Israeli army, defense ministry reportedly favor apologizing to Turkey for Mavi Marmara raid

Both the Israeli Army and the Defense Ministry are privately urging that Tel Aviv consider offering an apology to Ankara for last year's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship, Israel's Channel 2 television reported this week. Israeli officers reportedly argued that offering an apology would protect Israeli officers and soldiers who were involved in the raid from being prosecuted outside Israel's borders. The officers cited an UN panel report into the raid on the Mavi Marmara aid ship, resulting in the deaths of nine Turkish peace activists, which reportedly accuses Israel of using force prematurely and causing "unacceptable" deaths while being unable to justify the killings. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon's opposition to any apology are misguided, according to the officers, arguing that offering one would serve the interests of the Israeli Army and security forces.