30 apr 2014

Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Teyyip Erdogan, stated that a comprehensive reconciliation deal with Israel is likely to be reached within a few days or weeks, at most, and thanked U.S President, Barack Obama, for his effort to reach this goal.
Erdogan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “apologized” for the attack on the MV Marmara solidarity ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla that was heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies.
The attack took place on May 30, 2010 in international waters close to Gaza territorial waters, and left nine Turkish activists dead; dozens of activists of different nationalities were injured and kidnapped.
Erdogan said the final stage of reconciliation will witness the signing of the agreement, and that he hopes nothing which could ruin this reconciliation will occur. The first step after that, he said, would be sending ambassadors back to their embassies in Ankara and Tel Aviv.
Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a senior Israeli official close to reconciliation file, stating that “the problem is not in Netanyahu, but in the Turks themselves,” and added that “Israel has no objection to reaching an agreement with Turkey.”
The official said that most of the details of this agreement were reached several months ago, and that the Turkish government agreed to compensation, around 20 Million USD to the families of the victims and, in return. Turkey would void all suits filed against Israeli soldiers and officials who participated in the attack.
Erdogan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “apologized” for the attack on the MV Marmara solidarity ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla that was heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies.
The attack took place on May 30, 2010 in international waters close to Gaza territorial waters, and left nine Turkish activists dead; dozens of activists of different nationalities were injured and kidnapped.
Erdogan said the final stage of reconciliation will witness the signing of the agreement, and that he hopes nothing which could ruin this reconciliation will occur. The first step after that, he said, would be sending ambassadors back to their embassies in Ankara and Tel Aviv.
Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a senior Israeli official close to reconciliation file, stating that “the problem is not in Netanyahu, but in the Turks themselves,” and added that “Israel has no objection to reaching an agreement with Turkey.”
The official said that most of the details of this agreement were reached several months ago, and that the Turkish government agreed to compensation, around 20 Million USD to the families of the victims and, in return. Turkey would void all suits filed against Israeli soldiers and officials who participated in the attack.
27 mar 2014

Turkey hopes to soon close a difficult chapter with Israel sparked by a deadly commando raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla of aid ships in 2010, Turkish foreign minister told AFP.
Nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed in the Israeli assault, sparking a major crisis between the long-time regional allies and compensation claims from the victims' families.
In the diplomatic tussle since, "the gap between the expectations of the two sides is closing," Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told AFP in an interview on Wednesday.
"Progress has been made to a great extent, but the two sides need to meet again for a final agreement," he said.
Sticking points have been the amount of compensation and the legal status of the deal, but Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said earlier this week that an agreement would soon be signed.
He said that after Turkish local elections Sunday -- seen as a major electoral test for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- "our first job will be making sure the compensation is bound by a legal document."
Davutoglu also said that "an answer is expected from the Israeli side" to Turkey's demands. "It is our preference, whether it will be before or after the elections ... We do whatever is right at the right time."
Turkish senior diplomat Feridun Sinirlioglu was in Israel in February to discuss the terms of an agreement, aimed to normalize relations between Israel and its once closest Muslim ally.
The May 2010 Israeli assault on the Turkish ship the Mavi Marmara in international waters en route to Gaza sparked widespread condemnation and provoked a major diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador, demanded a formal apology and compensation, and an end to the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Talks on compensation began a year ago after Israel extended a formal apology to Turkey in a breakthrough brokered by US President Barack Obama.
In February, Erdogan said there would be no agreement without a written commitment by Israel to lift its restrictions on the Gaza Strip, a comment that led Israel to accuse him of blocking a compensation deal.
Turkey's foreign minister declined to comment on whether new ambassadors would likely be appointed as soon as an agreement is signed.
"What's important is to reach an agreement," Davutoglu said, speaking in his central home province of Konya. "The steps to be taken will be discussed when the agreement is made.
"I can say there's a positive momentum and a process in a positive direction."
