Netanyahu Apologizes to Turkey for Loss of Life on Gaza Flotilla

Several people on Facebook have told me the Netanyahu apology was 'only' for the loss of life aboard the Gaza Flotilla and Netanyahu didn't really apologize. With that in mind, here's the story: Israel has legal right to inspect all sea and air traffic into Gaza for obvious reasons - the safety of the Israeli people. In mid- 2010 when "peace" flotillas were all the rage and anti-Israel activists were stumbling over each other to hitch a ride on a flotilla to Gaza to show support for Palestine, it wasn't about aid for Gaza. Today we learn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologized to Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan for attempting to search it for weapons and jihadists, their legal right according to the Oslo Accord. Apparently Obama insisted Netanyahu apologize and he did. You may remember that Reuters cropped a critical photo of the violence that followed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and "peace activists" holding knives that were perhaps used on the soldier you see here.

Prime Ministers Erdogan and Netanyahu

Flashback May 31, 2010:

The Muquata:

PMW reports: On the day before the Gaza flotilla confronted the Israeli navy, Al-Jazeera TV documented the pre-battle atmosphere created by men on board the flotilla, chanting a well known Islamic battle cry invoking the killing and defeat of Jews in battle:

“[Remember] Khaibar, Khaibar, oh Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!”

The flotilla’s goal:

Al-Jazeera also interviewed a woman who said that the flotilla participants’ goal was “one of two happy endings: either Martyrdom or reaching Gaza.”

Remember, the Oslo Accords grants Israel the right to blockade, and the right to stop-and-or-search ships for weapons bound for Palestine.

Flashback May 31, 2010:

A few days ago, President Obama said the War on Terror is over, and we learned that Syria has 1,000 ballistic missiles pointed at Israel, courtesy of Iran. In the same time span, Hizballah received 1,000 rockets, courtesy of Iran. Israel is the only country that will receive these rockets – intended for launch into Israel. Also a few days ago, Israel was notified that a “six boat flotilla” of ships carrying “aid” to Gaza would pass through their blockade. Israel considered the “flotilla” “an act of provocation,” and notified Turkey the “flotilla” would be searched at their port at Ashdod. In the past, numerous ships carrying supposed aid to Gaza have been stopped and found to be carrying weapons. Apparently the “flotilla” had no plans to be search. See a revealing video below – and remember, Israel had the right to board the ship, even though the ship was in international waters.

Israeli commandos boarded one of the ships and there were deaths on both sides. There is a blockade in place. This incident was not about humanitarian aid, but was about putting Israel in a terrible place in the eyes of the world. How many journalists were aboard that Turkish cruise ship?

The Israeli Navy contacted the ships and warned them they would not allowed to break the blockade, as provided by the Oslo Accords:

International law allows for countries to ask suspicious boats to identify themselves. The vessels’ passengers did not cooperate and called the move “scare tactics” on their streamed broadcasts.

The request was refused. Here’s what happened next:

The IDF searched the boats for arms immediately after the takeover. The soldiers were forced to use tear gas after they were attacked with knives, daggers and cudgels, putting their lives in danger. Unofficial reports that ten persons have been killed and another ten wounded were admitted to Rambam Hospital in Haifa were changed by the Arab television station Al Jazeera, to two killed and four wounded. An Al Jazeera reporter on one of the boats reported hearing gunshots.

Israel was set-up for a peaceful search. There was no way for Israel to discern the truth without boarding the ship.

 The preparations included a compound at the Ashdod port consisting of air conditioned tents equipped with computerized stations, metal detectors, and seating for the activists manning the ships. The IDF is preparing for the arrival of some 800 peace activists. The IDF said that they were ready to carry out the government’s decision to prevent the ships from reaching the Gaza shore.

The IDF said Thursday that much thought was put into the preparations for the convoy’s arrival. The plans include trained navy forces boarding the ships, with the aid of dogs, to search for weapons and explosives as well as wanted terrorists. The IDF said that they did not know whether the ships carried these items or people, but that they were preparing for any possible scenario to prevent potential catastrophes.

Nine activists agitators terrorists are reported dead. Seven IDF are injured, two gravely.  An Israeli IDF who boarded the ship said the activists tried to take hostages – Israeli hostages are the pride of Palestinians. This ship knew the search would be peaceful. The terrorists aboard laid-in-waiting and attacked before the Israeli’s feet hit the deck. Israel had the right to search!

He [Netanyahu] says hundreds of people on board that ship beat, clubbed and stabbed soldiers, and there was a report of gunfire. He says that forced soldiers to attack.

Considering Obama's U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice skipped the U.N. debate that followed the flotilla incident, it's laughable that Obama coerced this apology.  He joined Netanyahu on the phone call. Apparently this will "normalize" relations between Israel and Turkey which is becoming more fanatically Islamist by the minute. Oh but wait, it won't "normalize" until Israel pays-up.

Related and Background:
Al-Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood  Members Suspected Aboard Turkish Flotilla