Israel apologizes to Turkey: A diplomatic coup for Obama
The sudden and unexpected reconciliation could ease Israel's growing isolation in the region
On the last day of President Obama's visit to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Turkey for a commando raid in 2010 that killed nine people aboard a Turkish ship trying to break a sea blockade of the Gaza Strip. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan accepted the apology, a significant step toward reconciling the two countries after years of estrangement.
The ship, the Mavi Marmara, had led a flotilla that was trying to provide aid to Gazans, but was blocked by the Israeli military. The ensuing raid killed eight Turkish citizens and an American of Turkish origin, leading to a highly public fallout between Israel and one of its strongest Muslim allies.
The U.S., an ally of both countries, had been keen to heal the rift, which had isolated Israel further amidst widespread instability in the region stemming from the Arab Spring and the Syrian civil war. Furthermore, the U.S. wants the two countries to coordinate their responses to the Syrian conflict and Iran's suspected attempts to develop a nuclear weapon.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Obama helped facilitate the apology, huddling with Netanyahu in a "makeshift trailer set up on the tarmac of Israel's Ben Gurion airport" to place a telephone call to Erdogan, according to Josh Rogin at Foreign Policy.
According to a statement from his office, Netanyahu "expressed his apologies to the Turkish people for any error that could have led to loss of life and agreed to complete an agreement to provide compensation to the families of the victims." Netanyahu also reportedly assured Erdogan that the economic blockade around Gaza had been eased since the flotilla raid.
Erdogan's office responded that the Turkish leader told Netanyahu that he "valued [the] centuries-long strong friendship and cooperation between the Turkish and Jewish nations." As part of the discussion, Netanyahu reportedly said he appreciated Erdogan's recent attempt to distance himself from his incendiary assertion that Zionism was a "crime against humanity."
After a visit that produced no tangible progress in reviving the Arab-Israeli peace talks, the sudden reconciliation between Israel and Turkey is something of a coup for the Obama administration. The White House welcomed the detente, saying "we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
However, it's widely agreed that restoring basic diplomatic relations is just a small step. Erdogan in recent years has become an increasingly vocal champion of the Palestinian cause, making him something of a hero in the Muslim world — a cachet that he may not be willing to relinquish by deepening ties with Israel. "No one is claiming that this resolves every potential difference between Israel and Turkey," an unnamed Obama aide told The Guardian.
The big loser is the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "As Syria is entering into its third year of uprising, Ankara and Tel-Aviv will have to coordinate policy and may need to work together to contain potential risks to both countries," Suat Kiniklioglu, a former member of Erdogan's party, told CNN.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Ryu Spaeth is deputy editor at TheWeek.com. Follow him on Twitter.
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published