Russia not happy with Turkey-Israel rapprochement

By Anees Barghouthi

JERUSALEM

Russia expressed its reservations about rapprochement efforts between Turkey and Israel, a major Israeli newspaper reported Friday.

According to Haaretz, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met a senior Israeli official in Moscow and told him that Russia is dissatisfied with Israel’s pending rapprochement with Turkey.

Ankara had cut its diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv in 2010 after Israeli naval forces raided a Turkish aid ship that was bringing humanitarian supplies to the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip.

In order to restore ties, Turkey demanded an apology from Israel, compensation for the families of those killed in the attack and the lifting of Israel’s eight-year blockade on Gaza.

By Anees Barghouthi

JERUSALEM

Russia expressed its reservations about rapprochement efforts between Turkey and Israel, a major Israeli newspaper reported Friday.

According to Haaretz, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met a senior Israeli official in Moscow and told him that Russia is dissatisfied with Israel’s pending rapprochement with Turkey.

Ankara had cut its diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv in 2010 after Israeli naval forces raided a Turkish aid ship that was bringing humanitarian supplies to the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip.

In order to restore ties, Turkey demanded an apology from Israel, compensation for the families of those killed in the attack and the lifting of Israel’s eight-year blockade on Gaza.