JERUSALEM (AA) – March 27, 2013 - Israeli people welcomed their prime minister's apology to Turkey regarding Mavi Marmara raid.
Israeli people were pleased with the apology as their expectations about recovery of tourism relations between Turkey and Israel have grown.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Turkish people on March 22 during a phone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Israeli raid on the "Mavi Marmara" aid ship which resulted in the killing of nine Turks in May, 2010.
Ranna Arap, an Israeli citizen, told AA reporter that it was not a problem to apologize to Turkey, adding that they were proud of apologizing. Arap noted that they wanted to have good relations with Turkey.
Another Israeli citizen Rachel Rosenoer said that they had taken a vacation in Turkey and they admired the country, expressing pleasure over Israel's apology.
Sera Rosenoer, sister of Rachel, said that she wanted peace, and welcomed Israel's apology.
Menahem Rosenoer told AA that they liked Turkey, adding that prices were low in Turkey, and they especially liked Antalya city, welcoming the normalization of relations.
On the other hand, Palestinians are cautious about Israel's apology.
Ahmet Takis, a Palestinian, told AA that he was suspicious about Israel's apology to Turkey, added, "we will see who will have advantage in this situation."
Macid Suleyman, another Palestinian, said, "this is not an apology exactly. This is a political maneuver, and now Turkey undertook a full role in Middle East peace process."
