Israeli cabinet to discuss deal with Turkey: reports

By Turgut Alp Boyraz

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel’s security cabinet is set to convene next week to consider an agreement with Turkey, Haaretz daily reported Thursday.

Unnamed senior official speaking to the newspaper said the agreement would be finalized Sunday and the security cabinet would approve the deal next Wednesday.

Senior officials said the official signing would take place several weeks later, according to Haaretz.

Another daily, Jerusalem Post, also claimed diplomats from the two countries would meet in Europe on Sunday.

Turkish-Israeli relations were suspended in 2010 after Israeli commandos stormed a Turkish humanitarian aid ship, Mavi Marmara, as it attempted to lift Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Ten Turkish activists were killed.

Ankara demanded a formal apology, monetary compensation for the families of those killed and that Israel lift the blockade against Gaza.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2013 voiced his "regret" for what happened, the other two conditions have yet to be met.

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Tuncay Kayaoglu contributed to this report from Istanbul