Israel dismisses Turkish reports on Gaza flotilla compensation deal
Turkish papers say Israel to pay Turkey $21 million for deaths in 2010 raid on Gaza-bound ships and end Gaza blockade, after which Erdogan will visit Jerusalem.
Israel knows nothing about a reported final compensation agreement for a deadly IDF raid on a Turkish Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010, and did not coordinate any announcement on the matter, a source in Jerusalem told Ynet on Thursday.
The statement came after varying reports of a deal emerged in the Turkish media, including one report that Israel would end the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed when the commando raid aboard the Mavi Marmara turned violent, sparking a major crisis between the long-time regional allies and compensation demands from the victims' families.
According to the Daily Sabah Israel will pay Turkey $21 million in compensation and end the blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, as part of an agreement to end the diplomatic frost caused by the raid. The paper quoted Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc as saying that the deal was reached last month. After Turkey's local elections on March 30, he reportedly said, the two countries would focus on striking a "binding legal resolution" on the reparations. After this date, Arınc reportedly told the paper, the official document be presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly for approval.
In addition, The Turkish newspaper Zaman reported Thursday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is planning to visit Israel at the end of April. According to the report, David Meidan, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's coordinator in Turkey has met with the Director of Turkish Intelligence Agency Hakan Fidan, and the two discussed the upcoming visit, reopening the embassies and potential business copperation regarding natural gas and oil in the Mediterranean Sea.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told AFP on Wednesday that his country hopes to soon end this difficult chapter with Israel.
In the diplomatic tussle since, "the gap between the expectations of the two sides is closing," Davutoglu said. "Progress has been made to a great extent, but the two sides need to meet again for a final agreement."
Sticking points have been the amount of compensation and the legal status of the deal, but Arinc said earlier this week that an agreement would soon be signed.
He said that after local elections Sunday, "our first job will be making sure the compensation is bound by a legal document".
Davutoglu also said that "an answer is expected from the Israeli side" to Turkey's demands. "It is our preference, whether it will be before or after the elections... We do whatever is right at the right time."
Turkish senior diplomat Feridun Sinirlioglu was in Israel in February to discuss the terms of an agreement, aimed to normalise relations between the Jewish state and its once closest Muslim ally.
The May 2010 Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara provoked a major diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador, demanded a formal apology and compensation, and an end to the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Talks on compensation began a year ago after Israel extended a formal apology to Turkey in a breakthrough brokered by US President Barack Obama.
In February, Erdogan said there would be no agreement without a written commitment by Israel to lift its restrictions on the Gaza Strip, a comment that led Israel to accuse him of blocking a compensation deal.
In March 2013, Netanyahu talked with his Turkish counterpart and apologized for the outcome of the raid on the flotilla. Netanyahu's office issued an announcement saying that both prime ministers agreed to renew the relationship between the countries, and Turkey was halting the legal actions against IDF soldiers and commanders. On the compensation issue they agreed that Israel would transfer money to a humanitarian fund.
Turkey's foreign minister declined to comment on whether new ambassadors would likely be appointed as soon as an agreement is signed.
"What's important is to reach an agreement," Davutoglu said, speaking in his central home province of Konya. "The steps to be taken will be discussed when the agreement is made.
"I can say there's a positive momentum and a process in a positive direction."
Nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed in the Israeli assault, sparking a major crisis between the long-time regional allies and compensation claims from the victims' families.
In the diplomatic tussle since, "the gap between the expectations of the two sides is closing," Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told AFP in an interview on Wednesday.
"Progress has been made to a great extent, but the two sides need to meet again for a final agreement," he said.
Sticking points have been the amount of compensation and the legal status of the deal, but Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said earlier this week that an agreement would soon be signed.
He said that after Turkish local elections Sunday -- seen as a major electoral test for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- "our first job will be making sure the compensation is bound by a legal document."
Davutoglu also said that "an answer is expected from the Israeli side" to Turkey's demands. "It is our preference, whether it will be before or after the elections ... We do whatever is right at the right time."
