Israel has apologized for the deaths of nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists after a naval raid on a ship bound for the Gaza Strip in 2010.
A senior Obama administration official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret and acknowledged “operational mistakes” in a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan accepted the apology, the official said.
Netanyahu also agreed to compensate the families of the victims in the incident, Reuters reported.
Another Obama administration official called it a “first step” toward normalizing relations between Israel and Turkey, which suffered a serious setback after the raid, including Turkey withdrawing its ambassador.
President Barack Obama helped arrange the call shortly before leaving Israel, the Associated Press reported. The apology had been the subject of talks during his visit to the Jewish state.
The phone call between the Israeli and Turkish leaders lasted about 30 minutes, with Obama himself getting on the call at some point.
“I welcome the call today between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Erdogan,” Obama said in a statement afterward. “The United States deeply values our close partnerships with both Turkey and Israel, and we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations between them in order to advance regional peace and security. I am hopeful that today’s exchange between the two leaders will enable them to engage in deeper cooperation on this and a range of other challenges and opportunities.”
The ship, the Mavi Marmara, was part of a flotilla organized by the “Free Gaza Movement” that said it was bringing humanitarian aid to blockaded Gaza. Israeli commandos sought to block the ship from reaching Gaza and clashed with activists aboard, leaving eight Turks and one Turkish-American dead.
The raid and the deaths caused a massive international outcry largely directed at Israel, though the New York Times described activists aboard the ship as “picking a fight” by attempting to break the blockade. The Reuters news agency was also hit for editing photos to crop out a knife showing one of the activists was armed in an image of a bleeding Israeli commando.
This post has been updated.
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universalphilos
Mar. 23, 2013 at 3:21pmWasn’t the ship attempting to go through the barricade to deliver weapons to the Palestinians? Although we may not have known what kinds of weapons, perhaps larger rockets and lots of munitions to kill Israel men, women and children, none of it should be allowed. Would the U.S.? (Well, perhaps that’s not a good analogy, since we haven’t protected our borders from those who cross the border from “States that sponsor terrorism,” who might bring WMD. But shouldn’t we?)
A prophecy, January 9, 1981: “Take stock into these things that are happening now around you. Violence begets violence. You wish to know the greatest danger, [it] comes from the Mid-East. Lybia, Pakistan, Palestine, the Palestinian movements, Iran, Iraq — all of these countries soon will be capable of delivering atomic weaponry. And their methods, as you have known before, have no — sacred for human life or other life. We say unto you, beware.”
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzyT3fgGxb4-cHhzQU5PaFRzYlk/edit?usp=sharing
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universalphilos
Mar. 23, 2013 at 3:28pmThe U.S. Border Patrol does stop every vehicle at the port of entry and often inspects trucks and other vehicles for contraband, such as drugs, from entering. So why shouldn’t Israeli soldiers board a ship carrying suspected weapons among it’s cargo of “humanitarian aid.” This is a common ploy near borders.
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EP46
Mar. 23, 2013 at 5:30amI tried to understand this & wondered what obama could ‘offer’ for this apology? Maybe obama will give Israel the big bunker buster bombs they have been asking for to take out Iran’s nuke labs. The MOABs (mother of all bombs) that only the US has will go deep enough to destroy the underground labs. Israel has asked & been told NO by obama. Also, if obama will give them these bombs then Israel can destroy Iran’s nukes by themselves & obama can sit back & not become involved. If that was the deal..or something like that…then Netanyahu did what was best for the whole world…
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bravjim
Mar. 23, 2013 at 11:10amActually, he changed his tune in one of his speeches, trying to broker a deal for a Palestinian State without requiring that Israel pull settlements out of the West Bank before a deal could be reached.
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Neils60
Mar. 23, 2013 at 12:49pmThe 55 bunker busters were delivered about a year ago.
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Neils60
Mar. 22, 2013 at 8:25pmFor “The_Jerk”, Of what benefit was the war in Iraq to the state of Israel? Answer, since you won’t provide an honest answer, NONE. As you’re aware, with Iran freed from battling Iraq, Iran has been able to devote its entire war machine to its, and your, hoped for destruction of Israel. But, you already know that, despite the tripe that you provide on this site.
Unrelated to your “H. Youth” misinformation of the day, Israel is also now required to provide Turkey with the Israeli developed radar jamming equipment for Turkey’s order of American made F-16′s. (Also used in America’s F-16′s.)
