24 July 2012 /TODAY’S ZAMAN
A Turkish Foreign Ministry official has told Today’s Zaman there has been no change in Turkey’s attitude regarding the tragic Mavi Marmara incident, saying “Turkey demands an apology and reparations” for the families of the activists who were brutally killed by Israeli troops on the Mavi Marmara ship.
His words came in response to statements by Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman that appeared in Today’s Zaman on Monday that Israel is ready to discuss with Turkey the issue of an apology for the Mavi Marmara incident, the Israeli raid of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that resulted in the deaths of nine Turks. Speaking to Turkish journalists in Jerusalem, Lieberman said, though noting he personally saw no reason for an apology over the incident, that the Israeli side would only be willing to take up the issue of an apology in a discussion package -- that is, along with “many [other] issues such as the Iranian problem, the Gaza Strip [and Turkish] support for Hamas.” Speaking as to why the two countries should cooperate, he said: “I think there are many more common interests between the two countries than the contradictions. Maybe today that is clearer, considering the Syrian issue.” He added that maintaining the present state of affairs does not offer Turkey any advantages either.
