Turkey, Israel cut reconciliation deal over 2010 raid: Official
The Tel Aviv regime and Turkey have agreed to normalize relations, seriously damaged over a 2010 fatal raid by Israeli forces on a Turkish aid ship, an official says.
According to the Israeli official, whose name was not mentioned in the reports, the two sides reached "understandings" over the issue and drafted a deal during a secret meeting in Switzerland.
Under the deal, Israel should compensate the victims of the raid. Ankara and Tel Aviv would also exchange envoys and hold talks on the restart of gas exports to Turkey.
The agreement would see all Turkish lawsuits against the Israeli regime cancelled. Turkey would also prevent Salah Aruri, a senior Hamas member, from entering the country, the Israeli source added on Thursday.
The official said negotiating teams were made up of Yossi Cohen, the incoming Mossad chief, and Israeli PM's point-man for Turkish reconciliation Joseph Ciechanover, while Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu represented Ankara.
Israeli Channel 10 television said the agreement is expected to be signed "in coming days."
The Turkish government is yet to comment on the Israeli announcement. Back in June, Ankara acknowledged that the two sides were engaged in reconciliation talks.
On May 31, 2010, Israeli commandos attacked the Turkish-flagged MV Mavi Marmara in the Mediterranean Sea, killing nine Turkish citizens and injuring about 50 other people . A 10th died last year after four years in a coma.
Following the raid, Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and demanded a formal apology and compensation, as well as an end to the Israeli-imposed blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Israel extended a formal apology to Turkey and after that negotiations on compensation began in 2013.
The flotilla was attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, carrying aid to the Palestinians in the impoverished enclave.
The attack sparked international outcry and plunged relations between Tel Aviv and Ankara into an all-time low at the time.
Iran, Russia, Turkey condemn Israeli atrocities in West Asia
Turkish activists storm German-flagged ship that carried weapons for Israeli military
More than 50 countries press UN for arms embargo on Israel
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | Nurses protest against Israeli genocide at UN HQ
VIDEO | France-Israel football row
VIDEO | Archbishop of Canterbury quits over handling of abuse by pedo volunteer John Smyth
Hezbollah hits Tel Aviv with ballistic missiles; debuts tactical rocket in anti-Israeli struggle
VIDEO | Iraqi resistance fighters strike ‘vital targets’ across occupied territories
VIDEO | Hezbollah leader to fighters: You are the pride shaking foundations of Zionism
Iran not worried that Trump may toughen oil sanctions: Minister
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
