Israel has the right to defend itself Prime MinisterBinyamin Netanyahu said Sunday in response to Turkey's decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with Jerusalem. On Friday the United Nations commission report that reviewed the events of the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid which resulted in the deaths of 9 Turkish activists, found Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip was legal. Turkey denounced the report declaring it null and void and after demanding Israel apologize for the activists' deaths and compensate the families, downgraded diplomatic ties with Jerusalem. At Sunday's cabinet meeting. Netanyahu vowed Israel would not apologize but regrets the loss of lives. Netanyahu said he hoped to find a way to improve ties with Ankara. Israel reserves the basic right to defend its citizens and does not need to apologize for working to protect them, Netanyahu said.
