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Hurriyet said Israel fears an apology may facilitate lawsuits against commando perpetrators and their commanders. Moreover, its authorities never say they're sorry or admit wrongdoing, even when caught red-handed. In fact, there's no disputing what they did in May 2010. Lies, coverup and denials change none of the facts.
Ravid's same day article headlined, "Turkey threatens diplomatic action pending Israel apology for Gaza flotilla raid," saying:
Turkey's backup plan if Israel won't apologize includes "further downgrading relations (already) on shaky ground."
On July 23, Hurriyet said it'll reduce its Tel Aviv presence further. In fact, there's been no ambassador there for over a year. After Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon insulted former ambassador Ahmet Oguz Celikkol, he left. Kerim Uras was appointed to replace him, but Israel's refusal to apologize delayed his posting.
Turkey had been represented by its deputy ambassador, but he also left after serving there for three years, maybe just as fed up with Israeli antics. According to Hurriyet, unless Israel apologizes, he won't be replaced, leaving only a second secretary in place.
Without an apology, Erdogan also plans visiting Gaza as part of his backup plan, entering through Rafah Crossing during an Egypt visit. Originally scheduled for July 21, he postponed it to give Israel more time.
Turkish envoy Ozdem Sanberk named a July 27 deadline. The Turkish newspaper Sabah said an agreement in principle was reached in which Israel would apologize for an operational failure, causing nine deaths.
If issued, it will be an offensive, mealy mouthed gesture, so outrageous, in fact, it's hard imagining any government would accept it.
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