Salahadin
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2009
- Messages
- 479
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WASHINGTON: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that Israel will not bend to Turkey's demands to repair ties between the two countries, media reported.
Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoğlu said previously that repaired Israeli-Turkish ties are contingent upon Israel's cooperation in 4 areas: Issue an apology for the May 31 flotilla raid, pay reparations, allow for an internationally-led investigation into the flotilla attack, and end the siege on Gaza.
"We are sorry for the loss of life," Netanyahu announced on Israeli Channel 1, but said "Israel cannot apologize for our soldiers being forced to defend themselves against the mob that almost slaughtered them."
Israeli naval forces boarded the flotilla vessels in pre-dawn darkness May 31 while the vessels were still in international waters. Israeli soldiers carried side-arms, paintball guns, and other crowd-dispersal tools. Reports from the Mavi Marmara, where nine activists were killed, said the soldiers began shooting immediately.
Filmmaker Iara Lee described the scene as a "bloodbath." Activists onboard the flotilla vessels say they did try to defend themselves with objects found on the ships, but they were no match for the Israeli soldiers.
The prime minister further insisted Israel would not pay compensations to those injured or the families of those killed in the clashes with Israeli commandos.
"That is not up for discussion," the Israeli premier said.
Won''t apologize Turkey: Israel - GEO.tv
Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoğlu said previously that repaired Israeli-Turkish ties are contingent upon Israel's cooperation in 4 areas: Issue an apology for the May 31 flotilla raid, pay reparations, allow for an internationally-led investigation into the flotilla attack, and end the siege on Gaza.
"We are sorry for the loss of life," Netanyahu announced on Israeli Channel 1, but said "Israel cannot apologize for our soldiers being forced to defend themselves against the mob that almost slaughtered them."
Israeli naval forces boarded the flotilla vessels in pre-dawn darkness May 31 while the vessels were still in international waters. Israeli soldiers carried side-arms, paintball guns, and other crowd-dispersal tools. Reports from the Mavi Marmara, where nine activists were killed, said the soldiers began shooting immediately.
Filmmaker Iara Lee described the scene as a "bloodbath." Activists onboard the flotilla vessels say they did try to defend themselves with objects found on the ships, but they were no match for the Israeli soldiers.
The prime minister further insisted Israel would not pay compensations to those injured or the families of those killed in the clashes with Israeli commandos.
"That is not up for discussion," the Israeli premier said.
Won''t apologize Turkey: Israel - GEO.tv