Turkey denied Netanyahu effort to delay release of Gaza flotilla report
Turkey claims Netanyahu attempting to buy time, add that they prefer an unfavorable report over waiting another two fruitless months; Palmer Report due to be published on Friday September 2.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan Gaza flotillaPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested a few days ago that the Palmer Report on the Israel Defense Forces' raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla in which nine Turkish activists were killed, be delayed by six months.
The suggestion was made to the Turkish government and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but Haaretz has learned that the Turkish government rejected Netanyahu's proposal, claiming it was not serious.
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Benjamin Netanyahu |
| Photo by: AP |
The UN investigative committee into the raid, headed by Geoffrey Palmer, is now due to publish the report this Friday, September 2.
The Palmer Report on the events that occurred on board the Turkish aid ship Mavi Marmara in 2010 has been delayed three times already, each time with the agreement of both Israel and Turkey, who made joint requests of the UN Secretary-General.
According to an official in Jerusalem, Netanyahu's latest suggestion to postpone the report's publication by six months was not warmly welcomed by the Turks.
Turkey saw Netanyahu's suggestion as an attempt to avoid reaching a decision on the reconciliation agreement and to stall progress. They explained that despite how problematic the report is for them, they would prefer for it to be published on September 2 than to wait another two grueling months, at the end of which it is not at all certain that Netanyahu would agree to apologize for what happened on board the Mavi Marmara.
An outline of the reconciliation agreement has already been approved by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and includes a softened Israeli apology for the events that occurred onboard the ship, in return for normalized relations with Turkey and a commitment on Turkey's behalf not to take legal proceedings personally against the Israeli soldiers and officers involved.
Turkey has said that if Israel does not apologize, it will carry out a series of actions detrimental to Israel-Turkey relations and that it would take legal action against Israel.
Netanyahu has avoided making a firm decision for a number of months regarding how Israel will deal with the situation.
He told senior American officials that despite that he is interested in accepting the outline of the agreement and apologizing to Turkey, he feared such a move would lead Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to withdraw from the coalition.
After Lieberman said he would not withdraw from the coalition, even if a decision was made to apologize to Turkey, Netanyahu changed his reasoning for postponing the report's publication, telling the Americans that he is not able to apologize, for he is under political pressure owing to the social protests.
Two weeks ago he informed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Israel would not apologize for the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid. Speaking with Clinton via telephone, Netanayhu said that Israel does not intend to adopt an outline to restore its relationship with Turkey.
An official in Jerusalem said that Netanyahu told Clinton that Israel does not oppose the publication of the Palmer Committee's report, but that the date of the report's release depends on Ban Ki-moon.
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What's the problem? If the report has anything negative to say about Israeli actions it will just be brushed off as more anti-semitism and ignored by Bibi and company.
So what?
Is the entire world wrong or is Netanyahu wrong?
Conveniently by passing September 20th?
I went on vacation in Israel and the service was bad, the hotel personel were rude. And it is expensive. At least in Turkey tourists are treated like kings and the prices are good.
I don't believe we should apologise for defending our sovereignty. I also, correctly , have never trusted Turkey as an 'ally'. Their agenda in supposedly befriending us was to benefit from our technology. I would not advocate enmity but hope our relationship stays at a civilized level. With friends like that who needs enemies.
it is pitty for israel..
The turkish gov knowingly, intentionally, with malice aforethought sponsored and aided the flotilla to create an international problem. The terrorists on the mavi marmara wanted a confrontation and carried NO aid supplies. Turkey should pay reparations and apologize
Every photo of Nutty-yahu, I've seen lately is of him sitting with hes finger on his temple. And I am left to wonder if there is a hidden button in that location; Where if it isn't held in, his brain doesn't work. Or is it a reset button to recall the lies he has told. And needs to remember so he can tell them again. or to remind him not to tell the same lie twice?
Some times even anti israeli
He was after all guided by G-d.
So wahat...another anti-Israel report . Ho hum. The global news cycle runs for 24/48 hrs and then something else comes along. For weeks we have been watching news about Egypt, Syria, Tunisia ad nauseum. Finally this week it was hurricane Irene. It was on the news 24/7. By Tuesday it will be over and we will revert back to Lybia, and Syria till something else comes along. It will be the Palmer report. For Israelis it will be here we go again. For Turks it will be AIPAC influencing Palmer to show them in some bad light. Then it will be the Palestinian UN vote. Then we will have to wait for something new.
solve anything. erdogan has islamist leanings.. hates israel. what is so difficult to comprehend ? israel ballsed up tactically .... but the facts are clear, idf troops were attacked violently and the deaths are as a result of that. erdogan has no interest in friendly relations with israel. israel just needs to make sure she can protect herself.
