2013-03-25 12:42:39
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
email: subscribe to daniel pipes' free mailing listThis text may be reposted
or forwarded so long as it is presented as an integral whole with complete
and accurate information provided about its author, date, place of
publication, and original URL.
DanielPipes.org
InfoGnomon
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
email: subscribe to daniel pipes' free mailing listThis text may be reposted
or forwarded so long as it is presented as an integral whole with complete
and accurate information provided about its author, date, place of
publication, and original URL.
DanielPipes.org
InfoGnomon
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