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Watchyer6
Mar. 22, 2013 at 7:11pmObama made Netanyahu apologize. My apology would have been this (paraphrasing)- “Hey Erdogan, go frack yourself.”
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neoconenemy
Mar. 22, 2013 at 8:40pmthey say that to America all the time. Remember the USS Liberty? Lavon affair? Jonathan Pollard? Remember also that there was a US citizen killed in that flotilla incident. Do you even give a damn about America?
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katzkiner
Mar. 22, 2013 at 4:22pmA lot of people criticise the Jews everywhere, but, I appreciate their efficiency at killing islamis terrorists. America could learn a lot from the Jews. Back in July 2012 they realized they were being run over by illegal immigrants and the people rioted. The government arrested the illegals and deported them. What does make me angry is the.way American Jews want to void our Constitution. Feinstein, Bloomberg, Schumer, are u listening? You thieves can be deported for unAmerican activities. Leave our rights alone!
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katzkiner
Mar. 22, 2013 at 4:33pmI wouldn’t read to much into Bibis’ apology , Mosad is the best intelligence organization in the world. Wait for the other shoe to drop. The people who sponsored the flotilla may want watch their backs. I doubt Bibi will have to apologize again. Bomber boy Bill evaded the FBI, Mosad is another animal.
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conjohn
Mar. 22, 2013 at 3:01pmEveryone that comes in contact with obama gets put under a spell. Look in the eyes of McCain and Boehner.
It reminds me of how Nicoli Carpathia from Left Behind could change peoples minds supernaturally. No I don’t think Obama is the anti christ but I do think he is being used by satan.
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thegreatcarnac
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:48pmNetanyahu is in a pickle. He needs obama now because we give them money and equipment. He is becoming more isolated in a sea of rabid ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ run countries. It is no stretch to imagine obama asked (told) him to apologize. If he had a stronger faith he would know God will help Israel and is longing to help more if they just ask. He doesn’t really need obama….nor anyone.
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JRook
Mar. 22, 2013 at 2:45pmThe real question is why sharona did not author this report?
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universalphilos
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:28pmA prophecy, October 9, 1973: “But beware — should the Eagle [U.S.A.] not spread its wings and give protection, then the Anti-Christ shall reign upon the earth, and the time of famine shall be upon your doorsteps. We have prepared that, as we have said before, to give you warning before each of these that should happen. But the nation of Israel shall stand, and the nation of the eagle shall stand, for they stand before God. And where once before the eagle nation [Rome] destroyed and scattered among the nations those of the servants of God, now the karmic action stands forth again. Therefore, place your minds in unisance.”
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzyT3fgGxb4-cHhzQU5PaFRzYlk/edit?usp=sharing
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Bonnieblue2A
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:34pmFalse prophets are not to be followed. All prophecy is contained in the Bible.
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twotoo
Mar. 22, 2013 at 5:47pmUniversalphilos: Your link to “prophecy” is a ridiculous New Age hybrid!
The website smacks of New Age philosophy and uses many of the buzz words inherent in New Age “spirituality”, i.e… terms like “karmic”, “universal” and others.
It uses Christianity as a cover and combines it with the New Age movement in an attempt to deceive the reader.
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twotoo
Mar. 22, 2013 at 6:22pmJust read this on your “prophetic” link…
“If one should ask thee, ‘What are thy called?’ tell them you are the people of God. Should they ask further, ‘Are thy a Christian? Are thy a Buddha, or are thy Mohammed?’, say, ‘Yes, I and we are all of these.’
This is from your “church”, The Association of Universal Philosophy.
Don’t think so booby!
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Beachbaby
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:20pmHow hilarious is that? Now the Israelis are saying sorry for being murdered and hated.
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Guerrino_P
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:52pm@BEACHBABY
The people murdered on the Flotilla were Israeli?
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BSdetector
Mar. 22, 2013 at 2:01pmNo the people on the flotilla were there to hate and murder Israelis. It’s really not that confusing…
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Guerrino_P
Mar. 22, 2013 at 9:30pm@BSDETECTOR
You sound like one hell of a stupid dude.
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BlackCrow
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:18pmWhy? Did the Union apologize for sinking Confederate blockade runners during the Civil War? Did the Kaiser apologist for sinking English and American merchant shipping during the First world War? Did Hitler during the Second? No these were acts of war. The Muslims in the West Bank are waging war on Israel and those ships should be summarily sunk. No apology needed
Note: I refuse to honor those murdering Muhammadans by referring to them as residents of the Ottoman province of Palestine.
