Israel won't apologise for Turkish deaths
2011-07-21 18:58
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Jerusalem - An Israeli cabinet minister says Israel won't apologise for killing nine Turkish activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla last year.
Moshe Yaalon says he recently held three rounds of talks with the Turks, who demand such an apology to help mend frayed ties. But he says "we are not ready to apologise".
However, he hinted the position could change, saying "there might be some dispute" within the cabinet.
The activists were trying to breach Israel's naval embargo of Gaza. Israel maintains that commandos who raided the ship opened fire because activists attacked them.
The activists say they were attacked first.
Yaalon says an upcoming UN report on the raid is expected to defend the naval operation and the blockade but accuse Israel of using excessive force.
- AP
