Israel says it reached preliminary accord to restore Turkey ties

Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold said on December 14 that Israel always “desires to have stable relationships with Turkey” and “constantly seeks ways to reach that target”.

Israel and Turkey have reached an understanding that could lead to the restoration of ties between the two former allies, an Israeli official said Thursday. This package is subject to signing by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and president Tayyip Erdogan.

Israel will pay compensation for a deadly incident in 2010, Israeli radio reported.

Under the agreement, Israel will create a compensation fund for the families of the 10 Turkish citizens killed by Israeli forces on the Mavi Marmara in 2010.

Addressing the current heightened tensions, the State Department warning states that “since October 2015, there have been frequent clashes between protesters and Israeli authorities, checkpoints and barriers have been set up by Israeli security forces that restrict movement of residents, and acts of terrorism have taken place, resulting in death and injury, including to US citizens”.

A Muslim member of NATO, Turkey long had been Israel’s most significant Muslim friend, and the deterioration of relations between the two nations intensified the Jewish state’s isolation in the region, more unstable in light of the Arab Spring and other troubles in the Middle East. He withdrew Turkey’s ambassador to Israel and cancelled joint military exercises.

“From Israel’s point of view, the lifting of the Gaza blockade is not going to happen”.

Ankara would then drop all legal claims against the Israeli Defense Forces in connection with the incident, with Turkey and Israel renewing their diplomatic relations and returning ambassadors. The official said Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu represented Turkey at the talks in Switzerland.

Turkey buys more than half of its natural gas from Russian Federation and has been looking for a new supplier since Vladimir Putin ramped up his rhetoric against Ankara, accusing Turkey of “war crimes”.

A leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas said to be based in Turkey will be banned from operating from the country.