Turkish parliament approves normalization deal with Israel


Turkey's parliament has approved the normalization deal reached with Israel last month, ending a six-year rift and paving the way for the restoration of full diplomatic ties.

The parliament voted to approve the pact early on Saturday before it closed for a summer recess.

Relations between Turkey and Israel declined in 2010 following an Israeli naval raid on a Turkish aid ship en route to deliver humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip. The raid killed 10 activists.

According to the new agreement, Israel will pay $20 million in 25 days as a compenstation for lost lives during Mavi Marmara flottila raid and Turkey will drop all cases against the incident.

Israeli soldiers will be exempt from legal and criminal responsibility and individual Israeli nationals also would not be held criminally or financially liable for the incident.

The deal was already approved in the Israeli Cabinet.