Yaalon Pessimistic on Relations with Turkey: ’’Israel’’ Won’t Apologize

Local Editor

"Israeli" Vice Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon poured cold water on any hopes of launching a new
chapter in "Israel's" relations with Turkey, saying that "he did not see any possibility for reconciliation with Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government."
 
"Ynet" website quoted Yaalon as saying "I cannot bring about an agreement when the Turkish stubborn stance is as it is."

"The vice PM is the "Israeli" government-appointed envoy in discussions with Turkish over the Palmer report, which aims to probe the events of the first Gaza flotilla," "Ynet" clarified.
 
He claimed that "following the UN's Palmer report, which determined that "Israel's" blockade on Gaza and its military involvement in the prevention of the flotilla were legitimate, he believed that Ankara would reconsider its stance, but that was not the case."
 
"There is no change in the Turkish stance towards "Israel" and that did not start with the flotilla, but before hand," Yaalon added

The Palmer committee will only be presenting its findings to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon next week. Mean while, reports from earlier this month said that its members, international experts and representatives from Turkey and "Israel", determined that the "Israeli Navy" used excessive force.
 
"Our soldiers were defending themselves on board the Marmara, it was self defense. The fact that they didn't have to defend themselves on the other vessels - was because they weren't attacked. So there is no room for an apology," the "Israeli" PM noted.
 
Claiming that the "compensatory payments would be de facto acceptance of responsibility and that's without even addressing the Turkish demand to remove the blockade. The blockade is legal according to all international agreements and the Palmer report," Yaalon presented a pessimistic outlook on the ties with Turkey "which is why with that kind of Turkish stance I don't see any possibility to bridge the gaps. Over the last few days there is a sense of psychological warfare coming from both Ankara and "Jerusalem"."
 
"My stance is very clear: I am not willing to use the word apology, while the Turkish prime minister insists on it.... If there is an agreement with Turkey they will suddenly change their position and say the blockade is legal? I don't see that possibility," he said.


Source: "YNet" News