2013-03-25 12:42:39
Φωτογραφία για Μια ισραηλινή απολογία προς την Τουρκία
An Israeli Apology to Turkey

by Daniel Pipes

On Feb. 27, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told a conference in Vienna, "Just like

Zionism, anti-Semitism and fascism, Islamophobia must be regarded as a crime

against humanity."

His calling the Jewish nationalist movement that built

the State of Israel a "crime against humanity" prompted widespread

criticism, including by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

On Mar. 19, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced, "I stand behind my remarks in

Vienna." Nonetheless, on Mar. 22, Binyamin Netanyahu issued the long-awaited

apology to Turkey for the Mavi Marmara incident. His statement made it clear

"that the tragic results regarding the Mavi Marmara were unintentional and

that Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life. In light of the


Israeli investigation into the incident, which pointed out several

operational errors, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized to the Turkish

people for any errors that could have led to loss of life and agreed to

complete the agreement on compensation."

My take: Erdoğan's government has mastered the art of provocation and is

being rewarded for it. The Israelis should not have apologized but should

have demanded an apology from Ankara for its support to the

terrorist-connected group that undertook this aggressive act.

Now that the deed is done, can we expect a change in Turkish policy toward

Israel, an end to its aggressive statements and support for its enemies?

That would surprise me. Rather, I expect the AKP government to pocket this

apology and use as a building block for its neo-Ottoman empire. (March 22,

2013)

Mar. 23, 2013 update: Since the apology was issued, speculation has raged

over Netanyahu's motives: It's part of a deal over Iran, perhaps, or the

result of massive U.S. pressure? Now he has gone public with his reasoning:

"The fact that the crisis in Syria intensifies from moment to moment was the

main consideration in my view." Yaakov Amidror, Netanyahu's national

security adviser, was a bit more specific: "Between us and Turkey is a

country that is falling apart and that has chemical weapons."

Comment: Which raises the obvious question: Why do Syrian chemical weapons

weigh more heavily on Israel than on Turkey? Why did it necessitate an

Israeli apology rather than the Turks giving up this demand?

Related Topics:  Israel & Zionism, Turkey and Turksreceive the latest by

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