TIMES OF ISRAEL
Ending years of rancor, Israel and Turkey reboot relationship
by Raoul Wootliff
June 27, 2016

Israel and Turkey announced Monday the terms of a deal ending years of diplomatic stalemate between the eastern Mediterranean countries and heralding the normalization of ties. Addressing one of the most controversial aspects of the deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip would remain in place following the deal but that Turkey would be able to send supplies to Gaza via the Israeli port of Ashdod. Netanyahu made the comments in Rome, broadcast live in Israel, after Israel and Turkey agreed on the highly anticipated pact. His Turkish counterpart, Binali Yildirim, made a simultaneous announcement in Ankara. The agreement would secure the “continuation of the maritime security blockade off the Gaza Strip coast,” Netanyahu said. READ MORE