Netanyahu goes from bad to worse. This is abominable. He should never have apologized. He should be refusing to pay damages. Instead he should have demanded an apology. Ted Belman
PM fears right-wing backlash over costly compensation for Mavi Marmara casualties, while Erdogan has made new demands
By Stuart Winer and Lazar Berman, TOI
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly delayed approving the outline of a reconciliation agreement with Turkey for over a week because he is concerned that acceding to a $20 million compensation package will provoke the ire of right-wing political rivals.
According to reports in Hebrew media Thursday, 10 days ago a Turkish-Israeli negotiation team presented Netanyahu with a draft agreement aimed at resolving the diplomatic tensions between the countries. The agreement came with the positive recommendation of National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen, but the prime minister balked because of the sum that Turkey demanded in compensation for the deaths of nine of its citizens during the May 2010 ill-fated raid on the Mavi Marmara ferry.
In particular Netanyahu was concerned about criticism of the $20 million claim because he refused to pay out half that amount three years ago as part of an initial Turkish compensation plan, Army Radio reported.
Meanwhile, as Netanyahu mulled over the draft agreement, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan upped the stakes on Tuesday by stipulating that Israel also lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip before he would agree to a détente.
On Wednesday Israeli officials rejected the new Turkish demand.
The Mavi Marmara incident triggered an international outcry and exacerbated already strained relations between Turkey and Israel into a full-blown diplomatic crisis, with Ankara expelling the Israeli ambassador and demanding a formal apology and compensation.
Talks on compensation eventually began in March 2013 after Netanyahu extended a formal apology to Erdogan in a breakthrough telephone call brokered by US President Barack Obama during a landmark visit to Israel.
Turkish foreign ministry undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu was in Israel earlier this month to discuss the terms of an agreement, which would help normalize relations between Jerusalem and its once closest Muslim ally. Under the deal, Turkey would reportedly legislate to prevent lawsuits against Israel over the Mavi Marmara affair, and drop its objections to an upgrading of Israel’s relationship with NATO.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday there had been “momentum” in talks toward bridging the gaps.
“It would not be correct to provide a timeframe on such (delicate) issues but I can say that serious progress has been made in recent meetings,” Davutoglu told Turkish television.
“A historic step was taken with the apology… Now a second step will be taken with the compensation,” he said. “We are going through a period where the relations are the closest to normalization after Mavi Marmara.”
Passengers on the deck of the Mavi Marmara on May 31, 2010 (photo credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Office/ Flash 90)
Israeli media reports have said the compensation talks were revived in December when Israeli negotiators traveled to Istanbul and Turkey lowered its demands, which was neither confirmed nor denied by the Turkish side.
Davutoglu refused to disclose the amount of compensation being sought but hinted at “some positive developments.” He said he was in constant touch with Erdogan to discuss future steps to be taken after a deal including the appointment of an ambassador to Israel.
Turkey’s interest in reconciliation is also thought to be connected to its desire to purchase Israeli natural gas.
The mini sultan is trying extortion through blackmail.
@ jerrylaury:
Midnight express???
🙂
Instead of giving all that money directly to Turkey give it to Netanyahu with the instructions that he take it to Turkey and remain there the rest of his life.
Erdogan is a jihadist and will remain one. Jihadists do not have the word compromise in their vocabulary.
And if Israel’s apology to Turkey could have been explained before the Geneva Deal, after the Geneva Deal it is obvious that Obama’s appeasement of Iran will continue regardless of what gestures to Obama Israel makes.
This is what I wrote before the Geneva Deal:
Israel’s apology to Turkey. An explanation.
http://madisdead.blogspot.co.il/2013/03/israels-apology-to-turkey-explanation.html
This apology is so absurd that that it cannot be explained away by the simple capitulation by the PM and Bogie. Why would the PM reverse his stance after three years of refusing to apologize and to do that exactly at the time Obama was visiting? So obviously there is a connection. Would ANYTHING justify such an absurd apology? Well, yes, it would only make sense if it helps Israel defend itself against the existential threat coming from Iran. Would not some crucial quid pro quo from Obama regarding Iran be the only logical explanation? After all, Bibi and Bogie are not fools. The probability that both of them have taken leave of their senses to commit such an inexplicable blunder at exactly the same time is just too small.
When originally Netanyahu was unceremoniously dumped a short time into his first tenure, then his first run at betrayal, we correctly did so. Netanyahu was, is and will be unfit to lead our people. Regrettably we have a terrible habit of re electing or allowing the re infestation of our leadership by ghastly specimens.
Netanyahu is a devoid of principles speechster opportunist, some of my betters defined his actions as those of a coward. He has proven to be a liar, contriver, people user and one that has allowed assaults against good people by proxy and far worse is yet to come.
As soon as Erdogan announced that he was raising the stakes by requiring a removal of the blockade I posted the story on another social news site to which I contribute, and made it clear that IMO Netanyahu should now recant his apology, keep the 20 million and tell Erdogan to shove the whole deal up his keester. I am absolutely in agreement with Ted on this issue.
Making apology was a mistake. Israel has a right to defend its citizens from a harm. BB was pushed by President Obama to apologize. Is it not advisable to make the current US Administration pay the $20 Million+ compensation to the Turks as that apology was made to save President Obama from an embarrassment?
bernard ross Said:
Yamit had an identical comment posted on another thread.
My beliefs are SOLIDLY echoing those of Ted:
The amount of money is TOTALLY irrelevant , for it is a de facto admission to wrong doing.
This is not any different than having claims to j&s vs t-a.
If Judea and Samaria do not belong to Israel,neither does tel aviv.
If Israel has nothing to apologize for ( fuck Obama! Ok?) then, even more so it should have no need WHATSOEVER to pay …
This is a world gone TOTALLY mad!
arrrrrrrgggghhh!!!
🙁
I beleive that Israel, or israeli business interests, thinks the 20 mill will be recaptured in a couple of months of sales.