ANKARA: Negotiators are close to striking a long-awaited deal on compensation for Turkish victims of a deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza aid flotilla four years ago, a Turkish official said yesterday.
The May 2010 Israeli assault on the Turkish ship the Mavi Marmara while it was in international waters on its way to Gaza sent relations between Israel and Turkey to an all-time low.
Talks on compensation for the nine Turks killed in the raid began in March 2013 after Israel formally apologised to Turkey in a breakthrough brokered by US President Barack Obama.
Turkish foreign ministry undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu was in Israel earlier this month to discuss the terms of an agreement, which will help normalise relations between the Jewish state and its once closest Muslim ally.
The amount of compensation to be paid, as well as the legality of a final agreement, are believed to be sticking points but the two sides appear to be narrowing their differences.
Last week, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported that Israel has offered $20m in compensation to the families of those killed and wounded in the flotilla raid.
Diplomats quoted by the paper said Ankara had demanded $30m, but Israel was initially willing to give only $15m. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later decided to up Israel’s offer to $20m, with an extra $3m available “if necessary to secure an agreement”, the paper said.
AFP
