Israel sees no reason to apologize for Marmara incident'

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Israel sees no reason to apologize for Marmara incident'  

In briefing to Turkish media, Foreign Minister reportedly says Israel is "ready to discuss" the issue as part of deal with Turkey aimed at restoring diplomatic ties • Lieberman defends Israel's response to Mamara, saying it was "a clear provocation and it was our right to protect the lives of our soldiers."
Israel Hayom Staff

In light of the unrest in Syria and the threat of Iran's nucelar program, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is reportedly open to apologizing to Turkey to strenghten diplomatic ties.

The English-language Turkish daily, Today's Zaman, reported on Monday that Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman "sees no reason why Israel must apologize" to Turkey for the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, but that Israel is prepared to discuss the issue as part of a package deal with Turkey aimed at reviving diplomatic ties between the countries.

In May 2010, Israeli Naval commandos were attacked by passengers on the Mavi Marmara after boarding the ship to enforce Israel's naval blockade on the Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish nationals were killed in the ensuing violence and several Israeli soldiers were wounded.

Lieberman    told a group of Turkish journalists in Jerusalem on Sunday evening that while he "sees no reason why Israel must apologize ... we are ready to discuss the issue at the table," according to Today's Zaman.

Another Turkish daily, the Hurriyet Daily News, quoted Lieberman as saying that "As Israel, we are ready to discuss our problems with Turkey in high-level or low-level open meetings... But we're not ready to discuss in what way we will protect our citizens."

Hurriyet quoted the Foreign Minister as saying: "The Mavi Marmara mission was a clear provocation and it was our right to protect the lives of our soldiers. Frankly speaking, Israel has no reason to apologize. Even if Israel apologizes for the attack, that will change nothing."

Today's Zaman quoted Lieberman as saying that Israel is only willing to take up the issue of an apology in a package, together with "many other issues such as the Iranian problem, the Gaza Strip and support for Hamas."

"I think we have much more common interests between the two countries than contradictions," Lieberman was quoted as saying. "Maybe today that is more clear considering the Syrian issue sic."

Lieberman, according to Today's Zaman, maintained that an apology from Israel would not improve relations between Turkey and Israel. He reportedly said: "An apology will change nothing. There is a long list of conditions demanded by Turkey such as the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, with Israel drawing back to the borders before 1967."

Today's Zaman said the "hawkish" Lieberman was "surprisingly" moderate in regards to finding a solution to the Mavi Marmara incident, which, according to the Turkish daily, he called an "accident."

"I don't think we are absolutely right. And I don't think we are absolutely wrong. The truth is in the middle," reportedly adding that it would not be a realistic approach to put all the blame on Israel.

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http://www.iraq-war.ru/article/275060