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The_Jerk
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:28pmThere’s no end to the limit of excuse making by true radical zealots for Israel. Israel is a belligerent. Israel has just acknowledged its belligerency. And, this is the Jewish way. Commit the heinous act, and when caught apologize, because by then it does not matter.
This is how the Jewish neocons got us to go to war for Israel in Iraq. The Jewish NYT’s lied to the American people. They got their war. Then, after the war was well on its way, they apologized for lying; which changed the cause to, “now that we’re there, we can’t leave, we must finish the job.”
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thegreatcarnac
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:41pmI am a southerner and proud of it. I am still waiting that call from the feds apologizing for sinking our brave ships running the gauntlet of yankee barbarians.
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tzion
Mar. 22, 2013 at 5:54pm@Jerk
Israel admitted no such thing. They acknowledged “operational mistakes”, which could mean anything, and agreed to compensate the families, which is just a kind gesture. At no point did they say boarding the ship was a mistake (it wasn’t) nor did they take responsibility for igniting the incident on board, which all the evidence indicates they didn’t do.
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freedom_baby
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:43pmI don’t believer Bibi would do this for a second unless there’s a motive.
Obama arranged the call?
My guess is Obama told Bibi he wouldn’t be allowed to use the airspace over Iran unless he apologized.
What would you do?
Apologize, or take the risk of Iran bombing you.?
Something is just off.
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annieoakley
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:49pmI hope you are correct. Israel has nothing to apologize for. Never apologize to a ****** for ANYTHING.
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Bonnieblue2A
Mar. 22, 2013 at 1:29pmTurkey is a member of NATO. It is simple to connect the dots.
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=297004
http://intellihub.com/2013/03/11/israel-a-de-facto-member-of-nato/
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NewCreationDave
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:42pmNow it’s the Muslims turn … (Jeopardy theme plays) … oh well, it was a thought
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SamIamTwo
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:25pmOh well, they are still deaded.
Obama romanced the man into submission…took him three (3) years. LMAO.
pffft
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SpankDaMonkey
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:05pm.
Is that a GIANT SUCKING sound I hear?……
Obama must have brought BiBi some Knee Pads…….
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BSdetector
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:27pmHow the apology should have read:
Dear Mr Erdogan,
I’m sorry your terrorist friends who want to destroy us, forced us to defend ourselves. May they all burn in hel.
Sincerely, Israel.
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everydaywoman
Mar. 23, 2013 at 11:10am@BSDetector
Agreed.
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tzion
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:57amSo if I go out, attempt to breach a sovereign nation’s territorial waters while carrying supplies a region controlled by terrorists, and then, when stopped by troops, I attack them with lead pipes, chains, knives and other weapons and get injured in the process, I’m somehow the VICTIM?
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txannie
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:04pm@ tzion…In the lib/prog/marxist/socialist obama world you are.
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neoconenemy
Mar. 22, 2013 at 8:49pmThe flotilla was not in Israeli ‘territorial waters’ it was in international waters. Just like the USS Liberty when u attacked us in INTERNATIONAL WATERS. U R a typical zio propagandist just like your hero bernays. What israel did was a textbook case of piracy, no different than the somali pirates as far as the boarding was concerned. The occupants of the flotilla had every right to fight back. The israelis know they have no case here….they know they are wrong and there is no excuse for what they did. Do you Israel the chaos that would exist if countries were allowed to invade and board other ships in international waters? This is why we have laws. But Israelis don’t respect laws. Its one law for then and another for the rest of the world. They are the chosen ones right?
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tzion
Mar. 23, 2013 at 9:37pm@neocon
The flotilla was attempting to enter Israeli waters at the time. Israel had every right to board the vessel when it refused to stop, especially since they had blockaded the port the ship was heading to. They offered to let the ship dock at an Israeli port for inspection and they refused. As for “fighting back”, the people on the flotilla struck first.
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neoconenemy
Mar. 25, 2013 at 12:22amTZION no country has a right to invade and forcefully board a ship in international waters… this is piracy. If they felt the ship was such a threat they would have waited for it to enter ‘israeli’ waters then done what they had to do. They know there is no excuse for it even the jew owned media here couldn’t find an excuse for israel this time. israhell is a terrorist lunatic state. They even bite the hand that feeds them like the USS Liberty, Lavon affair and Jonathan Pollard (who netanyahu and other israelis want freed) One rule for the chosenites, another for the goyim.
