Turkey to normalize ties only if Israel meets conditions

ANKARA

Relations with Israel will not normalize until the country fulfills Turkey's conditions, Turkish presidential spokesman said Monday.

Ankara cut its diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv in 2010 after Israeli naval forces raided a Turkish aid ship that was bringing humanitarian supplies to the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip.

In order to restore ties, Turkey demanded an apology from Israel, compensation for the families of those killed in the attack and the lifting of Israel’s eight-year blockade of Gaza.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told a press briefing Monday that only the fulfillment of these conditions will lead to normal relations with Israel.

"Turkey did not renounce these conditions and did not change these," Kalin said.

The first of the conditions was fulfilled in 2013 when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for the attack to then-Turkish prime minister and current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

However, the two countries have not resolved whether compensation should be paid to the families of the victims.

Kalin said there was a progress in compensation, adding: "We did not reach a point in putting a signature. Negotiations are continuing."

About Turkey's Gaza stand, Kalin said: "Turkey's position on liberation, justice and honor struggle of the people of Palestine is clear."

Turkey would continue to be in solidarity with Palestine, said Kalin.

Israel has maintained a tight blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007, when Palestinian group Hamas took over control of the territory, a move which has ravaged its economy and shaved off around 50 percent off its Gross Domestic Product.

'Autonomy'

"No one has the power to divide Turkey," the presidential spokesman said.

The Democratic Society Congress on Sunday called for autonomy in Turkey’s southeastern regions via constitutional reform.

Kalin said that separation, division and self-governance do not have a place in democratic societies.