Turkey, Israel reportedly to sign reconciliation deal

(JNS.org)—Turkey and Israel are reportedly expected to sign a reconciliation deal before September, the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

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“I think we will finalize the issue before parliament’s recess. Israel has met our terms, paving the way to normalize ties. Therefore, we must do this as soon as possible,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters on Wednesday.

Conditions of the agreement to restore diplomatic relations were met by both countries last month following a six-year breach in relations, but finalization of the deal was delayed by a failed coup attempt by a faction in the Turkish Armed Forces.

Turkish-Israeli ties broke down in 2010 when nine Turkish militants were killed in clashes after they had attacked Israeli commandos who boarded the Mavi Marmara ship that was attempting to breach the blockade on Gaza.

As part of the new reconciliation deal, Israel agreed to give $20 million in compensation for the families of the Gaza flotilla incident.