'Apology and compensation for flotilla raid are red line'
Turkish diplomat says UN report on 'Mavi Marmara' raid will likely be balanced, give Israel chance to right wrongs and fix relations with Turkey.
By JPOST.COM STAFFmavi marmara passengers 311(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
Turkey on Tuesday insisted Israel issue an apology for the killing of nine pro-Palestinian activists during the IDF raid of the Gaza-bound flotilla ship, the Mavi Marmara, in May 2010.A Turkish diplomat told journalists in Ankara that "We expect that the UN investigation will be balanced, and that Israel and Turkey will get out of it what we are seeking. An apology and compensation, however, constitute a red line for us."RELATED:Turkel: Flotilla raid in accordance with int'l lawTurkey flotilla report: IDF shot activists at close range Israel agreed to discuss possible compensations for the families of those who were killed in the incident, but refused to admit that its actions were unlawful, and accept blame.The Turkel Committee, which was established in Israel to investigate the events that occurred surrounding the Mavi Marmara raid, concluded that the IDF conducted its operation following international law, whereas a Turkish investigation found that Israeli soldiers shot five victims at close range, and that two were killed before the soldiers even boarded the ship."We will not renege on our requests," the diplomat stressed. "We cannot forget the loss of life of those nine people. Israel is our friend, and if a friend errs, they must apologize."The diplomat added that the results of the special UN investigation of the incident are expected to be distributed in April, and expressed hope that "Israel will use [the conclusions] in order to fix its relations with Turkey."
