March 25, 2013 By Caroline Glick, FPM
US President Barack Obama was on the line when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to apologize for the deaths of nine Turkish protesters aboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara on May 31, 2010.
For those who don’t remember, the Mavi Marmara was a Turkish ship that set sail in a bid to break Israel’s lawful maritime blockade of Hamas-controlled Gaza’s coastline. When Israeli naval commandos boarded the ship to interdict it, passengers on deck attacked them – in breach of international maritime law. Soldiers were stabbed, bludgeoned and thrown overboard. In a misguided attempt to show the good faith of Israeli actions, the naval commandos were sent aboard the ship armed with paintball guns. As a consequence, the soldiers pressed to defend themselves. In the hand-to-hand combat that ensued, nine of the Turkish attackers were killed.
The Mavi Marmara was an eminently predictable fight. The Turkish group that hired the boat was an al-Qaeda-affiliated Turkish NGO named IHH. In 1999, the Turkish government was so wary of IHH that it barred the group from participating in relief efforts following a devastating earthquake.
IHH’s fortunes shifted with the rise of its fellow Islamists in the AKP Justice and Development Party led by Recep Tayip Erdogan. The AKP won the 2002 elections and has since been reelected twice.
By 2010, Prime Minster Erdogan had a long track record of anti-Israel actions. Indeed, by 2010, Erdogan had effectively destroyed the strategic alliance Israel had developed with Turkey since 1949. In 2006, Erdogan was the first major international leader and NATO member to host Hamas terror chief Ismail Haniyeh. The same year he allowed Iran to use Turkish territory to transfer weaponry to Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War.
In 2008, Erdogan openly sided with Hamas against Israel in Operation Cast Lead. In 2009, he called President Shimon Peres a murderer to his face.
By the time the flotilla to Gaza was organized, Erdogan had used Turkey’s position as a NATO member to effectively end the US-led alliance’s cooperative relationship with Israel, by refusing to participate in military exercises with Israel.
Following the incident, rather than apologize for his allied NGO’s gross violation of international maritime law and acts of wanton aggression against Israeli forces, Erdogan doubled down. He removed Turkey’s ambassador from Israel. He demanded an apology as a condition for the restoration of relations. He had his court system open show trials against IDF soldiers and commanders. He stepped up his exploitation of Turkey’s NATO membership to block substantive military cooperation between Israel and NATO. And he cultivated close economic and political ties with Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood.
At the same time, Erdogan has cultivated close ties with President Barack Obama and his administration, and has spent millions of dollars on lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill to neutralize congressional opposition to his hostile behavior towards Israel and the US.
For three years Israel refused to apologize to Turkey. And then Obama came to Israel for a visit, and before he left the country, he had Netanyahu on the phone with Erdogan, apologizing for the loss of life of the Turkish protesters who stabbed and bludgeoned Israeli soldiers. Netanyahu also offered restitution to their families.
Israeli President Shimon Peres sought to silence the public outcry in Israel against Netanyahu’s action by soothingly saying that it was done to bury the past and move on to a better day in relations with Turkey. IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz publicly backed Netanyahu’s actions, saying it was necessary to cultivate Turkish cooperation for dealing with the situation in Syria, which is rapidly spiraling out of control. Israeli and international concerns that all or parts of Syria’s massive arsenal of chemical and biological weapons, as well as its ballistic missiles, will fall into the hands of jihadist forces have risen as jihadists, allied with al-Qaeda, have come to dominate the opposition to the Syrian regime.
Israel’s own concerns regarding the civil war in Syria have also escalated as rebel forces – affiliated with al-Qaeda — have taken over sections of the border region. UN observer forces deployed along Israel’s border with Syria since 1974 have been fleeing in droves, for Israel and Jordan. Earlier in the month, rebel forces took dozens of observer forces from the Philippines hostage for several days.
