Turkish parliament approves Israel reconciliation deal

E-Paper | February 23, 2026

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

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

Relations between the former allies imploded in 2010 following an Israeli naval raid on a Turkish aid ship trying to breach Israel's blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

The raid killed 10 Turkish activists. Under the terms of the reconciliation agreement, Israel will pay a "lump sum" of $20 million in compensation to the victims within 25 days.

Individual Israeli nationals also would not be held criminally or financially liable for the incident. The Israeli Cabinet has already approved the deal.

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Aug 20, 2016 01:10pm

I wish Pakistan follows suit.

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Abdullah

Aug 20, 2016 01:22pm

We need to befriend israel too.....foreign policy should be changed!

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sbk

Aug 20, 2016 01:56pm

Friendship with everybody, including Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Ind should be the policy; Not just China only.

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Ahmed bin Babar

Aug 20, 2016 01:58pm

Good move...

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atheist

Aug 20, 2016 02:03pm

No one is permanent enemy in this world especially a country having superfine brains.

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Muhammad Abdul Moiz

Aug 20, 2016 02:18pm

We dont even accept Israel as a country. How can we befriended with Israel? Israel has occupied Palestine. Pakistan's stance is good. Money is not everything.

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Krishnan

Aug 20, 2016 02:53pm

Good to see positive comments except some ivory tower posts.pakistan should realize that whether saudi.china or turkey they will do what is good for them-leaving you holding the can!wake up and follow hoodboy and other sane voices.

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Ali jee

Aug 20, 2016 03:32pm

@Shaukat Ali Khan so what u saying Pakistan should be more closely to Israel why not Israel close to Palestine and life of little children be safe

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javed shafi

Aug 20, 2016 04:13pm

I hope sense prevails and Pakistan also follow in the footsteps of Turkey.Lets be honest a country like Saudi Arabia is dealing with them and various other Muslim countries.Lets move on.Turkey very gutsy.Good move to restore trade etc etc. Pakistan grow up move on in the 21st century.

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ozzy

Aug 20, 2016 04:13pm

@Krishnan so your gonna tell us what to do. How about u do the same and let go of kashmiri. Its left your grasp a lont time ago. It will make the region more peaceful. How about that?. Sane enough?

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Syed Ali

Aug 20, 2016 10:23pm

@Muhammad Abdul Moiz What difference it makes if you accept it or not; Israel is a reality just like Pakistan is a reality for India. It is strategically important for a country to have workable relations with countries it shares border, culture and religion. A good move by Erdogan to have good relations with Israel and Russia than to have relations with a superpower to undermine democracy for its strategic interest.

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Ghani K

Aug 21, 2016 03:48am

@Shaukat Ali Khan - get visa if Israeli would give you one. Then visit West Bank , Gaza and see for yourself what Palestinians are going through, people have been corralled like cattle for the last 70 years.

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Alex Cohen Jerusalem

Aug 21, 2016 05:16am

I am ex-Pakistani moved to Israel in 1969, and request Pakistan and other muslim countries to let seat down settle all dispute with Arab. Have peace in region, we want to visit our homeland Pakistan.

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Ahsan Gul

Aug 21, 2016 05:28am

@Ali jee - Shaukat is making sense. You can trap more flies with honey than vinegar. It will be surprised to you that Saudi Arabia and some other middle eastern countries have diplomatic relations with Israel. We must grasp time to move forward. Once we have relations with Israel then we may have upper hand on our sub continent conflict.

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sam1

Aug 21, 2016 06:16am

Unless a viable solution to Palestinian self rule and occupation is resolved, Israel should be kept on notice against forcible occupation of Palestinian land in West Bank and Gaza. Israel has been killing innocent civilians now for many years.

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Akram

Aug 21, 2016 08:32am

@ozzy stop ur obsession with kashmir.. that will give u peace.

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Ali-indian

Aug 21, 2016 04:25pm

Does turky have a choice

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citizen

Aug 21, 2016 07:52pm

Why we are not condemning Turkey for this treachery?

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Not a zealot

Aug 22, 2016 06:31am

@ozzy :No it won't! Would you like evidence?

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Not a zealot

Aug 22, 2016 06:31am

@Akram :BEST Post!

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Ali

Aug 22, 2016 08:45am

Unless Israel Accepts Palestinian statehood, we must not follow suit. Our stand should be on principals and not be dicatated by anyone. we should legitimise an occupation. People get some lessons in history..

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