by Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Discussions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apologies to Turkey escalated since Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish ambassador would not return to Tel Aviv and no normalization of ties would happen until the Gaza blockade ends.
Israel calls the demand to lift the blockade irrelevant. The international society recognizes the blockade as fair. Egypt borders with the sector and controls its processes. Israel allows thousands of tons of cargo to enter Gaza, the only reason for naval control of the sector is to prevent smuggling of weapons.
With account of the missile attacks at Israel from Gaza on Thursday, Erdogan’s demands seem absurd.
Admiral Eliezer Marom, former Commander of the Israeli Navy responsible for the attack on the Mavi Marmara Flotilla, criticized Netanyahu for the apologies. Internet communities say that Erdogan’s behavior was predictable and he was not planning to improve relations with Israel.
Moreover, Lebanon and some other Arab states demand Israel to apologize for deaths of their citizens during counter-terrorism operations.
Israeli President Shimon Peres urged Turkish citizens to do their best to restore ties with Israel, CNN Turk reports.
