There are huge gaps between Israel and Turkey over the level of compensation to be paid to the families of those killed in the Marmara incident. While Turkey is demanding $1 million for each person killed, Israel is prepared to pay $100,000. Nine Turks died when Israeli commandos boarded the Marmara, which was part of a flotilla attempting to break the Gaza blockade in May 2010.
Minister of Justice Tsipi Livni is mediating between Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Israel. She has spoken to Davutoglu over the past few days and the two countries have agreed to set up a joint committee to discuss the amount of compensation to be paid. Israel will be represented on the joint committee by National Security Council head Yaakov Amidror and Adv. Joseph Ciechanover.
Hebrew daily "Yediot Ahronot" reports this morning that the Turks are angry with Livni after she labeled Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan an "Arab leader." The newspaper also reported that dozens of Israelis have already gone on vacation in Turkey's Antalya region after the reconciliation between the two countries. Danny and Hadar from Haifa are quoted as saying, "There's no reason to be afraid and I don't feel like the traitor that some websites are calling those who travel to Turkey."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 27, 2013
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