Turkish senior diplomat Feridun Sinirlioglu was in Israel in February to discuss the terms of an agreement, aimed to normalize relations between Israel and its once closest Muslim ally.
The May 2010 Israeli assault on the Turkish ship the Mavi Marmara in international waters en route to Gaza sparked widespread condemnation and provoked a major diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador, demanded a formal apology and compensation, and an end to the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Talks on compensation began a year ago after Israel extended a formal apology to Turkey in a breakthrough brokered by US President Barack Obama.
In February, Erdogan said there would be no agreement without a written commitment by Israel to lift its restrictions on the Gaza Strip, a comment that led Israel to accuse him of blocking a compensation deal.
Turkey's foreign minister declined to comment on whether new ambassadors would likely be appointed as soon as an agreement is signed.
"What's important is to reach an agreement," Davutoglu said, speaking in his central home province of Konya. "The steps to be taken will be discussed when the agreement is made.
"I can say there's a positive momentum and a process in a positive direction."
Israel dismisses Turkish reports on Gaza flotilla compensation deal
Turkish papers say Israel to pay Turkey $21 million for deaths in 2010 raid on Gaza-bound ships and end Gaza blockade, after which Erdogan will visit Jerusalem.
Israel knows nothing about a reported final compensation agreement for a deadly IDF raid on a Turkish Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010, and did not coordinate any announcement on the matter, a source in Jerusalem told Ynet on Thursday.
The statement came after varying reports of a deal emerged in the Turkish media, including one report that Israel would end the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed when the commando raid aboard the Mavi Marmara turned violent, sparking a major crisis between the long-time regional allies and compensation demands from the victims' families.
According to the Daily Sabah Israel will pay Turkey $21 million in compensation and end the blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, as part of an agreement to end the diplomatic frost caused by the raid. The paper quoted Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc as saying that the deal was reached last month. After Turkey's local elections on March 30, he reportedly said, the two countries would focus on striking a "binding legal resolution" on the reparations. After this date, Arınc reportedly told the paper, the official document be presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly for approval.
In addition, The Turkish newspaper Zaman reported Thursday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is planning to visit Israel at the end of April. According to the report, David Meidan, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's coordinator in Turkey has met with the Director of Turkish Intelligence Agency Hakan Fidan, and the two discussed the upcoming visit, reopening the embassies and potential business copperation regarding natural gas and oil in the Mediterranean Sea.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told AFP on Wednesday that his country hopes to soon end this difficult chapter with Israel.
In the diplomatic tussle since, "the gap between the expectations of the two sides is closing," Davutoglu said. "Progress has been made to a great extent, but the two sides need to meet again for a final agreement."
Sticking points have been the amount of compensation and the legal status of the deal, but Arinc said earlier this week that an agreement would soon be signed.
He said that after local elections Sunday, "our first job will be making sure the compensation is bound by a legal document".
Davutoglu also said that "an answer is expected from the Israeli side" to Turkey's demands. "It is our preference, whether it will be before or after the elections... We do whatever is right at the right time."
Turkish senior diplomat Feridun Sinirlioglu was in Israel in February to discuss the terms of an agreement, aimed to normalise relations between the Jewish state and its once closest Muslim ally.
The May 2010 Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara provoked a major diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador, demanded a formal apology and compensation, and an end to the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Talks on compensation began a year ago after Israel extended a formal apology to Turkey in a breakthrough brokered by US President Barack Obama.
In February, Erdogan said there would be no agreement without a written commitment by Israel to lift its restrictions on the Gaza Strip, a comment that led Israel to accuse him of blocking a compensation deal.
In March 2013, Netanyahu talked with his Turkish counterpart and apologized for the outcome of the raid on the flotilla. Netanyahu's office issued an announcement saying that both prime ministers agreed to renew the relationship between the countries, and Turkey was halting the legal actions against IDF soldiers and commanders. On the compensation issue they agreed that Israel would transfer money to a humanitarian fund.
