Progress with Israel in talks for compensation

Presidential spokesperson ?brahim Kal?n has said progress was made with Israel on the issue of compensation for Mavi Marmara victims, adding that Turkey had not changed its three conditions for normalization of ties between the two countries. 

"There has been progress made about the second condition, the one with compensation, but we have not reached a point where we can ink it," Kal?n told reporters on Dec. 28 at a press conference. 

Kal?n reiterated that three conditions must be met by Israel for the normalization of relations between the two countries and that Turkey will not take a step back regarding the Palestinian cause. 

He said Israel has met first condition by apologizing to Turkey, and added that two more demands were still on the table: compensation for Mavi Marmara victims and the "lift or bend" of an embargo implemented by Israel on Gaza Strip.

"There is also the third condition. Lifting or easing the blockade on Gaza, namely to send humanitarian aid going to Gaza," said Kal?n. 

Relations with Israel have been tense since May 31, 2010, when Israeli forces raided a Gaza-bound flotilla of mainly Turkish activists, killing 10 people aboard the Mavi Marmara, the largest of the six vessels in the flotilla.

"Turkey will continue to play its role until a two-state solution is reached, and the Palestinian people have their own state. There cannot be permanent peace in the region until the Palestinian problem is solved," Kal?n added.

Meanwhile, cleaning up the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from the Tishrin Dam by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a positive development for Turkey, but fait accompli in the west of Euphrates or another region in Syria by the YPG is unacceptable, Kal?n...