GAZA, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- Israeli foreign ministry asserted here Friday voiced opposition to making apologies to Turkey over the incident of attacking the Freedom Convoy flotilla last May as a way for resetting relations between the two countries.
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said in a statement to Radio Israel today "my ministry objects to the Turkish demand for Israel to apologize on the backdrop of Marmara ship incident." He added "such apology may have ethical, political and legal repercussions, " stressing "Israel will not shoulder responsibility for things it is not responsible of." However, Ayalon said "it is important to maintain contacts between Israel and Turkey until a solution is reached," claiming "the matter lays with the government in Ankara." Ayalon's statement comes at a time when some Israeli press statements reported that Tel Aviv and Ankara are about to reach an agreement that puts an end to the crisis that flared up following the killing of nine Turkish citizens in the attack, which targeted the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla convoy last May.
Further, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz said yesterday that Israel may offer Turkey what it described as "a major humanitarian compensation for the families of victims who fell as a result of the attack." It added "Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked the Israeli government to offer an apology to Ankara, though Israel prefers to use the word 'regret'" Finally, the newspaper said "Israel is expected to offer thousands of dollars to families of the nine Turkish victims killed in the attack". (end) mzt.aff KUNA 101921 Dec 10NNNN