Turkey's foreign minister declined to comment on whether new ambassadors would likely be appointed as soon as an agreement is signed.
"What's important is to reach an agreement," Davutoglu said, speaking in his central home province of Konya. "The steps to be taken will be discussed when the agreement is made.
"I can say there's a positive momentum and a process in a positive direction."
27 feb 2014

Almost one year after Obama asked Netanyahu to apologize for the death of nine Turkish nationals during the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, talks with Turkey hit a dead end.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President Barack Obama last week that the delay in signing an Israeli-Turkish reconciliation agreement is entirely the fault of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A senior Israeli official involved in the talks with Turkey denied that Israel is to blame for the delay. The Turks are at least equally to blame, if not more so, he said, adding that there are still disputes between the sides that are preventing the deal from being finalized.
Erdogan conveyed his message in a telephone call with Obama last Wednesday, Haaretz has learned. The conversation dealt with a long list of issues connected to the situation in the Middle East, including the ongoing efforts to end the crisis in Turkish-Israeli relations that erupted following Israel’s botched raid on a Turkish-sponsored flotilla to the Gaza Strip in May 2010.
After that conversation, the White House issued a brief statement saying that Obama had urged Erdogan to finalize the agreement and normalize relations with Israel. But Israeli sources who were briefed on the details of the phone call said the two leaders actually held a lengthier discussion of the issue than the statement indicated.
According to the Israeli sources, Obama told Erdogan that almost a year had passed since Netanyahu called the Turkish leader and apologized for the deaths of nine Turkish nationals during the raid. That phone call, which took place during Obama’s visit to Israel, was personally orchestrated by the U.S. president, and it was supposed to launch negotiations between the two sides on a reconciliation agreement. Obama had expected those talks to be concluded within a few months, he told Erdogan, but a year later, nothing had happened.
Erdogan then told Obama that over the past few weeks, the negotiators had finished preparing a draft agreement that was supposed to restore normal relations. But Netanyahu hasn’t yet responded to the proposed agreement, Erdogan said, and is thereby delaying an end to the crisis. “The ball is now in Netanyahu’s court,” the Israeli sources quoted Erdogan as telling the U.S. president.
Obama then told Erdogan that he is supposed to host Netanyahu at the White House next Monday and that at this meeting he will demand the reconciliation deal be finalized promptly.
Israeli and Turkish negotiators finalized the draft agreement four weeks ago. The draft was then brought to Netanyahu for approval along with the negotiators’ recommendation that he sign, but he delayed making a decision. As the days passed, some on the Israeli side began to fear that Netanyahu had changed his mind about reconciliation with the Turks.
They also worried that if he didn’t approve the deal swiftly, somebody in either Turkey or Israel would do something to reshuffle the deck and push reconciliation further away, as had occurred more than once in the past. And indeed, that’s exactly what happened. A few days later, Erdogan once again declared publicly that he wouldn’t normalize relations until Israel ended its blockade of Gaza.
One theory in Jerusalem is that Erdogan’s statement stemmed from anger at Netanyahu’s delay in approving the agreement.
Over the past few weeks, the negotiations have entered the deep freeze, and Israel’s assessment is that no further progress will be made until after Turkey’s local elections on March 30.
ٍSource: HAARETZ
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President Barack Obama last week that the delay in signing an Israeli-Turkish reconciliation agreement is entirely the fault of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A senior Israeli official involved in the talks with Turkey denied that Israel is to blame for the delay. The Turks are at least equally to blame, if not more so, he said, adding that there are still disputes between the sides that are preventing the deal from being finalized.
Erdogan conveyed his message in a telephone call with Obama last Wednesday, Haaretz has learned. The conversation dealt with a long list of issues connected to the situation in the Middle East, including the ongoing efforts to end the crisis in Turkish-Israeli relations that erupted following Israel’s botched raid on a Turkish-sponsored flotilla to the Gaza Strip in May 2010.
