Turkish, Israeli diplomats seek proper wording for Mavi Maramara statement

Israeli and Turkish diplomats at the United Nations are working out the proper wording for a statement regarding last year's deadly Mavi Marmara incident that would satisfy both sides, the Jerusalem Post reported on Monday. According to the report, the statement will take the place of an official report reportedly blaming both sides for the incident that is set to be released soon. Concerning the May 2010 Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship, resulting in the deaths of nine Turkish peace activists, Turkey has demanded an official apology and compensation for families of the victims, while Israel says its soldiers acted in self-defense. The statement, said the Post story, "would not dwell on what happened last May but rather how to get over the incident and move forward." Also according to the story, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a private meeting on Monday that it is "too early to tell" if a turning point in relations with Turkey is imminent, but that the potential for change is there.