Turkish Gaza flotilla victims to go to court despite Israeli apology

[Jefferson23]

As part of compensation agreement with Turkey, Israel wants lawsuits against its soldiers to be dropped, but an Istanbul court is hearing charges filed against four of Israel's most senior retired commanders, which could carry life sentences.

By Reuters | Apr.08, 2013 | 6:18 PM |

snip*In a rapprochement brokered by U.S. President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan on March 22 for the killings, pledged compensation to the bereaved or hurt and agreed to ease a six-year blockade on Gaza. Erdogan said these gestures met his conditions for normalizing relations with its erstwhile ally.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said while visiting Istanbul on Sunday that restoring full ties between Turkey and Israel was vital to regional stability. With the apology, Israel aimed to end a three-year diplomatic crisis with Turkey, once its closest regional ally, that erupted when Israeli soldiers stormed an international flotilla carrying relief aid to challenge the Gaza blockade.

As part of the agreement on compensation, Israel wants lawsuits against its soldiers to be dropped.

"We will continue with the criminal lawsuits we have opened against the Israeli soldiers and commanders, and we won't accept dropping this suit if compensation is paid," said Musa Cogas, who was wounded by Israeli gunfire on board the Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara, part of a flotilla carrying aid to Palestinians.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/turkish-gaza-flotilla-victims-to-go-to-court-despite-israeli-apology-1.514357#