Despite Turkey's decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with Israel and freeze all military agreements, a senior government official said Friday afternoon Israel would not apologize to Turkey over the Mavi Marmara incident.
The official said that as recommended by the Palmer Commission report, Israel "again expresses its regret for the loss of life, but will not apologize for actions of self defense taken by its soldiers."
| The oft-delayed Palmer Commission report upheld the legality of Israel's naval blockade and right to intercept vessels trying to break it, and also said there was no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. |
The oft-delayed Palmer Commission report upheld the legality of Israel's naval blockade and right to intercept vessels trying to break it, and also said there was no humanitarian crisis in Gazoo. At the same time the report said the IDF, which it acknowledged came under pre-meditated violence by IHH activists on the ship, used "unreasonable" and "excessive" force.
Regarding Turkey's decision to expel Israel's envoy to Ankara, the official said the ambassador -- Gabi Levy -- had already finished his tenure in Ankara, had taken leave of his Turkish counterparts in Ankara, and was returning to Israel in the coming days. No replacement for Levy, whose retirement from the Foreign Ministry has been known for months, was ever named.
Referring to one of the five measures that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at a press conference Friday that Ankara would take against Israel -- take measures for freedom of maritime movement in the eastern Mediterranean Sea -- the official said that Israel hoped Turkey would "honor international law" in all matters regarding maritime traffic in the Mediterranean.
"Arrrgh! We be Turkish pirates, marauding the Mediterranean!"
"Hmm, so you are. Ari, show him what a rabbinic student with a brand new anti-ship laser can do. Feel free to be artistic." |
The other measures he said Turkey would take included downgrading diplomatic ties with Israel; freezing all military agreements;
| Treads falling off Turkish tanks, engines falling off Turkish airplanes, all for lack of Israeli parts. Perhaps they can try sourcing from China -- who'll make anything for the discriminating buyer. In the meantime, Israel has found new friends and customers, and doesn't care that Turkey is hyperventilating about those uppity Juices. |
no longer recognizing the Gaza blockade
| We've seen how well that has worked so far... |
and taking the issue to the International Court of Justice;
| Opening arguments to be scheduled for 2052. |
and supporting "flotilla victims" who will take the matter to court. |