Israeli cabinet split over Turkish workers

Permits of Turkish construction workers employed by the Israeli construction industry may not be extended amid disagreement in Tel Aviv over giving an apology to Turkey for last year's deadly raid on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara aid ship, Israeli daily Haaretz reported yesterday. The disagreement between Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman over whether to apologize to Turkey for the raid has flared into a broader conflict over the employment of 350 Turkish construction workers. Israel agreed to grant the visas to the workers employed by Yilmazlar during Ariel Sharon's term as prime minister as part of an agreement. Under the agreement, Israel Military Industries received a contract to upgrade Turkish tanks. According to Foreign Ministry sources, Yilmazlar's owner, Ahmet Reyiz Yilmaz, has recently established a political party that has an anti-Israel platform. The Defense Ministry is fighting to extend the visas, saying any change would damage Israel's already dismal relations with Turkey, and could lead to a suit for compensation by Yilmazlar.