Following Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s apology to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the question remains how much the deal will cost Israel. Jerusalem has agreed to compensate the families of nine Turkish nationals killed in the commando raid on the Marvi Marmara. Israel is willing to allocate a total of $1 million for the deal while Ankara appears to be looking for $1 million per family. The funds will not be paid directly to the families, but to a humanitarian fund headed by the Turkish government.

Israeli has mentioned $100,000 compensation per family while Erdogan is looking for $1 million each. Israel has cited that when Turkey compensates a family of one who dies in the line of duty, the government awards 125,000 Turkish liras, which amounts to $70,000.

Justice Minister (The Movement) Tzipi Livni spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and they decided to establish a high-level committee that will decide on a mutually acceptable sum. Former Turkish Ambassador to Israel Feridun Sinirlioglu will represent Turkey and National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror will represent Israel.

In the meantime, dozens of Israelis have booked flights and will be traveling to Antalya during Pesach as they happily return to one of the favorite vacation spots for traveling Israelis, Turkey.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)