LOC10:32
07:32 GMT
GAZA, May 12 (KUNA) -- Israel announced on Monday that it will begin normalizing relations with Turkey in a matter of days after the return of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his visit to Japan.
The normalization comes after four years of tension between the two countries caused by the Israeli attack on the Turkish (Mavi Marmara) flotilla carrying Turkish activists supporting Gaza in May 2010, killing and injuring dozens of those on board. Turkey withdrew its Ambassador to Israel after the incident, and demanded the same from the Hebrew state.
Israel has agreed to pay compensation of USD 21 million to the victims' families, according to Radio Israel. The two sides will reach a final agreement regarding compensations once Netanyahu has returned, the radio added.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously said that Israel must pay the compensation and end the siege on Gaza, if it really wanted to normalize relations with his country.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu meanwhile said in a press conference that the Turkish-Israeli negotiations are coming out with positive results and have solved big issues between the two countries.
Israel has requested that Turkey drop charges pressed against Israeli soldiers and army officers involved in the attack on the flotilla in order to proceed with the normalization procedures. Moreover, the two countries would send back their ambassadors as part of the agreement.
The flotilla was on a journey organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, and was attacked in international waters in the Mediterranean. The ships were carrying humanitarian aid and construction material, and were aiming to break the Israeli-Egyptian siege on the Gaza Strip.(end)
mt.ag