If things quiet down on the Syrian border and Erdogan feels an internal or external need to once again incite against Israel, apologies – if indeed made – will be one more instrument in his arsenal of hatemongering.
Because if Israel apologizes Erdogan could then say “See, I was right to attack them continuously over the flotilla deaths.”
Israel would then find that nothing of permanence had been gained other than its unwarranted apologies – apologies to be documented until the end of time.
Manfred Gerstenfeld is chairman of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.He has published a number of research essays on the major aspects of apologies by countries and organizations for their participation in the Holocaust.