Israeli security cabinet approves deal with Turkey

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM

Israel's security cabinet has approved an agreement with Turkey that will allow the two countries to restore full diplomatic relations following a six-year hiatus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a Wednesday statement.

Seven members of the security cabinet voted in favor of the agreement with Turkey, Israel radio reported, while it was opposed by the cabinet’s most right-wing members, namely Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Education Minister Naftali Bennet and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.

After months of talks, the agreement was announced by Turkey and Israel on Monday and signed by the two countries’ foreign ministries one day later.

The deal calls for an exchange of ambassadors and stepped-up cooperation in several fields, including Israeli plans to export gas to European markets.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, for his part, praised the deal on Wednesday, saying it would also serve to ease the decade-long Israeli/Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip, going on to point out that Israel had agreed to allow Turkish humanitarian assistance to be delivered to Gaza via Israel’s port of Ashdod.

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel were suspended in 2010 after Israeli forces raided a convoy of aid ships attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, killing nine Turkish activists.

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM

After months of talks, the agreement was announced by Turkey and Israel on Monday and signed by the two countries’ foreign ministries one day later.

The deal calls for an exchange of ambassadors and stepped-up cooperation in several fields, including Israeli plans to export gas to European markets.

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel were suspended in 2010 after Israeli forces raided a convoy of aid ships attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, killing nine Turkish activists.