Peres supports reconciliation with Turkey

Israeli President Shimon Peres welcomed on Sunday Tel Aviv's apology to Turkey for the Israeli attack on the Turkish Mavi Marmara in May 2010. Peres urged the Turkish people to contribute to breaking the ice with his country following three years of strain in relations due to the death of nine Turks by Israeli bullets while on board of Mavi Marmara, Israel radio reported. He expressed his joy that the crisis between Israel and Turkey have finally came into an end as both countries jointly overcame it, emphasizing at the same time historical ties and good relations with Turkey. In the same context, Peres spoke on other regional issues such as Syrian crisis, Iranian nuclear program, as well as their linkage to Turkey. He warned that Iran's nuclear program is a regional and global threat, urging need to work with Turkey in order to prevent delivery of chemical weapons to Syria to the wrong authority. In May 2010, Israeli commandoes killed nine Turkish activists aboard the Mavi Marmara, leading the Turkish-Israeli ties to crumble. Turkey has demanded a formal apology for the incident, as well as compensation for the families of the victims.