MK (Balad/National Democratic Assembly) Hanin Zoabi feels that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s apology to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is insufficient. The MK, one of those manning the Marvi Marmara which led to the IDF commando raid and breakdown of diplomatic relations between the countries, feels Israel must pay heavily for the actions of the soldiers.

Zoabi labels the actions of the Government of Israel “a crime” and she insists the prime minister must pay the political price for the decision, demanding a government inquiry into the commando operation.

In her statement to the media the Arab MK stated “I would also like to send a message to the Israeli government and society that an apology is not enough. Israel should pay the price for its crimes and occupation. Approximately 5 million people live under siege.”

Regarding the opposition expressed by members of the elite IDF Navy commando unit Shayetet to the restoration of ties with Turkey on the basis of an Israeli apology, Zoabi feels the soldiers “live in a political atmosphere. They believe that human life other than that of Jews are not equal. They are a part of the political culture of violence and aggressiveness. They killed and an apology is not sufficient.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)