Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan today to apologize for a 2010 Israeli commando raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla that killed several Turkish activists, Israeli and Turkish governments said.
The once-close nations decided to normalize their fractured diplomatic ties, agreeing to return ambassadors to their posts.
The development is important to the United States, an ally to both Israel and Turkey, a Muslim NATO member. Netanyahu made the call during an airport meeting with President Obama. Ref. CNN
Revealed: Netanyahu's secret talks with the Palestinians:
Netanyahu seemed ready to renew negotiations within the framework of two states based on the June 4, 1967, lines. But the prime minister subsequently backed away from the contacts and the channel was discontinued. Ref. Source 6
Israeli PM threatens to strike Iran:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Iran is moving "Closer and closer" To building a nuclear weapon and warned that his country may have to act against Tehran to curb it from achieving its goal before the United States does. Ref. Source 3
"Iran wants to be in position to rush forward and build nuclear bombs before the world can prevent it," Netanyahu said in a speech at the U.N., warning that recent gestures from Iran toward peace are a "Ruse" To lull the West into backing off. Ref. USAToday
Obama calls Netanyahu 'a pain in the a**'?:
US President Barack Obama called Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu "A pain in the ass" During a White House campaign meeting some six months before Obama came to Israel and reset his relationship with Netanyahu, according to a new book on the 2012 US presidential election. Ref. Source 9
Speaking to his Cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that Israel is not bound by the international community's nuclear deal with Iran and reserves the right to defend itself. Ref. USAToday