Turkey Accepts Israel's Apology for Flotilla Raid

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accepted an apology from his Israeli counterpart over the May 2010 raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that left nine people dead on a Turkish ship, his office said Friday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the Turkish leader by phone at the end of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Israel.

"In light of Israel's investigation into the incident, which pointed to a number of operational mistakes, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed Israel's apology to the Turkish people for any mistakes that might have led to the loss of life or injury. On behalf of the Turkish people, Prime Minister Erdogan accepted this apology," the office said in a statement.

The Israeli leader followed up the apology with an announcement that the two countries had restored diplomatic relations.

The two countries, once the closest allies in the Middle East, broke off relations after the raid on the Mavi Marmara ship. The flotilla was attempting to break an Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, when it was intercepted by Israel in international waters.

Friday, March 22, 2013