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Report: Turkey wants Israeli arms as part of reconciliation deal
A Kuwaiti-based publication claims that Turkey wants to purchase Israeli military hardware as part of the reconciliation deal being negotiated between the two countries, which would see diplomatic ties restored after a six year hiatus.
In 2010, the previously warm relationship between Israel and Turkey deteriorated and diplomatic relations were ceded after the deaths of ten Turkish citizens who were killed whilst trying to prevent Israeli commandos taking over a Gaza-bound protest ship, the Mavi Marmara. In 2013, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paved the way for reconciliation by issuing an apology. Although it is thought that arrangements were made over a compensation deal for the families of those killed aboard the Mavi Marmara, a number of outstanding issues remain.
Negotiators are thought to have been meeting during the past several weeks in Geneva, to discuss the points of contention, which are thought to include Turkey’s demand for free access to the Gaza Strip and Israel’s demand that Hamas be expelled fully from Turkey.
However, the Kuwaiti-based newspaper al-Jarida says that Turkey’s Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz has sent envoys to Israel to discuss the possible sale of Israeli weapons including unmanned aerial vehicles as part of the reconciliation package. Apparently, Israeli officials are demanding to know whether Turkey would use such weapons against Kurdish rebels near the Turkey-Syria border. Turkey has yet to respond to Israel’s request.
Earlier this week, the popular Turkish daily Hurriyet reported that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the cabinet that the reconciliation deal was close to being concluded. He is quoted saying that Turkish and Israeli officials could make a joint announcement “in the coming days.” However, Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon took a more cautious tone this week, saying, “I am not sure if we can arrive to an agreement,” if Turkey continues to back the likes of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. He added, “They must comply with the terms of our agreement so that we can overcome these obstacles.”