The world has bigger problems than the quarrel between Turkey and Israel. If the US dollar looses value. All of the worlds countries loose money. Because of their Central banks dollar reserves. Focus on that instead of this news.
oh i thought Turkey so scared and desparaite to delay this report,it turn out its Isreal who wants to delay it....why people like to lie! shame on you
Enough of BS from Israeli government. For how long will Israel delay it? Does it think that the world will forget? And with or without the report families of the victims are preparing to bring IDF officers to ICC for piracy and murder. For how long can you avoid it? Stop nonsense arrogance. It just takes you deeper. Face it like a man!
the best history,miltary,brave people,generation of ottoman empire,big cities:TURKEY.Palestina syria,north africa,balkans,crymia,caecasus and middle east and asia is ours.NEW OTTOMANS.
YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THE GLORY OF THE OTTOMANS. TURKEY WILL NEVER HAVE AN IMPIRE AGAIN. ATATURK IS TURNING IN HIS GRAVE SEING WAS THE MODERN TURKEY HE BUILT HAS BECOME.
The modern day Turkish Republic has no Imperial ambitions.
Turkey don't want any empire.Turkey wants to celebrate 100 anniversary of its foundation as a modern national state
Unbelievable,How he is foolig everybody. This man can,t be taken seriously After Lieberman said he would not withdraw from the coalition, even if a decision was made to apologize to Turkey, Netanyahu changed his reasoning for postponing the report's publication, telling the Americans that he is not able to apologize, for he is under political pressure owing to the social protests.
Why does Netenyahu want to delay UN report?
To play with his toy soldiers a little bit more
Despite nearly 50 years of Turkish efforts, Turkey still has not been admitted to the EU, whilst 21 new member states joined in the meantime.
Do some research on the economic growth,technological advancements,financial and industrial growth and change in foreign policy,therefore it growing influence over the region and you might want to think again...Turkey is the new rising power in the region. Its not the country it was just 10 years ago thanks to the current party.In the next decade or so... well just remember your words.
there is still an EU? Compare the figures man!
The ruling party is an enemy of the jews and is trying to create hostile feelings against Israel, which has always been a friend of Turkey. Turks are not Arabs. We love Jews. Izmir' Istanbul,Salonica has always been Jewish centers in the past. But Tayyip Erdogan wants to change the friendly feelings of the Turks. His wife is an Arab and he himself is an Arab-lover.
I GUESS LYDIA DOES NOT KNOW GEOGRAPHY. UNLIKE TURKEY, WE ARE NOT IN EUROPE. IF WE WILL EVER BE ACCEPTED, IT WILL BE BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT, NOT GEOGRAPHICAL RIGHTS.
Who needs the EU anyway, time to update your knowledge of the economic developments in EU !!
In the scheme of things Turkey is more important than Israel. Turkey has the same trading rights with the EU as Israel, is a full member of NATO. The day Israel has a runway capable of handling B-52's is the day Israel can start dictating terms Oh and Turkey is going to be the base for the anti ballistic missiles which will protect the Atlantic Alliance from Iranian nuclear tipped missiles Israel in the sceme of things, is a bit player whose influence will continue to decline as western politicians realise opposing Israel gets them more votes than supporting Israel. It is all about demographics.
And I bet Netanyahu himself doens't like palestinians ;-)
(1) Turkey is a growing economic power. It's average yearly growth is 8%. It is already a $1.1 trillion economy. (2) Turkey has the second largest Armed Forces in NATO. (3) Turkey has soft power in the Middle East. (4) Turkey holds the Islamic artifacts required to claim the Caliphate. The Islamic equivalent of the papacy. As such, the Turkish Republic is considered the de facto leader of the world's 1.6 billion muslims. (5) Turkey controls the only entrance into the Black Sea (The Istanbul Straits) (6) Turkey controls 90% of the pipelines carrying gas and oil from central asia into Europe (7) Turkey's geographic location enables it to control the Suez canal and Gibraltar. The list goes on.
Israel has never applied (begged) for EU membership
same was said about Egypt a couple of decades ago, look where it stands now
Egypt had Mubarak who was a lacky of Israel. Turkey has Erdogan who wants Israel under Turkish rule. That is the difference.
