The reconciliation deal reached between Turkey and Israel, which ends six years of diplomatic standoff that started when Israel naval commandos shot dead nine Turkish activists travelling on an aid flotilla making for the Gaza coast, is a huge diplomatic victory for Ankara. The deal comes as a whiff of fresh air in a divided Middle East and will have a positive impact in reducing tension in a region reeling under multiple crises.
The deal, negotiated in Rome, paves the way for the restoration of full ambassador-level relations between the two countries. It is the result of the convergence of interests which are too important to be ignored or abandoned. For Tel Aviv, the gains are mainly economic because it clears the way for potentially lucrative contracts to transmit natural gas to Turkey and to Europe. The agreement could lead to eventual cooperation to exploit natural gas reserves worth hundreds of billions of dollars under the eastern Mediterranean.
For Turkey, it’s a vindication of the stance it has taken all these years. It didn’t dilute or change its demands and Israel was forced to agree to the terms Ankara has set. The attack on the aid flotilla by Israeli forces was an attack on the international community’s right to express solidarity with the oppressed and Turkey had severed relations because Israel refused to compensate the victims and take full responsibility for the aggression. One of the key components of the deal is that it provides for about $20m in compensation for the families of those killed and wounded aboard the Mavi Marmara in 2010.
Palestinians too will benefit from the deal because Turkey will be allowed to execute humanitarian projects in Palestinian areas and interfere in the humanitarian crisis. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in Ankara that Turkey will be allowed to ship aid for Gaza through the Israeli port of Ashdod and build a power station, hospital and desalination plant in the blockaded Gaza Strip. A first shipment of 10,000 tonnes of aid is likely to be sent next Friday. The agreement will also make it possible for Turkey to launch major projects in the West Bank including the Jenin industrial zone. On its part, Ankara will halt all proceedings against Israel in domestic and international courts.
Turkey is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and according to Turkish prime minister, the deal enjoys the support of the Palestinian government. While a solution to the Palestinian problem remains distant, the Turkish-Israeli rapprochement will bring some relief to Palestinians in the form of aid and humanitarian projects.
The reconciliation deal reached between Turkey and Israel, which ends six years of diplomatic standoff that started when Israel naval commandos shot dead nine Turkish activists travelling on an aid flotilla making for the Gaza coast, is a huge diplomatic victory for Ankara. The deal comes as a whiff of fresh air in a divided Middle East and will have a positive impact in reducing tension in a region reeling under multiple crises.
The deal, negotiated in Rome, paves the way for the restoration of full ambassador-level relations between the two countries. It is the result of the convergence of interests which are too important to be ignored or abandoned. For Tel Aviv, the gains are mainly economic because it clears the way for potentially lucrative contracts to transmit natural gas to Turkey and to Europe. The agreement could lead to eventual cooperation to exploit natural gas reserves worth hundreds of billions of dollars under the eastern Mediterranean.
For Turkey, it’s a vindication of the stance it has taken all these years. It didn’t dilute or change its demands and Israel was forced to agree to the terms Ankara has set. The attack on the aid flotilla by Israeli forces was an attack on the international community’s right to express solidarity with the oppressed and Turkey had severed relations because Israel refused to compensate the victims and take full responsibility for the aggression. One of the key components of the deal is that it provides for about $20m in compensation for the families of those killed and wounded aboard the Mavi Marmara in 2010.
Palestinians too will benefit from the deal because Turkey will be allowed to execute humanitarian projects in Palestinian areas and interfere in the humanitarian crisis. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in Ankara that Turkey will be allowed to ship aid for Gaza through the Israeli port of Ashdod and build a power station, hospital and desalination plant in the blockaded Gaza Strip. A first shipment of 10,000 tonnes of aid is likely to be sent next Friday. The agreement will also make it possible for Turkey to launch major projects in the West Bank including the Jenin industrial zone. On its part, Ankara will halt all proceedings against Israel in domestic and international courts.
Turkey is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and according to Turkish prime minister, the deal enjoys the support of the Palestinian government. While a solution to the Palestinian problem remains distant, the Turkish-Israeli rapprochement will bring some relief to Palestinians in the form of aid and humanitarian projects.
