Turkey demands Israel pay $21 million in compensation to families of the 9 crew members killed on Mavi Marmara if it wants the Turkish embassy in Israel to be reopened. Turkey may sign the compensation agreement after the municipal polls of March 30, Trend reports.
Israel attacked Mavi Marmara of the Freedom Flotilla in May 2010. The ship was sailing towards the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid. Israel insists that its soldiers were defending themselves.
Turkey cancelled joint naval drills with Israel in July 2010. The two states withdrew their ambassadors in September 2011.
