After six years of soured relations between them, Israel and Turkey agree to resume more normal relations. Turkey, the first Muslim state to recognize Israel in March 1949, has a generally strong relationship with Israel in many fields, until after the 2010 Mavi Marmara Flotilla incident when Israeli soldiers clash with Turkish and other nationals off the coast of Gaza. In the agreement, Israel apologizes for its role in the 2010 episode and provides $20m in compensation to the families of those killed and injured in the Flotilla incident. Significantly prompting the reconciliation is on-going instability on their respective borders emanating from the Syrian civil war and the growth of ISIS. Turkey likewise remains interested in acquiring Israel’s natural gas reserves. Viewing Turkey as an ally, Hamas rejects the Turkish-Israeli deal.
June 26, 2016
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