After that conversation, the White House issued a brief statement saying that Obama had urged Erdogan to finalize the agreement and normalize relations with Israel. But Israeli sources who were briefed on the details of the phone call said the two leaders actually held a lengthier discussion of the issue than the statement indicated.
According to the Israeli sources, Obama told Erdogan that almost a year had passed since Netanyahu called the Turkish leader and apologized for the deaths of nine Turkish nationals during the raid. That phone call, which took place during Obama’s visit to Israel, was personally orchestrated by the U.S. president, and it was supposed to launch negotiations between the two sides on a reconciliation agreement. Obama had expected those talks to be concluded within a few months, he told Erdogan, but a year later, nothing had happened.
Erdogan then told Obama that over the past few weeks, the negotiators had finished preparing a draft agreement that was supposed to restore normal relations. But Netanyahu hasn’t yet responded to the proposed agreement, Erdogan said, and is thereby delaying an end to the crisis. “The ball is now in Netanyahu’s court,” the Israeli sources quoted Erdogan as telling the U.S. president.
Obama then told Erdogan that he is supposed to host Netanyahu at the White House next Monday and that at this meeting he will demand the reconciliation deal be finalized promptly.
Israeli and Turkish negotiators finalized the draft agreement four weeks ago. The draft was then brought to Netanyahu for approval along with the negotiators’ recommendation that he sign, but he delayed making a decision. As the days passed, some on the Israeli side began to fear that Netanyahu had changed his mind about reconciliation with the Turks.
They also worried that if he didn’t approve the deal swiftly, somebody in either Turkey or Israel would do something to reshuffle the deck and push reconciliation further away, as had occurred more than once in the past. And indeed, that’s exactly what happened. A few days later, Erdogan once again declared publicly that he wouldn’t normalize relations until Israel ended its blockade of Gaza.
One theory in Jerusalem is that Erdogan’s statement stemmed from anger at Netanyahu’s delay in approving the agreement.
Over the past few weeks, the negotiations have entered the deep freeze, and Israel’s assessment is that no further progress will be made until after Turkey’s local elections on March 30.
ٍSource: HAARETZ
20 feb 2014

U.S President Barack Obama phoned on Wednesday evening Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging him to complete the reconciliation negotiations with Israel, Haaretz Daily Newspaper reported. According to a statement released by the White House, the conversation touched the Syrian issue in addition to other topics. “ Obama told Erdogan about the importance of ending negotiations with Israel to quickly re-normalize relations with both countries.”
This conversation came almost three weeks after Turkey and Israel agreed on a draft agreement for mending ties between them, newspaper said.
Netanyahu refused to approve the agreement and Erdogan recently demanded that Israel has to lift its siege on the Gaza Strip as a condition for normalization.
Haaretz revealed that as part of the draft agreement, Israel would pay compensation of some $20-23 million to the families of the Turkish citizens killed and injured by Israeli occupation forces during the Gaza Flotilla incident. The agreement also includes Turkish agreement to pass a law that would lead to cancellation of lawsuits filed against soldiers who had participated in the raid, and an outline of the diplomatic normalization.
This conversation came almost three weeks after Turkey and Israel agreed on a draft agreement for mending ties between them, newspaper said.
Netanyahu refused to approve the agreement and Erdogan recently demanded that Israel has to lift its siege on the Gaza Strip as a condition for normalization.
Haaretz revealed that as part of the draft agreement, Israel would pay compensation of some $20-23 million to the families of the Turkish citizens killed and injured by Israeli occupation forces during the Gaza Flotilla incident. The agreement also includes Turkish agreement to pass a law that would lead to cancellation of lawsuits filed against soldiers who had participated in the raid, and an outline of the diplomatic normalization.
13 feb 2014

The Israeli Government of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that Tel Aviv does not agree to the Turkish demand to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip in exchange for a reconciliation agreement between Tel Aviv and Ankara.
The Turkish demand came on Tuesday when Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated during a press conference in Ankara that his country received an apology from Israel, and talks for compensating the families of nine Turkish peace activists, killed by the Israeli Navy while sailing to Gaza in 2010, are still ongoing.
