Syrian opposition rejected Israeli offer of humanitarian aid, claims Foreign Minister

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, claims that the Syrian opposition has rejected an offer of humanitarian aid from Tel Aviv. Quoted on Hebrew Radio, Lieberman said in response, “Everyone advised Israel to keep our distance from the Syrian opposition, and Israel does not want to impose itself on it.”

Lieberman’s statements were made during a meeting with Turkish journalists in his office in Jerusalem two days ago. They have also been reported by the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.

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The Foreign Minister told the Turkish reporters that his country will not apologise to Turkey for attacking the Freedom Flotilla more than two years ago. The assault in international waters left nine Turkish citizens dead; the flotilla of ships was trying to take humanitarian aid to break the siege on the Gaza Strip.

“Israel does not intend to apologise for this incident,” said Lieberman. “The purpose of the flotilla was a provocative operation and Israel has the right to defend its citizens and soldiers.”