One of those dictates is that Israel must apologize to Turkey for interdicting the blockade-busting "humanitarian flotilla" in June, 2010. If you recall, when the Israelis boarded the Mavi Marmara, they were attacked by Turkish thugs and hired mercenaries. Though the Israeli commandos were armed mostly with non-lethal weapons, in the ensuing battle, nine members of the flotilla were killed.

Although the United Nations and the West eventually confirmed that the Israeli-Egyptian naval blockade of Gaza was legal and the Israelis acted within their rights, President Obama is siding with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in demanding that Israel apologize. Of course, it cannot. To do so would be tantamount to an admission of guilt. But that's what Erdogan wants so he can use it to further delegitimize Israel in the eyes of the world and enhance his own standing in the Arab/Muslim world.

And guess what. The American administration is publicly hinting that if Israel doesn't apologize, then, according to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the White House might suddenly "find itself unable to continue building opposition to a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood at the UN...."