Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized on Friday to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a 2010 raid on a Turkish flotilla ship that left nine people dead, a move that will help restore strained ties between the countries.
The call, which happened as President Barack Obama wrapped up his first presidential visit to Israel, was an unexpected outcome from a Mideast trip that seemed to yield few concrete steps.
Mr. Netanyahu's office confirmed that the Israeli leader, in a conversation with Mr. Erdogan, "agreed to restore normalization between Israel and Turkey, including the dispatch of ambassadors and the cancellation of legal steps against [Israeli Defense Forces] soldiers." Mr. Erdogan accepted the Israeli apology, the prime minister's office said.
Mr. Erdogan has long sought an apology for the raid in May 2010 on the Mavi Marmara, which was part of a flotilla that sought to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. An Israeli raid on the ship left nine passengers dead, all of them Turkish or of Turkish descent.
"In light of the Israeli investigation into the incident, which pointed out several operational errors, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized to the Turkish people for any errors that could have led to loss of life and agreed to complete the agreement on compensation," the statement said.
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that what happened on board the Mavi Marmara was "unintentional and Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life," according to the statement.
The two sides agreed to resolve compensation and liability, Turkey said.
The incident was a subject of talks between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Obama during the president's trip to Israel this week, officials said.
Mr. Netanyahu met Mr. Obama at the airport before he departed Israel Friday, and the Israeli prime minister placed the call to Turkey from a trailer there, speaking to Mr. Erdogan for about 30 minutes. Mr. Obama also spoke to Mr. Erdogan, officials said.
Senior U.S. administration officials described the phone call between the Turkish and Israeli leaders as the "first step toward normalization of relations" between the two countries.
An Israeli official said restoring bilateral ties is important for strategic cooperation in the region, particularly in light of instability in Syria.
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that he would continue to ease restrictions on Palestinians living in Gaza as long as the security situation remained quiet.
In a statement, Mr. Obama said he welcomed the call between Israeli and Turkish leaders.
"The United States deeply values our close partnerships with both Turkey and Israel, and we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations between them in order to advance regional peace and security," Mr. Obama said. "I am hopeful that today's exchange between the two leaders will enable them to engage in deeper cooperation on this and a range of other challenges and opportunities."
Statement From Netanyahu's Office
Mr. Netanyahu's office confirmed the Israeli leader spoke with Mr. Erdogan and "agreed to restore normalization between Israel and Turkey, including the dispatch of ambassadors and the cancellation of legal steps against IDF soldiers."
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that what happened on board the Mavi Marmara was "unintentional and Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life," according to the statement.
"In light of the Israeli investigation into the incident, which pointed out several operational errors, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized to the Turkish people for any errors that could have led to loss of life and agreed to complete the agreement on compensation," the statement said.
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that he would continue to ease restrictions on Palestinians living in Gaza as long as the security situation remained quiet.
Statement From Erdogan's Office
Prime Minister Erdogan spoke today with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel.
He told him of the importance he attaches to the shared history and centuries old ties of strong friendship and cooperation between the Jewish and Turkish peoples. He said the recent deterioration of the relationship between Turkey and Israel, which he sees as having vital strategic importance for the peace and stability of the region is regrettable. He reiterated Turkey's support for all international and regional efforts to find a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict on the basis of the two-state vision.
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 Erdoğan accepted this apology.
They have also agreed to conclude an agreement on compensation/nonliability.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also noted that Israel had substantially lifted the restrictions on the entry of civilian goods into the Palestinian territories, including Gaza, and that this would continue as long as calm prevailed.
The two leaders agreed to work together to improve the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories.
The call, which happened as President Barack Obama wrapped up his first presidential visit to Israel, was an unexpected outcome from a Mideast trip that seemed to yield few concrete steps.
Mr. Netanyahu's office confirmed that the Israeli leader, in a conversation with Mr. Erdogan, "agreed to restore normalization between Israel and Turkey, including the dispatch of ambassadors and the cancellation of legal steps against [Israeli Defense Forces] soldiers." Mr. Erdogan accepted the Israeli apology, the prime minister's office said.
Mr. Erdogan has long sought an apology for the raid in May 2010 on the Mavi Marmara, which was part of a flotilla that sought to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. An Israeli raid on the ship left nine passengers dead, all of them Turkish or of Turkish descent.
"In light of the Israeli investigation into the incident, which pointed out several operational errors, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized to the Turkish people for any errors that could have led to loss of life and agreed to complete the agreement on compensation," the statement said.
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that what happened on board the Mavi Marmara was "unintentional and Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life," according to the statement.
The two sides agreed to resolve compensation and liability, Turkey said.
The incident was a subject of talks between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Obama during the president's trip to Israel this week, officials said.
Mr. Netanyahu met Mr. Obama at the airport before he departed Israel Friday, and the Israeli prime minister placed the call to Turkey from a trailer there, speaking to Mr. Erdogan for about 30 minutes. Mr. Obama also spoke to Mr. Erdogan, officials said.
Senior U.S. administration officials described the phone call between the Turkish and Israeli leaders as the "first step toward normalization of relations" between the two countries.
An Israeli official said restoring bilateral ties is important for strategic cooperation in the region, particularly in light of instability in Syria.
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that he would continue to ease restrictions on Palestinians living in Gaza as long as the security situation remained quiet.
In a statement, Mr. Obama said he welcomed the call between Israeli and Turkish leaders.
"The United States deeply values our close partnerships with both Turkey and Israel, and we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations between them in order to advance regional peace and security," Mr. Obama said. "I am hopeful that today's exchange between the two leaders will enable them to engage in deeper cooperation on this and a range of other challenges and opportunities."
Statement From Netanyahu's Office
Mr. Netanyahu's office confirmed the Israeli leader spoke with Mr. Erdogan and "agreed to restore normalization between Israel and Turkey, including the dispatch of ambassadors and the cancellation of legal steps against IDF soldiers."
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that what happened on board the Mavi Marmara was "unintentional and Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life," according to the statement.
"In light of the Israeli investigation into the incident, which pointed out several operational errors, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized to the Turkish people for any errors that could have led to loss of life and agreed to complete the agreement on compensation," the statement said.
Mr. Netanyahu told Mr. Erdogan that he would continue to ease restrictions on Palestinians living in Gaza as long as the security situation remained quiet.
Statement From Erdogan's Office
Prime Minister Erdogan spoke today with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel.
He told him of the importance he attaches to the shared history and centuries old ties of strong friendship and cooperation between the Jewish and Turkish peoples. He said the recent deterioration of the relationship between Turkey and Israel, which he sees as having vital strategic importance for the peace and stability of the region is regrettable. He reiterated Turkey's support for all international and regional efforts to find a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict on the basis of the two-state vision.
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 Erdoğan accepted this apology.
They have also agreed to conclude an agreement on compensation/nonliability.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also noted that Israel had substantially lifted the restrictions on the entry of civilian goods into the Palestinian territories, including Gaza, and that this would continue as long as calm prevailed.
The two leaders agreed to work together to improve the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories.