Given the situation, the main questions that arise from Israel’s apology to Turkey are as follows: Is it truly a declaration with little intrinsic meaning, as Peres intimated? Should it simply be viewed as a means of overcoming a technical block to renewing Israel’s strategic alliance with Turkey? In other words, will the apology facilitate Turkish cooperation in stemming the rise of jihadist forces in Syria, and blocking the transfer of chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missiles to such actors? Finally, what does Obama’s central role in producing Israel’s apology say about his relationship with the Jewish state and the consequences of his visit on Israel’s alliance with the US and its position in the region? And finally, what steps should Israel consider in light of these consequences?
On Saturday, the Arab League convened in Doha, Qatar and discussed Israel’s apology to Turkey and its ramifications for pan-Arab policy. The Arab League member states considered the prospect of demanding similar apologies for its military operations in Lebanon, Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
The Arab League’s discussions point to the true ramifications of the apology for Israel. By apologizing for responding lawfully to unlawful aggression against the State of Israel and its armed forces, Israel did two things. First, Israel humiliated itself and its soldiers, and so projected an image of profound weakness. Due to this projected image, Israel has opened itself up to further demands for it to apologize for its other responses to acts of unlawful war and aggression against the state, its territory and its citizens from other aggressors. The Arab League like most of its member nations is in an official state of war with Israel. The Arabs wish to see Israel destroyed. Kicking a nation when it is down is a perfectly rational way for states that wish other states ill to behave. And so the Arab League’s action was eminently predictable.
As for the future of Israel-Turkish cooperation on Syria, two things must be borne in mind. First, on Saturday Erdogan claimed that Netanyahu’s apology was insufficient to restore Turkish-Israel relations. He claimed that before he could take any concrete actions to restore relations, Israel would first have to compensate the families of the passengers from the Mavi Marmara killed while assaulting IDF soldiers with deadly force.
Beyond that, it is far from clear that Turkey shares Israel’s interests in preventing the rise of a jihadist regime in Syria allied with al-Qaeda. More than any other actor, Erdogan has played a central role in enabling the early jihadist penetration and domination of the ranks of the US-supported Syrian opposition forces. It is far from clear that the man who enabled these jihadists from rising to power shares Israel’s interest in preventing them from seizing Syria’s weapons of mass destruction. Moreover, if Turkey does share Israel’s interest in preventing the Syrian opposition from taking control over the said arsenals, it would cooperate with Israel in accomplishing this goal with or without an Israeli apology for its takeover of the Mavi Marmara.
So if interests, rather than sentiments dictate Turkey’s actions on Syria, as they dictate the interests of the Arab League in kicking Israel when it is perceived as being down, what does Obama’s central role in compelling Israel to apologize to Turkey tell us about his attitude towards Israel and how his attitude towards Israel is perceived by Israel’s neighbors, including Iran?
By forcing Israel to apologize to Turkey, Obama effectively forced Israel to acknowledge that it is in the wrong for lawful actions by its military taken in defense of international law and of Israel’s national security. That is, Obama sided with the aggressor – Turkey – over the victim – Israel. And in so doing, he signaled, deliberately or inadvertently, to the rest of Israel’s neighbors that the US is no longer siding with Israel in regional disputes. As a consequence, they now feel that it is reasonable for them to press their advantage and demand further Israeli apologies for daring to defend itself from their aggression.
Whether or not Obama meant to send this message, this is a direct consequence of his visit. Now Israel needs to consider its options for moving forward. For Israel’s allies in Congress, it is important to take a strong position on the issue. Members of Congress and Senate would do well to pass resolutions stating their conviction that Israel, while within its own rights to apologize, operated with reasonable force and wholly in accordance with international law in its interdiction of the Mavi Marmara, which was on an illegal voyage to provide aid and comfort for an internationally recognized terrorist organization in contravention of binding UN Security Council resolution 1379 from September 2001, which prohibits the proffering of such aid. Congress should enjoin the administration to issue a declaration noting US support for Israel in its actions to defend itself from aggression in all forms, including from Hamas-controlled Gaza.
Second, Israel should scale back the level of military assistance it receives from the US. While Obama was in Israel, he pledged to expand US military assistance to Israel in the coming years. By unilaterally scaling back US assistance and developing its domestic military industries, Israel would send a strong signal to its neighbors that it is not completely dependent on the US and as a consequence, the level of US support for Israel does not determine Israel’s capacity to continue to defend itself.
