Israel and Turkey are two of the United States' closest allies in the Middle East; It is therefore in our interest that these two nations continue their activities cordially. However, after the Israeli attack on a Turkish aid flotilla, the Mavi Marmara, en route to Gaza, these relations were strained, to say the least. A surprise apology from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan took place in 2013, but was it enough to heal the wounds created by the Israeli assault? On the surface, some would say that everything is back to normal, but my analysis leads me to believe the opposite. The events of 2010, and the succession of events that followed, changed relations between Turkey and Israel for decades to come. In 2010, a humanitarian aid flotilla left Turkey for Gaza. One ship in particular, the Mavi Marmara, was carrying several dozen passengers and various relief items such as concrete and construction tools, as well as food, clothing and medicine (Mavi Marmara: The Inside Story). At the time of departure, Gaza was under Israeli naval blockade and no one was allowed to enter the blockade. The Israeli Defense Forces have offered to inspect all the aid and deliver it to Gaza themselves. However, aid workers on the Mavi Marmara had no intention of letting Israel deliver the aid. They considered the blockade of Gaza a violation of international law and had no intention of respecting it, despite Israeli threats of force (Mavi Marmara: The Inside Story). When the ship got closer to the Israeli hold, things took a turn for the worse. The Israeli Defense Forces warned the Marmara that they would be subjugated to Israel...... middle of paper ...... close Relations with Iran are nothing but an affront to their former ally. It is clear to me that these two countries have not forgiven and certainly have not forgotten. It will take more than three years for Turkey's wounds to heal and for the two men to restore the trust they once had. Works Cited Arbell, Dan. “Turbulence in Israel and Turkey raises doubts about reconciliation process.” The Brookings Institution. Np, November 1, 2013. Web. April 8, 2014.Kershner, Isabel. “Report that Turkey exposed spies strains relations with Israel.” The New York Times. The New York Times, October 17, 2013. Web. April 8, 2014.Mavi Marmara: The Inside Story. TV Press, 2011. YouTube. Internet. April 8, 2014. Rudoren, Jodi and Mark Landler. “With Obama as intermediary, the Israelis and Turkey will end the dispute.” The New York Times. The New York Times, March 22, 2013. Web. April 8. 2014.