Ankara said to demand unrestricted access to Gaza
Source: Times of Israel
Turkish paper says key demand in reconciliation talks with Israel is free passage to deliver aid to Palestinian territory
Turkey is reportedly demanding that Israel give it unrestricted access to the Gaza Strip to deliver goods to the blockaded Palestinian territory, as a condition for restoring normal ties between the two countries, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported Saturday.
The report claimed that Turkish officials wanted free shipping access to Gaza in order to provide aid to the impoverished territory. A government source told the newspaper Ankara would not back down from the demand and if it were not accepted “the entire negotiation process may collapse.”
The paper said Hamas was glad of the reconciliation talks between Jerusalem and Ankara, as it would welcome an opening of the Israeli naval blockade on the Strip.
It further asserted that relations could have been restored as early as 2013, but that Israel had until recently not showed particular keenness to resolve the dispute. It cited Egypt’s reemergence as a regional ally to Israel and Jerusalem’s belief at one time that Turkey’s ruling AKP party may be driven out of power — since proven false — as reasons for the delay.
Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/ankara-said-to-demand-unrestricted-access-to-gaza/