The Turkish solidarity ship, Mavi Marmara, part of the Freedom Flotilla that was sailing to Gaza to challenge the illegitimate Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian supplies, was attacked in international water, and nine Turkish activists were killed by Israeli fire.
Erdogan said that lifting the deadly blockade on Gaza is one of the conditions that his country will not drop, and that without lifting this siege, there cannot be normalization with Israel.
Israeli daily, Haaretz, has reported that the Office of Netanyahu said “the Turkish conditions will not be met”, explaining that Tel Aviv will not lift the siege on the coastal region, and will never, sign a written agreement pledging to lift the siege.
The statements came after Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, stated last Monday that Tel Aviv and Ankara are very close to signing an agreement normalizing the relations between the two countries.
In a study published by Haaretz a week ago, Israel made an offer to pay the families of the nine Turkish victims, and those hurt in the attack, $20 Million, and that Netanyahu even authorized his envoys to pay up to $23 Million.
Tel Aviv is seeking to have Turkey drop lawsuits filed against its officers involved in the attack, and to normalize relations between the two countries.
It also wants Turkey to pass a law that would cancel all pending lawsuits files against it, and to ensure the law blocs any future legal actions, locally and internationally.
Haaretz said Tel Aviv does not only want a symbolic normalization of relations, but also full relations, including diplomatic talks, mutual visits of officials and ministerial talks.
PM Erdogan, Condition for Negotiations: Lift the Gaza Blockade
Chris Carlson - IMEMC & Agencies, Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:30:31
Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, demanded that Israel lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip in order to secure his signature on an agreement between the two countries.
According to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), Erdogan said, in a press conference held in Ankara with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rakhoi, Wednesday night, that significant progress had been made in the talks with Israel.
Israel Channel 2 quoted an Israeli official as saying that Israel will not agree to ease the Gaza blockade as a part of the deal it is negotiating with Turkey.
Relations between Ankara and Jerusalem became strained after a raid on the Turkish-owned vessel, the Mavi Marmara, in May of 2010, to enforce a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Nine Turkish citizens were killed in the raid.
The Turkish demand came on Tuesday when Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated during a press conference in Ankara that his country received an apology from Israel, and talks for compensating the families of nine Turkish peace activists, killed by the Israeli Navy while sailing to Gaza in 2010, are still ongoing.
The Turkish solidarity ship, Mavi Marmara, part of the Freedom Flotilla that was sailing to Gaza to challenge the illegitimate Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian supplies, was attacked in international water, and nine Turkish activists were killed by Israeli fire.
Erdogan said that lifting the deadly blockade on Gaza is one of the conditions that his country will not drop, and that without lifting this siege, there cannot be normalization with Israel.
Israeli daily, Haaretz, has reported that the Office of Netanyahu said “the Turkish conditions will not be met”, explaining that Tel Aviv will not lift the siege on the coastal region, and will never, sign a written agreement pledging to lift the siege.
The statements came after Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, stated last Monday that Tel Aviv and Ankara are very close to signing an agreement normalizing the relations between the two countries.
In a study published by Haaretz a week ago, Israel made an offer to pay the families of the nine Turkish victims, and those hurt in the attack, $20 Million, and that Netanyahu even authorized his envoys to pay up to $23 Million.
Tel Aviv is seeking to have Turkey drop lawsuits filed against its officers involved in the attack, and to normalize relations between the two countries.
It also wants Turkey to pass a law that would cancel all pending lawsuits files against it, and to ensure the law blocs any future legal actions, locally and internationally.
Haaretz said Tel Aviv does not only want a symbolic normalization of relations, but also full relations, including diplomatic talks, mutual visits of officials and ministerial talks.
PM Erdogan, Condition for Negotiations: Lift the Gaza Blockade
Chris Carlson - IMEMC & Agencies, Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:30:31
Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, demanded that Israel lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip in order to secure his signature on an agreement between the two countries.
