Israel unlikely to condemn Turkey over Palmer report

Coming UN report on first Gaza flotilla contains harsh criticism against Ankara, but Jerusalem may choose not to capitalize on it

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 07.07.11 , 08:15

The coming Palmer report, investigating the tragic events of the 2010 Gaza flotilla, is expected to harshly criticize Turkey's handling of the sail and its ties to the IHH, but according to Ynet's source, Jerusalem does not intend to propel the report's conclusions into an international media campaign that would "vindicate" Israel.

The report stands to include indirect criticism against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government's involvement in the sail, but it is believed Israel will hold back so as not to impede the efforts to stabilize relations with Turkey.

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Jerusalem and Ankara are still struggling with finalizing the report, but since Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Minister for Home Front Defense Matan Vilnai are pushing to normalize relations with Turkey, Israel will be in no hurry to capitalize on the report.

Turkey's objections to the second flotilla is also one of the reasons Israel prefers not to launch and international media campaign against Ankara.

While the Palmer report contains harsh criticism against both states, it insists Israel's maritime blockade on Gaza is legal.

Yitzhak Benhorin in Washington contributed to this report