Israel was manipulating the report to maximise the benefits for itself at the detriment of Turkey. Publishing it may llead to some negative publicity for a few days, but with the anniversary of 9/11 coming up and the possible capture of Gadaffi, and the vote in the UN. It would not remain on the front pages for long. And there is no point in delaying it if Netanyahu has told the Secretary of State Israel have no attention of apologising, Good on Turkey for refusing to be blackmailed
I do not believe that my government, mainly Jewish and Israeli is in any way obliged to report to an evil bunch of rabble who should have stopped that ridiculous flotilla.
They are dominating Europe financially. I fear for the rise of the Germans again under the european banner.
Please explain the relation of the IDF raid and their killing with the role of Germany in the EU?? It seems that you are not aware of the permanent support of the german government of Israel, the billions of Euros transfered, the submarines sold at a very cheap price etc. Israel is an evil in the ME. Their uninterrupted theft of palestinian land and water, the occupation of their territory, the imprisonement and killing of thousands, the destruction of their hoiuses and infrastructure are the reason for the palestinian fight for freedom, justice and indepencence. Israel is a rouge and pariah state, isolated from the majority of the world. Sorry for you.
People have to and deserve to know the truth, just because of some politicians trying to delay the report because of their political interests is no more appreciated by the public of both countries. We want it published, lets negotiate after reports comes!!!
The report will put blame on Turkey for carelessly sending our citizens but more of the blame will be on Israel. Specifically the fact that all the dead are ethnic Turks is an interesting fact given the international representation on the ship suggesting targeted action by Israel. Whatever the report says the fact that it will at last be released means that the Israeli soldiers killing Turkish citizens will be taken to international courts by Turkey. Israel asked for it as they still refuse to apologize. I think commanding officers and the civilians that ordered the killing of Turkish citizens will not be able to leave Israel for a long time to come. Maybe Bibi, too! You can't mess around with Turkey like you do with the Palestinians. Time to wake up for Israelis.
What I have read about the report says that the Turkish government will bear most of the responsibility for allowing the ship and civilians to violate their ally's legal blockage. The fact the Turks still allow an extreme hater of Israel to do such damage to one of the ally's is a real shame. Turkey has already lost a great deal from tourism due to this nonsense. It is time for the Turks to elect a better leader, before Turkey falls to extremists too.
If only our Prime Minister could make up his mind things might get moving. His repeated changes just show a weak Prime Minister and doesn't help anyone. I am sure that some sort apology could be arranged that would satisfy both sides. After all we are sorry that so many people got killed even if it is due to their own fault and only because we defended ourselves. No one can take that away from us.
Hi Renny, good post, however I disagree that Israel was merely defended itself.Israel chose to defend itself in ths manner, it choses to uphold it apartheid like ways. Becuase of Israel unstable and weak coalition governments, it choses the delay tactics for peace. The US is the only country that tolerates Israel criminal behavior. The US sends billions of tax payer dollars to Israel, what is used for building settlements and nuke weapons. The US has not been a fair broker when it comes to Israel. (we all know the zionists and mouthpiece AIPAC controls the US congress). For an example, the US wants to withhold the paltry peanuts from the Palestinians, because they wants to go to the UN for recognition of a Palestine State.How foolish is the US, Palestinians get punished for the aspirations, while Israel gets funding for expanding settlements and more land grabbing while continuing to delay the peace. In normal situations, the Americans supports countries who people want these independence, look at the amount of dollars they have given to Libyans and Syrians and Iran to overthrow their respective governments. Meanwhile they expect the Palestinians to play Israel 's stall and delay tactics ( if Israel keep expanding settlements, there will be no Palestinian state.Look after all the years of Israels stall tactics, what have the the Palestinians recieve, new Israeli settlements, expanded settlements, false sense of hope, poverty too name a few. So the point, Israel chosed it method of handling this situation.
Let me clarify your accusations. 1. Israel is an apartheid state; no it is not, there is no proof by any accepted definition. 2. Israel delays because of weak government; no it doesn't, it is delaying in order for Turkey and Israel to come to an acceptable agreement on the language of the report so that there can be peace. In the background much work has been done. 3. Only the US tolerates Israel's criminal behavior. First of all, what crime can a sovereign state commit, secondly, what can another sovereign state do to prevent it? Answer for both nothing. You obviously have no concept of what sovereignty is. International law, by the way, is non-binding because their is no sovereignty. And to poke a deeper hole in your argument, every sovereign country allows other sovereign countries to do things they disapprove of, because they have no right to interfere in another countries sovereignty, without going to war. Libya is an example of foreign countries violating a country's sovereignty and now it appears that this was simply because of the greed of the oil industry. I could go on, but I won't. The point is that your arguments are illogical and based in emotion not fact.