According to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), Erdogan said, in a press conference held in Ankara with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rakhoi, Wednesday night, that significant progress had been made in the talks with Israel.
Israel Channel 2 quoted an Israeli official as saying that Israel will not agree to ease the Gaza blockade as a part of the deal it is negotiating with Turkey.
Relations between Ankara and Jerusalem became strained after a raid on the Turkish-owned vessel, the Mavi Marmara, in May of 2010, to enforce a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Nine Turkish citizens were killed in the raid.
12 feb 2014

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses the media in Ankara
Turkish Prime Minister, Receb Taayib Erdogan, said Tuesday that Israel should lift the siege over the Gaza Strip as a condition for signing a reconciliation agreement and normalizing relations between the two countries. Erdogan said at a press conference in Ankara alongside Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, that Turkey will not accept less than a written approval from Israel to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported yesterday.
The Turkish Prime Minister pointed out that there is a progress in the ongoing negotiations with Israel but it is not over yet. He added that Turkey has received an apology from Israel, and that talks over compensation for the families of those killed and wounded on the Mavi Marmara ship in 2010 are ongoing. "Nothing will happen without lifting the siege on Gaza," he said.
Hebrew media reported recently that the negotiations on compensation for the families of those killed on the Mavi Marmara has progressed significantly and that Israel has offered to pay $20 million in compensation to the families.
Turkish Prime Minister, Receb Taayib Erdogan, said Tuesday that Israel should lift the siege over the Gaza Strip as a condition for signing a reconciliation agreement and normalizing relations between the two countries. Erdogan said at a press conference in Ankara alongside Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, that Turkey will not accept less than a written approval from Israel to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported yesterday.
The Turkish Prime Minister pointed out that there is a progress in the ongoing negotiations with Israel but it is not over yet. He added that Turkey has received an apology from Israel, and that talks over compensation for the families of those killed and wounded on the Mavi Marmara ship in 2010 are ongoing. "Nothing will happen without lifting the siege on Gaza," he said.
Hebrew media reported recently that the negotiations on compensation for the families of those killed on the Mavi Marmara has progressed significantly and that Israel has offered to pay $20 million in compensation to the families.
10 feb 2014

“Turkey and Israel are the closest they have been to a normalization of bilateral relations since the Mavi Marmara incident,” Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said Sunday. Hurriyet Daily News reported on Sunday the FM as saying in a televised interview that “There has recently been a momentum and new approach in compensation talks. We could say that most of the differences have been removed recently in these discussions,”
The FM stressed that there are “positive developments” in compensation talks and that “serious progress has been achieved,” without giving an exact time for a finalization of the process.
Davutoğlu didn’t mention the amount of compensation for the Mavi Marmara victims, confirming that “the difference in amount between what Turkey demanded and Israel offered had narrowed compared to May 2013,”
“These issues will be discussed with the families [of the Mavi Marmara victims] after the outcome [of the compensation talks] is clarified,” he said.
Citing another pre-condition of Ankara for the normalization of ties, Davutoğlu cited an easing of the embargo on Gaza and claimed that compensation talks and subsequent steps would be important to this end, the Turkish outlet said.
Davutoğlu did not give a time frame for the reciprocal appointing of ambassadors, but said Turkey’s representation in Israel would be “significant” in order to “monitor and to coordinate humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Mavi Marmara is a Turkish vessel that crossed the Mediterranean in October 2009 with the aim of breaking the blockade imposed on Gaza after Hamas assumed power over the enclave in 2007.
Nine Turkish passengers aboard the international Mavi Marmara were killed in a clash with Israeli occupation forces that raided the vessel as it was on its way to Gaza.
The FM stressed that there are “positive developments” in compensation talks and that “serious progress has been achieved,” without giving an exact time for a finalization of the process.
Davutoğlu didn’t mention the amount of compensation for the Mavi Marmara victims, confirming that “the difference in amount between what Turkey demanded and Israel offered had narrowed compared to May 2013,”
“These issues will be discussed with the families [of the Mavi Marmara victims] after the outcome [of the compensation talks] is clarified,” he said.
