Washington - US to Israel: Apologize to Turkey, or Else; But Netanyahu Says No |
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News Source: Israel Today / IsraelNN
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Washington - Israel’s largest daily newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, reported on Wednesday that the Obama Administration is threatening Israel to either apologize to Turkey over its bloody interception of a Gaza aid flotilla last year, or risk strained ties with Washington.
Israeli diplomats in Washington told the newspaper that they had received a communique from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insisting that the rift between Israel and Turkey was harming American interests in the region, such as affecting regime change in neighboring Syria.
But Israel does not intend to apologize to Turkey for the deaths of Turkish pro-Hamas activists who attacked IDF soldiers, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday. Clinton and U.S. President Barack Obama have pressured Israel recently to improve ties with Turkey.
With his statement to Clinton Netanyahu sided with his Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, and Minister of Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon, who have argued against an apology. Defense Minister Ehud Barak has argued that Israel should apologize if doing so would improve ties with Turkey
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Read Comments (46) — Post Yours »
1
Aug 17, 2011 at 07:40 AM MosheM Says:Report as Inappropriate
Obama is an idiot! Apologize for killing mercenaries!?
2
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:09 AM scientist Says:Report as Inappropriate
If so I would say cut off ties with obama, and become close to china, and then we will see if obama will like this.
3
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:10 AM Peter Says:Report as Inappropriate
Do NOT apologize, Netanyahu. Israel did nothing wrong. Turkey owes Israel an apology. The Obama administration has the worst foreign policy since Jimmy Carter and Herbert Hoover. Netanyahu, remain strong. You have a backbone; Obama does not.
4
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:15 AM M R Says:Report as Inappropriate
Bibi tell obama when he'll apologize to osama --Israel will apologize to turkey -CRAZY !
5
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:20 AM sam_i_am Says:Report as Inappropriate
A day after the united states apologizes to pakistan. For killing osama bin laden
6
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:22 AM kvetcher Says:Report as Inappropriate
Here's an idea:
Why not pressure Turkey to GET OVER IT?
7
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:23 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
If Washington wants to see Israel apologize for the incursion that was meant to ensure Israels security, maybe D.C. has a better plan to keep the State of Israel safe. Lets see what they have to say to that.
8
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:23 AM DB_from_LI Says:Report as Inappropriate
"or risk strained ties with Washington." As opposed to what we've had so far? Obama managed to strain relations with Israel all on his own. Now he needs a reason to "prove" why he was "right" all along. I wonder if this is coming from his newly appointed Jewish relations adviser?
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Aug 17, 2011 at 08:33 AM YOELYG Says:Report as Inappropriate
Netanyahu: don't be a wise guy, pls apologize & finish, don't fight with the all world especially w/ur only freind america, mistakes happens
10
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:39 AM walkinsilence Says:Report as Inappropriate
The White House should apologize to the American citizens for domestic & foreign policy failures.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 09:02 AM Yossi Says:Report as Inappropriate
We all know Israel WILL apologize sooner or later, so why not just do it now and be done with it?
13
Aug 17, 2011 at 09:16 AM scmaness Says:Report as Inappropriate
forget it,netanya we all want the geula,remain strong and stop destroying the settlements
14
Aug 17, 2011 at 09:19 AM wisconsinyid Says:Report as Inappropriate
Obama, you should apologize to Israel for betraying her!!!!!
15
Aug 17, 2011 at 09:24 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
the comments above underestimate how much Israel needs the US and how little the US needs Israel.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 09:25 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Netanyahu: don't be a wise guy, pls apologize & finish, don't fight with the all world especially w/ur only freind america, mistakes happens ”
Go back to Koilel, NOW !!
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Aug 17, 2011 at 09:36 AM ChachoMoe Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Netanyahu: don't be a wise guy, pls apologize & finish, don't fight with the all world especially w/ur only freind america, mistakes happens ”
I hope you realize NoBama does not represent any of US Americans. Let him go ahead and have his bowing to terrorist policy, Israel and the rest of the ppl not livingvin LaLa land do not have to take his nor jimmy peanut's fantasies. and as far as i remember last time i checked, Turkey will only accept an apoligy if Israel will state that they were wrong.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 09:37 AM Benny Says:Report as Inappropriate
This president did more damage than any terrorist will ever do!
He messed up an economy.
He messed up every good relationship with those countries that America had as a friend
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Aug 17, 2011 at 09:49 AM villyamsburger Says:Report as Inappropriate
Real men apologize! Right or wrong don't be all girly say sorry and move on!!!
21
Aug 17, 2011 at 09:50 AM Mike Says:Report as Inappropriate
Obama: LEAVE ISRAEL ALONE!
"Israel’s largest daily newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, reported on Wednesday that the Obama Administration is threatening Israel to either apologize to Turkey over its bloody interception of a Gaza aid flotilla last year, or risk strained ties with Washington."
Oh, and right now the ties aren't strained thanks to Obama?
