Baku, Azerbaijan, May 31
Trend:
A progress is being observed in the restoration of relations between Turkey and Israel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a press conference, the TRT Haber news channel reported May 31.
Relations between Israel and Turkey deteriorated after the Freedom Flotilla incident in 2010, when a convoy of six ships, including one flying the Turkish 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.
Erdogan said at the time that Israel should apologize for the Freedom Flotilla incident, pay compensation to the families of those killed and end the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
"We wanted apologies for normalization of the relations, and we got them," Erdogan said. "Payment of the compensation is also coming to an end. The third condition was lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip. Palestine is facing problems with electricity and water supply. We have made several proposals to eliminate them. The events are developing in a positive way. If we can resolve these issues, Turkey will build schools, hospitals [there]."
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