Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 30
By Orkhan Guluzade – Trend:
The Israeli government has paid a compensation of $20 million to Turkey for the Freedom Flotilla incident, Hurriyet newspaper reports.
The money was transferred to the bank account of Turkey’s Ministry of Justice, according to the newspaper.
Turkey’s government will divide the compensation payment between families of victims of the Freedom Flotilla incident.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Foreign Ministry for appointing Turkey’s first ambassador to Israel after restoration of relations between the two countries. At the same time, Israel is expected to appoint its ambassador to Turkey.
Relations between Israel and Turkey deteriorated after the Freedom Flotilla incident in 2010, when a convoy of six ships, including one flying Turkey's flag, tried to approach the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and activists on board.
The flotilla was blocked and stormed by Israeli forces, with eight Turkish citizens being killed as a result.