Israeli PM Eyes Deals with Turkey

After a six-year break in diplomatic relations, Turkey and Israel – two of the US' most important allies in the region –have announced their reconciliation. In two press conferences on June 27, one in Ankara, Turkey, held by the new Turkish PM Binalli Yildirim and the other one in Rome, Italy, held by the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu,  where he is on a visit, the two leaders announced that the two countries have reached an agreement to normalize relations, exchange ambassadors and return to business as usual. The exact details of the agreement are yet to be published. It has to be approved by the Israeli Security Cabinet 

The crisis erupted in May 2010 when Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish boat that led a flotilla headed to Gaza strip, trying to break through the Israeli naval blockade. During the raid, nine Turkish citizens were killed and Turkey-Israel relations plummeted. That ended a long run of cooperation on a range of issues, particularly through military cooperation.

Following the killings of nine of its citizens Turkey demanded an apology from Israel and a compensation of $20mn. Israel apologised three years ago and money was allocated for the compensation. But other obstacles prevented an agreement up to now.

The new agreement will enable Turkey to send humanitarian aid to Gaza though it will stop short of ending the naval blockade. Instead, all the Turkish shipments to Gaza will be transferred through Ashdod port, Israel, some 30 miles north of Gaza, and will be transported by road to the strip.

Promoting natural gas

During his press conference in Rome, Netanyahu said the reconciliation with Turkey would help promote the marketing of Israeli gas to European markets and in doing so will advance the Israeli economy. "The agreement with Turkey opens the door to cooperation on economic and energy issues including gas," Netanyahu was quoted saying on the Haaretz website. "That carries with it the possibility of strengthening the economy and the state treasury. This is a huge sum [from gas royalties and taxes]. The gas has to be pumped out from under the water but also [we have] to create to markets to sell it. Leviathan gas field can supply to the Egyptian market as well as the Turkish market and even supply through Turkey to Europe."

Ya'acov Zalel