Maybe Turkey should first apologize for the Armenian genocide that many of its politicians and residents still don't acknowledge.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 09:55 AM Raphael_Kaufman Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Do NOT apologize, Netanyahu. Israel did nothing wrong. Turkey owes Israel an apology. The Obama administration has the worst foreign policy since Jimmy Carter and Herbert Hoover. Netanyahu, remain strong. You have a backbone; Obama does not. ”
What were Hoover's foreign policy failures? G-d knows he had enough domestic problems.
23
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:17 AM alterknaker Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Go back to Koilel, NOW !! ”
One would think that you are the smartest and the man of the world, do you think that because you're not in kolel that's why you would be smart? Oi a broch, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, don't be so hot headed, not everyones mind has to work your way
24
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:19 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ the comments above underestimate how much Israel needs the US and how little the US needs Israel. ”
Correct. In the "good old days" of the USSR, Israel was useful to prevent a total Soviet takeover of the Middle East. What advantage is there NOW, to a close relationship with Israel? In fact, one could argue that America only harms herself by continuing to support Israel.
25
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:25 AM Barry521 Says:Report as Inappropriate
Barack, You ROCK! It seems the liberal bent Jews have gotten what they paid and voted for. The CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!
To my fellow Jews, Give the messiah more support, and more of your money for his reelection. You haven't learned your lessons yet.
How many more chickens have to come home to roost do you need before you all wake up, and throw him and his allies out of office?
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Aug 17, 2011 at 10:34 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ One would think that you are the smartest and the man of the world, do you think that because you're not in kolel that's why you would be smart? Oi a broch, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, don't be so hot headed, not everyones mind has to work your way ”
Has nothing to do with smartness, its just political common sense, and it wasn't meant to put him down, i wish i can still be in Koilel!!
27
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:38 AM yaakov321 Says:Report as Inappropriate
I do not believe that Mr. Obama has a vendetta agaisnt Israel. I somewhat hedge to think that there is some truth in his own calibre when it comes to making a national outcry. To date, I have not heard this one on the news circuits and only on VIN which makes me wonder as to its true level of bearing on the office of the president and the relationship with Eretz Yisrael. So that considered, I am a fellow who is not angry with Mr. Obama in any way and if he truly calls upon Israel for some sort of concern regarding this situation, I will wait until the discussions are made to render my full thoughts on this matter. Mr. Obama gives me some doubt that maybe this was not the most ideal situation (of course- noone wants a loss of life). But to be quite plain here, I am a strong supporter of Israel and I will await further discussion on this issue before I jump the bandwagon of Obama haters and condemn our president.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 10:45 AM curious Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Netanyahu: don't be a wise guy, pls apologize & finish, don't fight with the all world especially w/ur only freind america, mistakes happens ”
you know absolutely nothing about foreign policy you can't just apologize there are always a lot of strings attached
29
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:57 AM Yossi Says:Report as Inappropriate
I think Obama should apologize to IRAQ..where is the weapons of mass destruction..?
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Aug 17, 2011 at 10:58 AM NACHMAN Says:Report as Inappropriate
Barrack Hussain Obama cares very little about the state of Israel and even less about the Jews. He onle cares about the Jews money and Votes.
It is time we wake up and throw this rascal out.
31
Aug 17, 2011 at 11:01 AM sane Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Correct. In the "good old days" of the USSR, Israel was useful to prevent a total Soviet takeover of the Middle East. What advantage is there NOW, to a close relationship with Israel? In fact, one could argue that America only harms herself by continuing to support Israel. ”
Israel has always served as a counterbalance to Iraqi and Iranian designs for hegemony of the region. Although the Iraqi threat is gone - the Iranian one still very much exists and grows. Indeed, there may well be secret cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Gulf states on this issue. While perhaps Israel needs the U.S. more that the U.S. needs Israel, it is still vital to American interests in the region.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 11:10 AM DSarna Says:Report as Inappropriate
Maybe Israel should apologize to Nazi Germany, Y"S. Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton confuse the aggressor - who also made a holocaust against the Armenians and who bombed Cyrus - with the victim, Israel.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 11:16 AM MazelKGH Says:Report as Inappropriate
Israel loves Turkey. Love is never having to say you're sorry.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 11:48 AM Mike Says:Report as Inappropriate
Question: Does the US need Israel, or does Israel need the US?
Answer: In Genesis 12:3, we find Hashem's blessing to our father Abraham - "And I [Hashem] shall bless those who bless you [Israel], and I shall curse those who curse you."
Rav Meir Kahane (z"l, hy"d) argued that the US does not help Israel b/c the US is "good"; the US helps Israel for selfish reasons. Once those reasons are gone (i.e., we no longer fear a Soviet takeover of the Middle East), the US will cease to help Israel.
Why did the anti-Semite Nixon help Israel in 1973? Because he hated the Commies more than he hated the Yidden! But now the USSR is no more..