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SoloPocono
Mar. 25, 2013 at 3:41pmBoth of you are wrong: yes, the ship WAS in international waters, the ship had already been inspected in Greece by both Greece and Members of the IDF, (NO GUNS/AMMO, although there WERE a group of Catholic nuns on one of the ships…), the Israeli Commando’s boarded without ANY warning & the folks on that first ship put up little resistance-the Turk’s, German’s and an American, were knelt down and EXECUTED IN THE BACKS OF THEIR HEADS!! People on the first ship recorded the boarding & executions, and folks on the second ship, after watching the horror on the first ship; reacted the same way you or I would probably act if we thought the commando’s rappelling down onto their ship were going to repeat the executions-they picked up anything they could find on the deck to protect themselves. They HAD NO GUNS OR AMMO, or the video’s we’ve all seen from that second ship would have been a nightmare for both sides.
The ship was NOT on it’s way to or through Israeli waters; it was in International waters attempting to dock in Gaza. This was the height of the Gaza blockade when VERY little food, water or medical supplies were getting through to Gaza. As far as Dorn & Ayers, they were just two of around 2.5 MILLION donations that went to the organization that supplied the ships. You can still find the ships log/blog online somewhere-shows they thought Israel had OK’d the ships in Greece. Will find when I get home…
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upadastra
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:54amThis is what Von Metternich called “Real Politik”. Against all what common folk would consider normal behaviour done by those that bear governmental responsibility for the greater good of restoring important international bonds. Clearly Obama insisted on the Turkish – Israeli connection being restored as those where of utmost importance to the USA. I would not be surprised that as a gesture Obama within two months releases the spy Pollard who lingers in an American prison.
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AUsername
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:48amthat is like border security apologizing for doing their job.
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Bonnieblue2A
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:40amRemember folks, Obama’s radical friends Bernadine Dohrn and Bill Ayers were directly tied to this flotilla.
From The American Thinker June 03, 2010
“Former Weather Underground leaders William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, as well as Code Pink founder Jodie Evans, helped organize the Free Gaza Movement, which launched the six-ship flotilla from Turkey to Israel that ended in a violent clash with Israeli Defense Forces, BigGovernment.com reported.”
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/06/ayers_dorhn_helped_organize_pe.html
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optimisticallypessimisticrealist
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:39amWhat a schmuck! To apologize for defending yourself against an attack perpertrated by people, who are breaching your border… Wow.
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starman70
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:51amYEP: A peaceful flotilla with foodstuffs and medical supplies showing on deck BUT below decks, arms and ammunition for the radical jihadists.
NO APOLOGY NECESSARY!!! The main lesson that should be learned is that you should not participate in such a activity and then not expect reprocussions.
Obama’s teachers Ayers and Dohrn pressured Obama to pull this one off. I just wonder what threats he used against Netanyahu to achieve this goal.
AND WE THOUGHT CARTER WAS BAD! Our present apologist in chief makes Carter look like a K-1 beginner.
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pragmaticpatriot
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:38amwhen will turkey apologize for provoking a response?
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Bonnieblue2A
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:37amAnd Turkey’s apology for the activists violating Israeli law in regard to disobeying the Israeli navy is forthcoming when?
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Gonzo
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:35amAnyone apologizing to the Israeli soldiers who got beat over the head with lead pipes?
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AvengerK
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:47amNah GONZO….that would be making Palestinians look bad…we can’t do that it would ruin years of lefty propaganda.
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Guerrino_P
Mar. 22, 2013 at 9:40pmNow that’s the GONZO I know and love. The Flotilla was invaded by Israeli. The people on boat defended themselves from the invaders with lead pipes and scary looking medical supplies. And then the ‘Good Guys’ murdered them. Oh, and some on the humanitarians on Flotilla were American. GONZO speaks and again says nothing. Yeah, brain dead GONZO, you’re the best.
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everydaywoman
Mar. 23, 2013 at 11:07am@Gonzo
Exactly!
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biohazard23
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:35amWhy???
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Gonzo
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:41amObviously the POTUS suggested it during his visit.
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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:35amWHY? BIbi—-you’ve been infiltrated, like us. WAKE UP
http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/archives/7934
Update on ISM/GAZA Flotilla Founders.
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soybomb315_II
Mar. 22, 2013 at 11:29amWow, a country apologizing for the unnecessary deaths of foreigners….imagine that
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BSdetector
Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:30pmWow, a country apologizing for the unnecessary SUICIDES of foreigners….imagine that
Fixed.
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