On a wider level, it is important for Israel to develop the means to end its dependency on the US. Under Obama, despite the support of the great majority of the public, the US has become an undependable ally to Israel, and indeed to the rest of the US’s allies as well. The more quickly Israel can minimize its dependence, the better it will be for Israel, for the US and for the stability of the region. The apology to Turkey was a strategic error. To minimize its consequences, Israel must boldly assert its interests in Syria, Iran, and throughout the region.
drjb Said:
Bugs Bunny.
I most say that I like Caroline, but lately, I have gotten tired of her rhetoric. I’ve been reading her material for years now, I mostly agree with much of what she has to say, but it’s what she doesn’t say that bothers me. By her refusal to openly endorse someone, other than Bibi, whom she has been critical of, her words lack punch.
There are those in Israeli politics who share her views and agree with her suggestions and proposed plans of action, and yet she will not openly support them. How long will she keep on writing about all these critical issues in such a depressing and helpless way and yet offer no political hope or direction.
Bibi is Bibi, and Bibi can’t or won’t deliver, according to her. So please stop describing the same problems as brilliantly as you do, because we get it. You are right. Just please tell us who can do a better job than Bibi. Otherwise, please stop writing. You’re getting me depressed.
Laura Said:
I thought that many articles on the subject were stronger in condemning the apology and in saying what was wrong with it. I usually think that Caroline was the best in making her case. Not this time. I expected more from her.
“In the hand-to-hand combat that ensued, nine of the Turkish attackers were killed.”
Krav Maga really works! Awesome!!
Hey Ted, where did you get this article? It’s not at her blog yet and I didn’t see it at the JP site this morning PST.
NormanF Said:
I applaud your sentiment, but renewing tax revenue transfers to the PA is nothing like jizya. Israel controls the purse strings, not the other way around. If it ever really got that bad, Jews in Israel would never be allowed to pay jizya.
I think we should step back and take a look at the current situation’ss total picture objectively without predicting what is going to happen. Israel’s surrounding environment in the last few years has been a stormy sea for anyone to navigate. Short of outright war I cannot imagine a more dangerous set of circumstances: the Iranians, the egyptians, Hamas. Hezbullah, Syria, Obama, the EU, the UN, Erdogan,etc. It is absolutely astounding the trials that Israel has been facing. what is even more astounding is where Israel stands at this very moment compared to the dangers we all saw facing her in the last few years. All around Israael, near and far, everyone who has been arrrayed against Israel has in varying degrees been undergoing trouble. In the ME surrounding Israel are 3 hostile states which are falling apart: Egypt, Syria, Lebanon; they are becoming failed states and Israels position in relation to them has strengthened. The Iranian proxies are in trouble and being defanged; The EU has been undergoing financial crisis; Obama has had to retreat from his positions and I believe will seek his legacy elswhere and in things that guarantee him success and credit(like the apology); Erdogans caliphate ambitions have descended into clownish buffoonery and empty threats to all; hamas had to flee syria and accept being put on the saudi, egyptian, qatar leash in gaza; Saudi, qatar, GCC have bigger problems and the pal terror card strengthened Iran against them(I beleive they are keeping the PA and hamas quiet); All the EU and UN noise is resulting in nothing but a show and i think it will lose steam as EU problems grow; all of those who gave Israel problems are currently destabilizing Israels enemies. i never thought I would say this but I think BB and even Barak deserve some credit fro bringing Israel through this very difficult period to be stronger today. I have regularly criticized BB and totally rake Barak, but I have to admit that when I step back and look at the current situation for Israel I don’t think it could have improved better than it has when considering the dangers it faced. I believe they navigated the ship through stormy waters. I agreed with very little of their behavior thus far, especially YS, but it may be that they are aware of things that we aren’t . Strangely, Israel is an island of stability and strength in a sea of chaos. Frankly, I think that Israel is being blessed at this moment, perhaps it is the covenant in action(I am sure that Yamit will have something pertinent to say on this) 🙂 A good Pesach to you all!
@ Ted Belman:
Why would you say that? I thought it was up to her standard.
