Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki
Ramallah (IINA) – Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Tuesday welcomed plans to normalize diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel after a six-year break, Anadolu Agency reported.
“We are pleased with the Turkey-Israel agreement. We emphasize that the Turkey’s efforts on Gaza should be carried out over Palestinian government,” Al-Maliki told Palestinian public radio.
He said Palestine welcomed Turkey’s efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and lifting the blockade of the enclave.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that more than 10,000 tons of supplies will sail to Gaza from Turkey before the Eid al-Fitr holiday in early July.
Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel were suspended in 2010 after Israeli commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara – a Turkish aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip – in international waters.
The attack on the six civilian vessels, which had been trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, resulted in the death of nine Turkish citizens and left another 30 injured, one of whom later succumbed to his injuries.
In the aftermath of the attack, Turkey demanded a formal apology from Israel, compensation for the families of those killed and the lifting of Gaza blockade.