Netanyahu Will Neither Apologize to Turkey Nor Pay Compensations for Victims of the Israeli Massacre of Freedom Flotilla Raid

Netanyahu: “Israel Will Not Apologize To Turkey, Will Not Pay Compensations”

Saturday July 03, 2010 01:20 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli occupation government prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, held Turkey fully responsible for Israel’s attack against the Turkish ships trying to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza, and stated that Israel will not apologize to the attack, and will not pay compensations to the victims and their families.

Netanyahu added that although Defense Minister, Benjamin Ben Eliezer, and Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, did not achieve any real understanding, yet the importance of the meeting is that it was held despite Turkish threats and statements to cut its ties of Israel after its attack against the Turkish ship.

He said that the meeting is part of the efforts to stop the deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel.

Ben Eliezer and Davutoglu held an unofficial meeting at Zurich Airport. Netanyahu said that the meeting is step in the right direction, but also stated that Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, should have been informed about it.

As for the Turkish demands, Netanyahu said that Israel “cannot apologize” and claimed that the soldiers “had to defend themselves”.

He also denied reports that stated that Israel is weighing the possibility of paying compensations to the wounded and the families of the slain activists.

Nine activists were killed and dozens were wounded when the Israeli army attacked the Turkish Ship, Marmara, while on its way to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza. The soldiers seized the ship and all other ships of the Freedom Flotilla and towed them to Ashdod Port.

Netanyahu Will Not Apologize to Turkey for the Flotilla Raid

Published today (updated) 03/07/2010 16:57

Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies -

Israeli occupation government prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, will not apologize to Turkey for the deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship which left nine Turkish citizens dead, Israeli press reported Friday.

In an interview broadcast on Israel's Channel 1, Netanyahu said "Israel cannot apologize for our soldiers being forced to defend themselves against the mob that almost slaughtered them," Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

The prime minister also insisted during the broadcast that compensation was "not under discussion," for the families of the nine civilians shot dead by Israeli commandos who commandeered the aid ships.

Describing the meeting between the Turkish foreign minister and the Israeli minister for trade and industry as a positive step towards repairing relations between the countries, Netanyahu added "It is not in the interest of Israel, or even Turkey, that this relationship continue to deteriorate."

Turkey withdrew its ambassador from Tel Aviv and canceled a number of joint military exercises following the raid, which occurred in international waters on 13 May, and sparked international condemnation.

Turkish organizers said "This operation was hostile from the very beginning, directed towards killing and killing as many as possible. Israeli soldiers did not open fire on the ships as a warning. They opened fire to kill," in a report released Tuesday.

Calls for an international investigation by the UN Security Council have not been heeded, with Israel instead choosing to form an internal inquiry team with two international observers. The inquiry has been criticized for its narrow scope.

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