Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 28 / Trend N. Guliyev /
There was always a hidden rivalry between Turkey and Israel for a position in the region. The attack on "Freedom Flotilla" was the beginning of open competition, Saudi researcher Ismail Yasha said.
"Turkey and Israel are fighting for an advantageous position in the region. The attack on the Freedom Flotilla is not the main cause of deteriorating the relations," he said.
The relations between Turkey and Israel, cooperating closely in the military-political sphere till the recent time, worsened after the attacks committed by the Israeli military in the marine convoy "Freedom Flotilla" on May 31, which was moving with humanitarian goods to the Gaza.
After the attack in which nine Turks were killed, Ankara announced about reconsidering the relations with Tel Aviv. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of conducting the policy of "state terrorism" and called for formal apology for the attack on the International marine convoy "Freedom Flotilla" and compensation to the families of Turks killed in this incident.
Lieberman said that Israel will not apologize to Turkey and the international community for an attack on" Freedom Flotilla" attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He said that Turkey must apologize for supporting terrorism as a charity fund - organizer of the fleet has close ties with the militants of Hamas and Hezbollah.
He said that as a result of disputes arising between Ankara and Tel Aviv, Turkey has received the support of Arab and Islamic world.
He said that Turkey has nothing to lose even if relations with Tel Aviv are fully ceased. "Ankara won political support for Arab and Islamic world amid the disagreements with Tel-Aviv," he said.
