Israel says it won't apologise for flotilla raid

Israel says it won't apologise for a raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla that killed eight Turks and a Turkish-American in May.

Israel says it won't apologise for a raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla that killed eight Turks and a Turkish-American in May.

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Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday that the Turkish government should apologise instead for "supporting terror." He cited the charity that sponsored the flotilla and the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

Israeli commandos raided the flotilla as it sought to break Israel's Gaza blockade, killing nine pro-pro-Palestinian activists. Israel says the commandos were defending themselves.

The incident further aggravated relations between the former allies, already tense over Turkish criticism of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Turkey says Israel must apologise and compensate victims before relations can return to normal.