Arrogance and Threats

Israel is refusing to back down in its increasingly fragile relationship with Turkey. Despite Turkish demands, Israel has steadfastly refused to admit wrong doing or apologize for its attack on a Turkish ship attempting to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. Relations between Israel and Turkey have been souring since Israel implemented its blockade of Gaza in 2007. Things took a turn for the worse when Israel boarded a ship seeking to circumvent the blockade and killed 8 Turks and a Turkish American. While the U.S. has shrugged off the death of the American, the Turks have taken the death of 8 of their citizens very seriously. Despite Turkish demands, not only has Israel refused to apologize, it has threatened to up the stakes.

Israel is considering taking steps to assist Ankara's long time nemesis, the Armenians, Israel is also contemplating aiding the Kurds in their bitter conflict with Turkey. A number of diplomatic and trade options are on the table as well. "We'll exact a price for (Turkish Prime Minister) Erdogan that will prove to him that messing with Israel doesn't pay off" growled Israel's foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. From Lieberman's tone one might almost think eight Israelis died in a Turkish raid. As if that weren't enough, Israel is expected to lobby Washington in hopes of garnering U.S. support for its moves against Turkey. It is hoped that if the U.S. has to choose between coming down on the side of Turkey or the side of Israel it will be on the side of Israel. That is a very reasonable hope.

Israel may have acted legally under international law in intercepting and boarding the the Turkish ship. It may have been justified in using force to protect its soldiers once they were aboard that ship. But they have created a serious diplomatic imbroglio by refusing to budge and acknowledge they bear any responsibility for the bungled operation and the resulting deaths of the eight Turks. So determined is Israel to deny any culpability they have responded to Turkish anger by issuing threats.

Turkey is not asking for reparations. It is simply asking for an an acknowledgement of responsibility and an apology.  Had Israel admitted some culpability for the deaths of the Turks and apologized the issue would have ended. But an apology requires an admission of guilt. Israel refuses to admit it has done anything wrong and so claims it bears no guilt. Some believe that Turkey is not really interested in an apology. They suspect Turkey is trying to exploit the situation to its advantage. Some in Israel feel an apology would be act of weakness, as if should Israel apologize to Turkey for killing Turkish citizens, it will have to apologize to other nations for killing their citizens as well. Should that precedent be set, many feel that Israel would surely be doomed: which brings to mind the old Chinese adage that he who rides the tiger is afraid to get off.

Turkey is a member of NATO. Israel is not. In the growing tension between Israel and Turkey, where does NATO stand on the issue? Why the timidness? Should armed conflict arise between Turkey and Israel, however remote the chance, would Europe honor its treaty and come to the aid of Turkey? Or would it be the end of NATO?

In regard to the U.S., that is a rhetorical question. I know the answer. The question I do have is whether the U.S. is so blind and absolute in its loyalty to Israel that it is willing to tolerate a fellow NATO member being abused and threatened. I suppose that is a rhetorical question too.