Did Israel Miss the Boat with Turkey?

The first Turkish aid ship since the flotilla arrives in Ashdod but without its most precious cargo.

Herzl Shaul and Dr. Simcha Goldin entered the room where Prime Minister Netanyahu and UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon were seated even if the outcome of their brief meeting was a foregone conclusion.

“We already knew what Netanyahu would tell us” Shaul said. “That reconciliation with Turkey was vital for Israel’s security and the price was too high to include the return of the bodies of our precious sons in this agreement. The UN secretary-general was more encouraging. He promised to work for their return although despite his good intentions we don’t expect any quick breakthroughs.”

It’s been almost two years since Sergeant Oron Shaul and Lieutenant Hadar Goldin were killed in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge. Shaul was one of six soldiers killed when Hamas fired an anti-tank missile at their armored personnel carrier. Goldin a member of the Givati Brigade was searching for tunnels when Hamas terrorists ambushed and killed him. In each case Hamas grabbed their bodies to hold as bargaining tools.