The proposed Israeli/Turkish rapprochement is the logical result of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ill-advised apology for the Mavi Marmara incident. The apology forced from the prime minister by President Obama gained nothing for Israel in world opinion. Indeed, it may have convinced Turkish prime minister Erdogan that he could hold out for even more Israeli concessions.
Israel is expected to establish a $20 million fund for the families of those who died on the Mavi Marmara. This will give the lie to Israel’s assertion that its actions were a necessary response to unprovoked attacks by mercenaries bent on martyrdom. Israel will no longer be able to explain its military actions as necessary and justifiable self-defense. From now on, the world will see such claims as self-serving and ultimately unreliable.
Israel may also be required to lift, or at least appear to loosen, the Gaza blockade. The world will not recognize the intricacies of a charade that leaves the blockade in place under the guise of some face-saving formula. Instead, this will be seen as an admission that the blockade is wrong; demands that it be removed entirely will increase. If the blockade is unnecessary it should have been lifted long ago. If it remains essential, then how can we justify endangering our southern citizens just to please Erdogan?
Erdogan has promised not to prosecute Israeli officers in absentia for supposed war crimes related to the Mavi Marmara incident. Israel’s willingness to pay a huge sum of money to avoid these charges will suggest an admission that our military leaders deserve to be convicted if prosecuted.
In all of this, the government will be abandoning thousands of supporters who relied on Israel’s veracity and defended its actions in the face of withering criticism. These supporters will be left swinging in the air - much like the brave Navy commandos who were forced to defend themselves against the mercenaries on-board.
The proposed agreement might provide some ephemeral benefits for the Israel/Turkey relationship. But it could well do grievous long-term harm to Israel, its supporters, and the IDF.
The author is a former US diplomat now living in Israel. He is a fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism and a co-founder of The Zichron Project, an organization dedicated to developing creative means to advance Israel's public diplomacy.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 27, 2015
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