Breakthrough in Israel-Turkish Relations; Natural Gas Negotiations Expected

After a 5-year diplomatic crisis, Israel and Turkey are about to normalize their diplomatic relationship and exchange Ambassadors, according to reports this evening (Thursday) by Israeli media.

The breakthrough was achieved during negotiations that took place in Zurich, Switzerland, earlier this week. The two countries reached a tentative agreement according to which Israel will pay Turkey $20 million in compensation for the Turkish citizens killed on the Mavi Marmara boat, which led a flotilla that tried to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and was overtaken by Israeli commandos. Turkey will ban Hamas' activity in its territory and will expel a senior military operative that operates from Istanbul; the Turkish parliament will pass a law that will annul legal claims against IDF personnel who took part in the flotilla incident.

After the understandings are translated into a signed agreement, Israel and Turkey, according to the report, will start negotiations on natural gas cooperation.

According to the report, Israel will seek to export natural gas to Europe through Turkey via a pipeline from Israel to Turkey and from Turkey to Europe.

Local Turkish market was not mentioned in the reports. However, that is only a preliminary report and its accuracy, regarding natural gas cooperation, is questionable.

Ya'acov Zalel