Turkey accuses Netanyahu of delaying 'Mavi Marmara' compensation agreement

Turkish diplomatic sources claim deal has been finalized but still awaits Prime Minister Netanyahu's final approval.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Le Mavi Marmara, symbole d'une relation israélo-turque dégradée (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Le Mavi Marmara, symbole d'une relation israélo-turque dégradée
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Text for the compensation agreement between Turkey and Israel, for the families of those killed in Israel's raid of the Mavi Marmara in 2010, has been finalized but awaits Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's approval, Turkish media reported on Monday.
The Hurriyet daily quoted a diplomatic source as saying that the agreement was finalized and that the document has been submitted to both countries' prime ministers, but that Netanyahu has avoided ratifying the deal for over two months.
In March 2013, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Netanyahu agreed to normalize relations after a three-year deadlock. Both countries have reportedly made full preparations for the normalization of diplomatic relations, having even named candidates for diplomatic positions.
Turkish sources cited domestic Israeli political concerns and pressure related to recently suspended peace talks with the Palestinians as possibly contributing to Netanyahu's hesitance to conclude the agreement.