This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21902273

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Israel PM apologies for Gaza flotilla deaths Israel PM apologies for Gaza flotilla deaths
(35 minutes later)
Israel's prime minister has apologised to Turkey for any mistakes that could have resulted in the loss of lives during the 2010 raid on a flotilla that tried to breach the blockade of Gaza. Israel's prime minister has apologised to Turkey for "any errors that could have led to loss of life" during the 2010 commando raid on an aid flotilla that tried to breach the Gaza blockade.
In a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to compensate the families of the victims. Benjamin Netanyahu also agreed with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to compensate the families of the nine activists who were killed.
Mr Netanyahu had previously only expressed regret for the nine deaths. Mr Netanyahu had previously only expressed regret for the deaths.
The stance significantly damaged relations between the two US allies. The deal was brokered by US President Barack Obama during a visit to Israel.
The telephone conversation took place at the end of a visit to Israel and the West Bank by US President Barack Obama. Before departing for Jordan on Friday afternoon, Mr Obama revealed that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Erdogan had just spoken by telephone.
Before departing Tel Aviv airport for Jordan on Friday afternoon, Mr Obama revealed that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Erdogan had spoken. "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," the president said in a statement released by the White House.
"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," he said in a statement. 'Operational errors'
US officials told reporters that Mr Netanyahu had apologised for the flotilla incident and acknowledged "operational mistakes". Nine people were killed on board the Turkish aid ship, Mavi Marmara, when it was boarded by Israeli commandos while trying to transport aid supplies to Gaza in May 2010 in spite of an Israeli naval blockade.
Mr Erdogan had accepted the apology, they added. In the past, he has always given two conditions for restoring bilateral relations with Israel - an apology and compensation for the victims' families. The Israeli government admitted mistakes were made in intelligence-gathering and planning, but insisted its commandos used lethal force because activists had attacked them.
The activists said the troops had opened fire as soon as they boarded the vessel, which was in international waters at the time.
The incident provoked an international outcry and led to a major deterioration in relations between Turkey and Israel.
A statement issued by Mr Netanyahu's office on Friday afternoon said that in the conversation with Mr Erdogan he had expressed regret over the deterioration in bilateral ties and noted his "commitment to working out the disagreements in order to advance peace and regional stability".
"The prime minister made it clear that the tragic results regarding the Mavi Marmara were unintentional and that Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life," it added.
"In light of the Israeli investigation into the incident, which pointed out several operational errors, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologised to the Turkish people for any errors that could have led to loss of life and agreed to complete the agreement on compensation."
The two leaders had also agreed to continue to work on improving the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories, the statement said.
US officials told reporters that Mr Erdogan had accepted the apology. In the past, he has always given two conditions for restoring bilateral relations with Israel - an apology and compensation for victims' families.
The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem says Mr Netanyahu's change of heart is a clear indication of the diplomatic clout that the US still wields with its two key allies in a turbulent region.
The prime minister's call to his Turkish counterpart was apparently made from a trailer at Tel Aviv airport while Air Force One sat on the ground waiting to depart.
The unglamorous setting and the last-minute nature of the call suggests the deal may not have been easy to broker, our correspondent adds.