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Reports: Israel, Turkey edging closer towards normalisation agreement
Israel Radio has reported that Israel and Turkey are moving towards finalising an agreement to normalise ties once again, having relinquished official diplomatic relations six years ago.
In 2010, the previously warm relationship between Israel and Turkey deteriorated and diplomatic relations were ceded after the deaths of ten Turkish citizens who were killed whilst trying to prevent Israeli commandos taking over a Gaza-bound protest ship, the Mavi Marmara.
In 2013, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paved the way for reconciliation by issuing an apology. It is thought that arrangements were made in 2014 over a compensation deal for the families of those killed aboard the Mavi Marmara. Subsequent talks resumed last year and have been ongoing, including a meeting between representatives in London in April.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a visiting delegation of American Congressmen earlier this week that an agreement with Turkey is “very close”. Haaretz speculated that a decisive meeting between Israeli and Turkish officials could take place next week at a European location. The report suggested that the remaining sticking point was an agreement over Israel’s demand that Turkey entirely close Hamas’ office in Istanbul.
However, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus indicated that the outstanding issue was Turkey’s demand that Israel lift restrictions on goods entering the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Kurtulmus indicated that the two sides had nonetheless agreed that Turkey would play a role in creating infrastructure projects, which would help provide goods to Gaza.
Speaking to the Palestinian media on Tuesday, Mustafa Sarnic, the Turkish ambassador to the Palestinian Authority (PA) also expressed optimism at the prospect of an agreement in the near future. He estimated that a final agreement will be reached within the coming two months.
In another sign of warming Israel-Turkey ties, Dore Gold, the Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry led a delegation last week at the United Nations’ Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.