Apologies, Apologies

Without wading too deeply into the always-controversial issue of the Armenian genocide, it seems Turkey has erected something of a double standard on official apologies.

Turkey is demanding an apology from Israel in the wake of the assault on a Turkish aid ship on May 31. Ankara also wants a commission of inquiry to look into the incident. These demands are perhaps reasonable, considering that all of those killed in the attack were Turkish citizens. If Israel fails to comply, Turkey is threatening to cut diplomatic relations with the Jewish state. This is quite a harsh punishment; the two nations share a long history of military cooperation, and Turkey has historically been Israel's only Muslim friend. A diplomatic break would be a serious step indeed.

But how might Ankara react to a similar call for an apology? A recent campaign to apologize for the Armenian genocide during WWI was incredibly controversial. I am not claiming here that Turkey is responsible for the countless deaths of Armenians a century ago, nor am I suggesting that the deaths were a campaign of genocide (there are lengthy debates on both sides of the issue - we can have that debate some other day). Rather, let's just look at the ferocity of the official Turkish response to the mere suggestion of an apology. The online petition campaign does not use the word "genocide," nor does it seek to compel the government to apologize officially. It just serves as a way for people to publicly express sorrow over a tragic loss of life. Yet already, it is being met with threats of official action: petition leaders have been criticized by the Turkish military and were investigated by a Turkish prosecutor for possible charges of "insulting Turkishness," a punishable offense.

So - Turkey demands Israel apologize for its actions on May 31. Fine. But how does Ankara react when the topic of apology surfaces surrounding its own historical actions? By prosecuting academics and professors who question the "official version" of history, in a blatant violation of free speech.

Ankara's demand for an Israeli apology doesn't carry a whole lot of weight considering Turkey's long history of obstruction and prosecution surrounding the issue of the Armenian genocide and a possible apology for it. Whether or not the Armenian deaths were indeed a "genocide" is, for the issue at hand, not the point. Rather, the issue is Turkey's refusal to even allow free, open, public discussion about an historical tragedy. Perhaps the deaths were genocide, or perhaps they were not an organized campaign of violence. Perhaps an official apology is due, perhaps not. But until Turkey stops its childish stonewalling on the issue and allows free inquiry, we won't know conclusively.

Perhaps Ankara should refrain from demanding open inquiries and official apologies until it is prepared to accept them at home...