And it's not just Obama; Bush, Clinton, Carter, even Reagan were all upset by one thing or another in Eretz Yisroel, which WE believe was given to klal Yisroel in its entirety by Hashem.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 12:41 PM walkinsilence Says:Report as Inappropriate
Q: What ' s the difference between Obama ' s cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers,
and threats to society.
The other is for housing prisoners.
--David Letterman
36
Aug 17, 2011 at 12:43 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Question: Does the US need Israel, or does Israel need the US?
Answer: In Genesis 12:3, we find Hashem's blessing to our father Abraham - "And I [Hashem] shall bless those who bless you [Israel], and I shall curse those who curse you."
Rav Meir Kahane (z"l, hy"d) argued that the US does not help Israel b/c the US is "good"; the US helps Israel for selfish reasons. Once those reasons are gone (i.e., we no longer fear a Soviet takeover of the Middle East), the US will cease to help Israel.
Why did the anti-Semite Nixon help Israel in 1973? Because he hated the Commies more than he hated the Yidden! But now the USSR is no more..
And it's not just Obama; Bush, Clinton, Carter, even Reagan were all upset by one thing or another in Eretz Yisroel, which WE believe was given to klal Yisroel in its entirety by Hashem. ”
The USA helps Israel becuase Hashems providence shines brightly on the American Nation and it clearly involves a plan with the Jewish nation.
37
Aug 17, 2011 at 01:24 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Israel should not apologize since it will do no good. Turkey has turned away from the west and is looking to control the middle east along with Iran. Check it out and you will see I am right. Germany is not as stupid as nobama since it does not want Turkey in the EU and you can see what is really happening. Turkey is turning more and more into another Religious Moslem state and is going to act more and more like Iran
38
Aug 17, 2011 at 01:38 PM allmark Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Netanyahu: don't be a wise guy, pls apologize & finish, don't fight with the all world especially w/ur only freind america, mistakes happens ”
Apologize for what exactly? Israel was entirely within its rights to impose the blockade and to enforce it. IDF soldiers were attacked ant they defended themselves.
Since Israel didn't do anything wrong, there is nothing to apologize for.
39
Aug 17, 2011 at 01:41 PM jacob Says:Report as Inappropriate
Do you guys remember afew days ago there was an article at VIN that hussain called BIBI "just to say hello", and we were all wondering what it was all about, well, now we know already what "little BERRY" wanted, just some more hatred. ISRAEL: DO NOT FALL FOR THIS, DONT APOLOGIZE.
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Aug 17, 2011 at 01:43 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Israel did indeed have to prottect its citzens and soldiers. The killngs were necessary. However, moshiach is not here yet. As such it wouldn't be such a bad idea to play along and give some parve apology (like we regret the loss of any innocent civillians while protecting our troops). Even if they deserve it such is the way of yakov with esav. ( I know Turkey is Yishmoel, but the same rules apply) For the saftey of everyone you have to lie and chonfa the enemy sometimes.
41
Aug 17, 2011 at 01:45 PM sane Says:Report as Inappropriate
How many thousands of innocent Serb civilians did Hillary's hubby kill when he bombed Serbia for 70 days? I have not heard an apology. I
42
Aug 17, 2011 at 02:30 PM yosefben Says:Report as Inappropriate
This Obama situation gets more silly every day. The article says that Clinton intimates that Israel is hampering "American interests in the region, such as affecting regime change in neighboring Syria". Are you serious? It was less than a month before Al-Assad's crackdown on his people that Sec Clinton called Assad a great reformer.
43
Aug 17, 2011 at 03:10 PM ShmuelG Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ We all know Israel WILL apologize sooner or later, so why not just do it now and be done with it? ”
I fear you are right.
44
Aug 17, 2011 at 05:21 PM grandson1 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Netanyahu: don't be a wise guy, pls apologize & finish, don't fight with the all world especially w/ur only freind america, mistakes happens ”
You are abigger idiot than Hillary.
45
Aug 17, 2011 at 09:00 PM LashonTov Says:Report as Inappropriate
And this is the man Young Israel thinks will let Jonathan Pollard out of jail? This story should drive home the point that Obama cares not one iota about Jews nor Israel!
Jonathan Pollard needs to apply for parole quietly and stay below the White House's attention.
46
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:12 PM amerikaner Says:Report as Inappropriate
Hashem will ALWAYS help Israel and send His shlichim - it may be China soon!! Obama can do what Dictator Obama wants to do (if Congress will let him) until Nov 2012.
47
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:26 PM shooki Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Israel did indeed have to prottect its citzens and soldiers. The killngs were necessary. However, moshiach is not here yet. As such it wouldn't be such a bad idea to play along and give some parve apology (like we regret the loss of any innocent civillians while protecting our troops). Even if they deserve it such is the way of yakov with esav. ( I know Turkey is Yishmoel, but the same rules apply) For the saftey of everyone you have to lie and chonfa the enemy sometimes. ”
You explained it right and to the point. I agree with your opinion. I'm not so familiar with the politics but it makes sense.... Apologizing doesn't mean that you were wrong, or the other person was right. It means you value your relationship more!!