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(Reuters) - Israel apologized to Turkey on Friday for killing nine Turkish citizens in a 2010 naval raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla and the two feuding U.S. allies agreed to normalize relations in a surprise breakthrough announced by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The rapprochement could help regional coordination to contain spillover from the Syrian civil war and ease Israel's diplomatic isolation in the Middle East as it faces challenges posed by Iran's nuclear program.


In a statement released by the White House only minutes before Obama ended a visit to Israel, the president said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan had spoken by telephone.

"The United States deeply values our close partnerships with both Turkey and Israel, and we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations between them in order to advance regional peace and security," Obama said.

The first conversation between the two leaders since 2011, when Netanyahu phoned to offer help after an earthquake struck Turkey, gave Obama a diplomatic triumph in a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories in which he offered no new plan to revive peace talks frozen for nearly three years.

The 30-minute call was made in a runway trailer at Tel Aviv airport, where Obama and Netanyahu huddled before the president boarded Air Force One for a flight to Jordan, U.S. officials said.

Israel bowed to a long-standing demand by Ankara, once a close strategic partner, to apologize formally for the deaths aboard the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, which was boarded by Israeli marines who intercepted a flotilla challenging Israel's naval blockade of the Palestinian-run Gaza Strip.

"In light of Israel's investigation into the incident which pointed to a number of operational mistakes, the prime minister expressed Israel's apology to the Turkish people for any mistakes that might have led to the loss of life or injury," Netanyahu's office said in a statement in English.

It added that he had agreed to conclude an agreement on compensation.

Netanyahu and Erdogan "agreed to restore normalization between the two countries, including returning their ambassadors (to their posts)," the statement said.

A statement issued by Erdogan's office said he had "accepted this apology." It also said the Turkish leader told Netanyahu "that he valued centuries-long strong friendship and cooperation between the Turkish and Jewish nations".

HD, is this true? If yes, it's pretty significant. Turkey is big enough to make a difference.

For what?


MORE US taxpayer money?


Gimmie a break.

not sure what you think I meant.
should be clear that Israel's security could only be enhanced if Turkey calmed down and returned to the way things were. Certainly they may go the way of Egypt as Wheel said, but they had been pretty hostile toward Israel of late anyway. Of course, they have been pretty hostile toward Syria too...

This may not fix it, but it might improve it.

I was merely being polite to you by overlooking your atrocious reading comprehension skills.

Back up a couple entries and consider these words again...I did not write that I didn't understand what YOU wrote, I stated "not sure what you think I meant".

If it makes you happy to turn all of your misunderstandings into endless repetetive mouth foaming, so be it. But before you mistakenly replied to what I had not said, I gave you no reason to have a psychotic episode. Your error entirely.

My thoughts in replying to the op are simple for most readers, so slow down, stop reading with your fingers hovering over the keyboard. It's simple, no need to twist my words... if Turkey normalizes relations with Israel that would be big for Israel's security. I did not address my nor your tax dollars going anywhere. The US wasn't in my thoughts.

No need to say it, I accept your apology.

BTW, while you're at it, send a bill to Egypt for the same billions owed with absolutely nothing to show for it except poor quality cotton shirts and sheets.

I totally agree with you about Egypt's value under the Mubarak regime, but the good Doctor was the one who brought up his belief that Israel has been of no value to us at all, which is not only ignorant but off topic in this thread. As long as we are all aware that Egypt was receiving nearly the same support from us as Israel all those years since Sadat saw the light.

If he wants to say all the aid to Israel was money down the toilet, that's a different topic than this thread which is about Obama having success in pressuring Netty into making nice to Turkey. Name calling aside, that is a win for Obama and for Israel's security. And that is what HD's article spoke about.

You were there, how is this a negative for them? I'd rather discuss than have this degenerate into calling everyone with whom we disagree ugly gay names. Can we do that?

I know it's threadjacking, but I am interested why you were there, and I am jealous, too.

Spelling is not an issue when it comes to Arabic names.

We have "benefited" by also having to prop up every other military/economy in that whole region so the rest won't attack Isreal

So we have "prevented" all out war in the Middle East

Hey.....Egypt built the Pyramids! One of the great wonders of the world.

you forgot about the singing bush.....

Wait....what....I was tricked by a conniving Jew? I think there is a stereotype hiding in there somewhere!

I'm sure you know however that recent archeology doesn't support the myth that Jewish slaves built the pyramids.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/who-built-the-pyramids.html

In looking at the last 2000+ years of history, they probably should have gotten a warranty deed from God.

Happy Passover and a Joyful Easter to you as well!

When are the Palestinians going to apologize for shelling Israel every day?

The Libtard media only reports the occasional Israeli infraction, while totally
ignoring the constant Palestinian attacks, which indiscriminately harm
women, students and children.

Obama didn't solve a thing. Obama doesn't know anything. In fact he is
a complete embarrassment in almost every skill required of a President.
He's more of a reality TV show contestant, than a competent leader or
statesman.

jmho

Maybe when Israel dismantles the concentration camp walls.

That is an excessive commission. No wonder God got banned from the region.

dude, repeat after me...it's cause and effect, not effect and cause.
and wrong thread!
Nothing to add on Turkey/Israel love-in?

How is this a negative for them?

Besides the fact that this will be telegraphed throughout the UN and Middle East that Israel admits to slaughtering peace-loving Muslims?

As to why I was there: business. Can't discuss that.

But I will tell you this: Israeli women are pretty hot. Especially the ones whose personal trainers have them working out at the beach, where I can watch them while I eat breakfast.