Netanyahu took a decision to permanently renew tax revenue transfer to the Jew and Israel hating PA today.
I suppose its quite fitting – if you can apologize to the Turks, why not – like a good dhimmi, resume paying the jiyzah tax to the Arabs?
Its a reflection on the quality or lack of Jewish pride, apparent in Israel’s leaders today.
Well-timed, I might add for Passover!
Ted Belman Said:
I disagree. This article is timely and inspired. I thank Caroline for her hard work that we needed. I’m surprised that she found it a subject to address and having the read the article, I agree with her sense of imperative.
But it’s true that it remains that what is respected discourse for anything having to do with Israel, nothing Israel does is right. And from those standards it is just as easy to conclude that nothing Israel does is wrong either. But somebody has to have a grip on things. Caroline does and so does anyone who can see that Israel’s enforcement of Gaza’s blockade was just, is just, and well above international standards of military conduct.
Notice that she does not fault Netanyahu for the apology. What Bibi can see and we can see are two different things. We can guess that Obama abused Netanyahu the same way he did when Netanyahu repeatedly visited the US. This can wear anyone down eventually and especially when applied deliberately and precisely.
Unless the arabs have something to offer israel, any demands for “apologies” are futile and silly.
sending signals is less important than actually taking the actions to boldly assert interests. If Israel is taking actions it need rely less on sending the clowns the correct “signals”. There may be specific military or other gains from the turkey “apology” that give Israel real advantage as opposed to being concerned with sending signals to muslims. If Israel is truly in an existential situation with Iran then this is a military problem requiring of a military solution which may involve tactics and strategies with hidden purposes. If Israel is not at war then “signals” move up the priority ladder. All of the arguments in the con are about pride, signal sending, morality; these become secondary in war. perhaps there is a scenario to defang syria, hezbullah and then destbilize Iran internally and perhaps this requires a level of cooperation and coordination. any defanging by others first is of value to Israel. Israel must know how to measure the pros and cons of situations and these pros and cons must be more substantial than the sending of “signals”.
@ Bear Klein:
I have already told them on numerous occasions!
@ Dean:
The Arab League can go to HELL
The Meaning and Consequences of Israel’s Apology to Turkey
It is a bit too soon to know the outcome of the apology. If Erodgan persists and does not normalize formal relations. Bibi could definetly at the right time walk back the apology. Erogdan hates Israel. Nothing is going to change that not even Obama. The best that could of the apology is that Erodgan shortly just starts ignoring Israel. Israel obtains the cooperation it needs with Turkey in vital issues of security and business continues to increase.
Caroline is correct that Israel needs to in due course needs to lessen the dependency on the USA. For one when the Gas revenues hopefully fill the coffers a bit more, Israel will start weaning itself from USA aid. Eventually it should take no aid. The aid has strings attached some written, some unwritten. These strings keeps Israel from being independent.
Thats the bottom line.
Why is it always considered wrong when Israel takes necessary steps to defend its sovereignty and her people?
Hamas can continue to rocket Israel and the silence is deafening and as soon as Israel’s IDF undertakes an operation to take out the terrorist aggression, loud voices throughout the world cry foul, followed by false accusations of brutality against Israel.
Ovomit is a true anti-Semite who embraces Islam and is no friend of Israel.
The hesitation by Erdogan to accept is grounds alone for rescinding Israel’s apology.
The idea that the Arab League will take this as a precedent and ask for further apologies is disturbing as is the fact that Obama has indicated a preference for terrorism over the rule of law in pushing Israel to apologize for its lawful act of self-defense. It is also weird that before Israel prostrated itself at Turkey’s feet that the deal was not finalized and so Erdogan has the option to back out (and I hope he does). If he does not, then Israel must eat crow and rescind its apology, citing a misunderstanding. Perhaps Israel could attach the demand that Turkey not allow/sponsor another terror mission or some other demand that Turkey will never accede. The inversion of reality on the world stage continues full-steam ahead with Obama as the leader of obfuscation, historical revisionism, and leftist dhimmitude. Why is Israel following his lead?
Caroline must have been in a hurry. This article is not up to her regular standard.