Obama Demands Turkey To End Crisis With Israel

Tuesday July 19, 2011 20:21 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported Tuesday that American President, Barack Obama, is demanding Turkey to end its crisis with Israel in order to avoid any further deterioration in the relations between the two countries.

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During her last week’s visit to Ankara, U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, delivered a message from Obama to his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gül, regarding the crisis in the Turkish-Israeli relations.

Haaretz said that Clinton also discussed the issue with Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu.

The Turkish officials responded by reiterating their demands regarding an official apology from Tel Aviv, and compensation to the families of the Turkish victims who were killed and injured when the Israeli Navy attacked the MV Marmara Turkish ship of the Freedom Flotilla last year, killing nine Turkish activists, and wounding dozens of activists before towing the ship to Ashdod Port.

An Israeli official stated that the United States is currently heavily involved in the efforts to mend the Turkish-Israeli relations, and that the United Nations delayed the publication of its report on the attack against the ship due to extensive pressure by Clinton and by the US envoy to the UN, Suzan Rice, targeting UN Chief, Ban ki-Moon.

According to Haaretz, the United States is extremely concerned about the deteriorating relations between Tel Aviv and Ankara, and is worried that further deterioration could take place.

On Tuesday, the Israeli Navy stopped the Dignity solidarity ship that was heading to the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian supplies. No clashes were reported.

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