Turkey reveals secret diplomacy behind Israel’s apology

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on March 28 revealed  he background of Israel’s recent apology to Turkey over the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

“On every diplomatic field, there was heavy pressure on Israel. In some international organizations and other issues there was an area restriction," Davutoğlu is quoted by Hurriyet as saying in a television programme on the private SKYTürk 360 TV channel.

The foreign minister added that the result was an outcome of persistent diplomacy, “because Israel needs to feel this pressure,” the news agency reports.

The Turkish foreign minister also said that both parties came closer to striking a deal on some occasions but it was the Israeli party that always stepped back.

The issue was first brought up during U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Turkey, Davutoğlu is quoted as saying by Hurriyet. “After Kerry’s visit we had contact over the telephone, SMS and emails,” the minister said.