Leader of the Chosen people.
We will see in a few days.
The release of the report should be independent of Israel's expected apology to Turkey and the relationship between the two countries. 1. The report should be released asap and the chips should fall where they may. 2. israel should apologize if it wants to improve its relationship with Turkey. Turkey does not have much to lose if the relationship deteriorates. European countries will fill the void left by Israel (primarily in military affairs) Israel stands to lose plenty as Turkey was israel's bulwark against other Muslim states. That said, the relationship cannot be resurrected as long as the israeli-palestinian conflict remains unresolved.
Where do you get the idea from that Turkey behaved well. If someone provokes you are you going to sit back and do nothing? Those days are over.
they sent islamic terrorists to break the blockade on gaza. coming from an ally, which turkey was at the time, was an absolute provocaton. erdogan had already insulted peres at davos. erdogan has put journalists in jail, and he is killing the kurds. by the way, you have left out ya'alon from your hate fest.
so called terrorist organisation IHH sent tons of medicine and supplies to the Somalia last week. wht kind of journalists r u talking about? they r all blamed of attending terrorist organisations not cos of their writings in their coloumns. While the so called Kurdish part has just 30 deputies in assembly, erdogan has almost 70 kurdish deputies. and we r fighting with PKK, and PKK is a terrorist group according to EU, NATO and US.
And your point is? If the report is so good for Israel why is the Leader of the Jews trying to delay it?
In case of an opposition, you take it as an provocation and kill all the people? This is how you understand the world? Why haven't the soldiers stopped the engines of the mavi marmara instead of killing 9 ppl? That would be more attractive.
In case of an opposition, you take it as an provocation and kill all the people? This is how you understand the world? Why haven't the soldiers stopped the engines of the mavi marmara instead of killing 9 ppl? That would be more attractive.
I think Bibi is terrific!
Thank you for the article! For weeks some zealots in Israel and elsewhere try to blame the Turks for delaying the release of the Gaza flotilla report. Articles,and comments on those articles kept talking about the Turks having something to hide. I don't see any of there today! Come on folks! What happened?
It was Netanyahu who is calling for the report to be delayed (Just saying)
All possible accusations have already been thrown on Israel. The Palmer Report will definitely be less hysterical and one-sided than the BBC, Al Jazeera and the Aran media in general. Netanyahu: there is nothing to concerned about it. Syria is boiling, Egypt's junta needs to be engaged delicately, as it seems to be finally trying to put Sinai and its border with Gaza in order. The peace accord must be preserved. Iran is concerned over Syria, Hezballah and Lebanon, and not too happy with Hamas gravitating more towards Egypt than towards the Syria-Iran-Hezballah axis.
Fortuna...your logic is astounding. Nothing according to you is ever Israels fault. Even when Israels actions are left wanting,yours and people with similar attitude cry anti semitism and Israel hatred. Law of averages says Israel cannot and IS not faultless. Netanyahu stated Israel would comply with and honour International Law. When has Israel complied with International Law.
When the issue is such a trifle, why does Israel delay and delay and delay?
Delay, delay, delay, and then.... delay some more. Unfortunately for him September appears to be the month when all his chickens come home to roost.
No matter what Israelis do, Erdogan and his goons will keep organizing more provocations. It's better to face the truth and cut the losses.
The last report on this had Obama waiving a magic wand to give Netanyahu his six months. Did Obama lose the wand? Or did Netanyahu find out he'd weakened Obama to the point that Obama didn't have the international influence?
is a government terrorism.Seams like turkey and iran coordinate their jihadist attacks on Israel.
America? or dreamland?
this permanent blaming on other people is annoying... bibi is really such a coward... please... cant you find someone else - NOW ? please !
everyone will get spanked and then... all forgotten.
Unless you are deliberately aiming at warping the meaning as a seemingly an ordinary attitude for you...What anticipation and interpretation...May be common in Israel seriously I don't know...
there was false news about turkey's willing to delay the release. all the comments were about if turkey hide smthng. so where r those guys? are u hiding something? why do u wanna delay it now?
you should come and start typing your appolgies. It was crystal clear for the last time it was Israel who was trying to steal more time in order to discus relations with Turkey as Israel know Middle East soon going to be even hotter and Israel sits right in the middle of all these hot countries.