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Hamas leader expelled from Turkey although Israel reconciliation still in balance
Turkey has expelled senior Hamas official Saleh al-Aruri, as a step towards an agreement to normalise relations with Israel, but the deal reportedly remains some way from being finalised.
A meeting took place last week between Turkish under-foreign minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s envoy Joseph Ciechanover alongside National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen. They agreed an outline of measures to restore diplomatic relations after a five-year hiatus. These include Israel’s payment of £13.3 million in compensation to the families of Turkish citizens killed or injured whilst trying to prevent Israeli commandos taking over a Gaza-bound protest ship, the Mavi Marmara in 2010. Meanwhile, Turkey will pass legislation to drop current and future cases against IDF personnel involved in the raid, which precipitated the end of diplomatic ties.
Another condition is the expulsion from Turkey of al-Aruri, who has been based in Istanbul since 2012 and is thought to direct terror attacks against Israelis in the West Bank, including the high-profile kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in summer 2014. Al-Aruri spent fifteen years in an Israeli prison before being expelled to Syria.
Turkey’s media reports that al-Aruri agreed to a “voluntary” departure, following a meeting between Hamas’ political chief, Khaled Mashaal and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu last Saturday. However, Ynet says that Erdogan is refusing Israel’s demand to close Hamas’ office in Turkey and to end support for Hamas.
Turkish daily Hurriyet says Davutoglu told a political party meeting that “there is progress” in talks with Israel, but “there is still no deal,” especially as Israel is “not yet prepared to lift the blockade on Gaza entirely.” Haaretz reports that Netanyahu told a Likud faction meeting that disagreement remains over Hamas’ presence in Turkey and policy on Gaza restrictions.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post says that Jordan has told Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal that he is “unwelcome” after he requested to visit the country.