Barak vs. Lieberman on Concession to Turkey

Arutz Sheva ^ | 22/7/11 | Gavriel Queenann

[Eleutheria5]

While the government has thus far refused to apologize to Turkey over a clash aboard a Gaza-bound boat in 2010, senior cabinet ministers are divided on the matter. Foremost among them are Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak; the former staunchly opposes an apology, while the latter supports it.

“This is not a legal matter, but rather a political issue, and is not a question of defending IDF soldiers but of neglecting them, of irresponsibility on the diplomatic level,” Lieberman said Thursday. “If there is an apology, that means admitting defeat on the battlefield and the political field.”

“In that case, Israel would be sending a message of weakness, confusion, and an inability to stand up to pressure,” he argued.

Barak, on the other hand, says Israel should do what is necessary to restore ties with Turkey, including apologize as Turkish leaders demand.

Supporting Barak's position are Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor (Likud) and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, who advocates apologizing for “operational mistakes” but not for stopping the Gaza-bound flotilla. Minister of Strategic Affairs Moshe “Bogie” Yaalon, on the other hand, strongly opposes an apology.

“Apologizing is taking responsibility. There is no room in my mind for any kind of apology that means taking responsibility,” he said Thursday. The government is prepared “to regret the loss of lives,” he added, but that is unlikely to satisfy Turkish leaders.

Reuters reported Thursday that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has yet to reach a decision on the issue. Netanyahu has previously stated that Israel will not apologize.

Turkey is demanding an apology over a 2010 incident in which Turkish citizens were killed after attacking IDF soldiers. The Turkish activists had attempted to forcibly violate an IDF naval blockade on Hamas, and stabbed and beat soldiers.....

[Eleutheria5]

What is it with guys with Barak in their names?

Here's how we should apologize to Turkey:

Dear Turkeys:

We are so sorry. We left some of those ass-clowns alive for you to deal with. Go ahead. Have fun. They squeal like stuck pigs when they're in pain. Next time they mess with us, however, we will not overlook them. One torpedo amidships, and down they go, with some depth charges for a kiss goodbye. So keep them home, if you care about them.

Sincerely,

(whoever the new defense minister will be) Avigdor Lieberman, Foreign Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Eleutheria5.

Binyamin Netanyahu... has previously stated that Israel will not apologize... over a 2010 incident in which Turkish citizens were killed after attacking IDF soldiers.