Turks, activists welcome Israel flotilla apology
- 11 years ago
Israel's deadly naval raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010.
Nine Turkish citizens were killed in the incident, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic ties between the two countries.
But on Friday, those ties began to thaw after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an official apology during a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Many have heralded the move as a step in the right direction.
This Turkish activist on board during the raid says the apology is meaningful, even nearly three years down the road.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) ACTIVIST WHO WAS ON BOARD MAVI MARMARA, EKREM ES SAYING:
"The apology is a good step for us. It is not enough and it is a belated apology, but despite everything, it means a lot that they admitted their mistake and apologised for it. This is a positive step for the people on board the Mavi Marmara. With this apology, Israel has admitted the crime it committed, so this apology means a lot for us."
Echoing his s
Nine Turkish citizens were killed in the incident, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic ties between the two countries.
But on Friday, those ties began to thaw after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an official apology during a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Many have heralded the move as a step in the right direction.
This Turkish activist on board during the raid says the apology is meaningful, even nearly three years down the road.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) ACTIVIST WHO WAS ON BOARD MAVI MARMARA, EKREM ES SAYING:
"The apology is a good step for us. It is not enough and it is a belated apology, but despite everything, it means a lot that they admitted their mistake and apologised for it. This is a positive step for the people on board the Mavi Marmara. With this apology, Israel has admitted the crime it committed, so this apology means a lot for us."
Echoing his s