Israel Apologizes to Turkey, Paves the Way Back to Normal Diplomatic Relations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a phone call on Friday to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, paving the way for the restoration of diplomatic relations. Netanyahu apologized for the Gaza Strip Flotilla incident of 2011, where eight Turkish and one Turkish-American activists were killed, and many more were wounded. Ten Israeli commandos were also wounded during the raid.

Gaza Flotilla Incident

The Gaza flotilla incident happened on May 31, 2010, when the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH) and the Free Gaza Movement organized the “Gaza Freedom Flotilla.” Composed of six ships, the flotilla intended to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli-Egyptian blockade was meant to stop any military shipment to Hamas Palestinian forces.

The ships were boarded to force them to the port of Ashdod for inspection. All the boats, but one were boarded peacefully with the activists showing passive resistance. The activists on Mavi Marmara fought back and the Israelis were forced to use handguns with live ammunition.

Aftermath

Israel called the incident a pre-meditated media stunt meant to embarrass Israel and force them to lift the blockade. Turkey called it a “bloody massacre” and an example of “state terrorism.” Turkey also called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. It also called for Israel to apologize for the incident, to prosecute those who were directly involved in the incident, pay compensation and other damages, as well as lift the blockade.

As a result of the raid, the Hamas refused to allow the shipment until after the flotilla detainees as well as all building materials were released. The shipment included 8,000 to 10,000 tons of building materials which were considered by Israel as dual-purpose and could be used for both civilian and military purposes. Among the shipments were military camouflage materials and some expired medicines.

Israeli-Turkish relations deteriorated after the incident. There was a state of belligerency between the two former allies. There were cases of military encounters but no shots were fired. Turkey changed their Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) for Israel to “foe,” and there were several instances where they chased Israeli planes away from Syrian airspace. Turkey had sent ships to the approximate route of the Gaza flotilla, but there were no untoward incident, except for flybys by Israeli warplanes. Turkey also instructed their warships that whenever they encountered an Israeli warship on international waters, they were to come within a hundred yards and “neutralize” the Israeli warship’s weapons systems.

Return of Diplomatic Relations

The return to normal relations was upon the urging of President Barack Obama who was in Israel for an official visit. During the 20 minute phone call, Erdogan accepted the apology on behalf of Turkey. Concrete steps to follow would be the dispatch of ambassadors between the two countries. Turkey would also drop legal steps against the Israeli commandos who took part in the raid.

Obama explained that the return of diplomatic relations between the two countries would be to the advantage of both. It would also help to stabilize the region specially with regard the current Syrian civil war, and concerns about the Iranian nuclear program.