Israel to pay $20 mln compensation to normalize ties with Turkey

Israel to pay $20 mln compensation to normalize ties with Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish lawmakers on Wednesday, August 17 submitted to parliament a settlement deal with Israel that would see the latter pay Ankara $20 million within 25 days in return for Turkey dropping outstanding legal claims, ending a six-year rift, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Relations between the two countries crumbled after Israeli marines stormed a Turkish ship in May 2010 to enforce a naval blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, killing 10 Turks on board.

Israel had already offered its apologies for the raid. Both countries are to appoint ambassadors, and Turkey is to pass legislation indemnifying Israeli soldiers as part of an agreement partly driven by the prospect of lucrative Mediterranean gas deals.

“Israel has met our terms, paving the way to normalize ties,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. “Therefore, we must do this as soon as possible.”

Cavusoglu, meanwhile, met with visiting Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki on August 11, in what seemed an effort to reassure the Palestinians that the renewal of ties with Israel will not impact on Ankara’s support.

Malki was also scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the two sides “will discuss the recent developments in the context of the Palestinian cause, and the steps which may be taken in the upcoming period about the development of strong support provided by Turkey for Palestine in every area.”

The German Press Agency reported that Yildirim also spoke by phone with Hamas head Khaled Mashaal.

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