Turkish Aid Group Opposes Dropping Legal Action Over Mavi Marmara

ISTANBUL (Reuters) —

A Turkish relief agency said on Thursday it would oppose what it called an imminent Israeli offer to pay compensation for eight Turkish nationals killed in its Gaza-bound vessel Mavi Marmara in exchange for dropping lawsuits over the attack.

In a rapprochement brokered by Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan last year and pledged compensation to the bereaved or hurt.

Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said on Thursday it had been in close contact with Turkish government officials and had heard Israel and Turkey were about to finalize the terms of a formal settlement. IHH has been linked to terrorist organizations.

“We are warning the authorities against this clear violation of global law principles,” Ugur Yildirim, a lawyer for IHH, told reporters.

There was no immediate comment from either the Turkish or Israeli governments.

Israel is facing public and private prosecutions in Turkey over the killings but has previously dismissed the cases as “political theater.”

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