Citing another pre-condition of Ankara for the normalization of ties, Davutoğlu cited an easing of the embargo on Gaza and claimed that compensation talks and subsequent steps would be important to this end, the Turkish outlet said.
Davutoğlu did not give a time frame for the reciprocal appointing of ambassadors, but said Turkey’s representation in Israel would be “significant” in order to “monitor and to coordinate humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Mavi Marmara is a Turkish vessel that crossed the Mediterranean in October 2009 with the aim of breaking the blockade imposed on Gaza after Hamas assumed power over the enclave in 2007.
Nine Turkish passengers aboard the international Mavi Marmara were killed in a clash with Israeli occupation forces that raided the vessel as it was on its way to Gaza.
3 feb 2014

Israel has offered Turkey $20 million in compensation for the families of the nine Turkish nationals killed and to those wounded during the 2010 Israeli occupation forces raid on the Mavi Marmara, Western diplomats said. The diplomats, who were briefed on the negotiations but asked to speak anonymously, said that progress was being made but there was still no agreement.
The reconciliation talks between Turkey and Israel, which had petered out for many months, were revived in early December when the Turks invited the Israeli negotiating team – national security adviser Yossi Cohen; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special envoy, Joseph Ciechanover; and Foreign Ministry director general Nissim Ben Sheetrit – to return to Istanbul.
During that round of talks, the Turks softened their position and lowered their compensation demands. Western diplomats said that the Turks had demanded $30 million, which was still double the $15 million Israel was prepared to pay.
In the weeks after the negotiators returned home, Netanyahu held several consultations with them, after which he decided to up Israel’s offer to $20 million. Western diplomats said Netanyahu even gave the team permission to go up to $3 million higher if necessary to secure an agreement. It’s not clear whether Turkey will be willing to show flexibility again in its stance and lower its compensation demands to match that being offered by Israel.
The money will not be paid directly to the wounded or the families of the dead. It will be deposited in a humanitarian fund and distributed to the victims in accordance with defined criteria.
Israeli commandos raided on a Gaza-bound aid ship called Mavi Marmara three years ago, nine Turks were killed.
The ship came to deliver aid to Gaza, breaking the Israeli blockade on the it. The ships were carrying 10,000 tons of goods, including school supplies, building materials and two large electricity generators.
The deterioration in relations with Turkey reached rock-bottom in May 2010, after the Marmara raid. The crisis led to a downgrading of official relations and the eventual expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Ankara in September 2011.
The reconciliation talks between Turkey and Israel, which had petered out for many months, were revived in early December when the Turks invited the Israeli negotiating team – national security adviser Yossi Cohen; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special envoy, Joseph Ciechanover; and Foreign Ministry director general Nissim Ben Sheetrit – to return to Istanbul.
During that round of talks, the Turks softened their position and lowered their compensation demands. Western diplomats said that the Turks had demanded $30 million, which was still double the $15 million Israel was prepared to pay.
In the weeks after the negotiators returned home, Netanyahu held several consultations with them, after which he decided to up Israel’s offer to $20 million. Western diplomats said Netanyahu even gave the team permission to go up to $3 million higher if necessary to secure an agreement. It’s not clear whether Turkey will be willing to show flexibility again in its stance and lower its compensation demands to match that being offered by Israel.
The money will not be paid directly to the wounded or the families of the dead. It will be deposited in a humanitarian fund and distributed to the victims in accordance with defined criteria.
Israeli commandos raided on a Gaza-bound aid ship called Mavi Marmara three years ago, nine Turks were killed.
The ship came to deliver aid to Gaza, breaking the Israeli blockade on the it. The ships were carrying 10,000 tons of goods, including school supplies, building materials and two large electricity generators.
The deterioration in relations with Turkey reached rock-bottom in May 2010, after the Marmara raid. The crisis led to a downgrading of official relations and the eventual expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Ankara in September 2011.
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