with Turkey to deteriorate and now, too, Israel is not interested in a deterioration in relations."
The UN report by a four-member panel said Israel's naval blockade of Gaza was a legitimate security measure to prevent weapons from reaching the enclave but the amount of force used by the Israeli commandos was "excessive and unreasonable."
Publication of the so-called Palmer report was delayed repeatedly to allow for months of talks between Israel and Turkey, once close strategic allies.
Turkey said it will now pursue criminal cases against Israeli officials responsible for the killings on board the Mavi Marmara.
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